Obituary of Raymond "Ray" Joseph Lisitza

Raymond Lisitza, beloved husband of Antoinette Lisitza, died at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre on May 21st, 2014 with his wife Toni by his side. He was 84 years of age. Raymond was the first child Joe and Mary (nee Zip) Lysitza (who had 5 children) born on the family farm near Tway, Saskatchewan in August 18th, 1929. Raymond grew up on the family farm and completed his high school at Kaminka School in Tway. He had many memories growing up on the farm, kind of a daredevil when it came to riding the horses and driving cars according to his aunties who talked fondly of him. He loved farming and going to the farm. He was involved in two serious accidents which could have taken him earlier (one with Walter Gural moving farm equipment with an old Chevy 1956 1 ton, and one when he was going to do some fall work on his and Larry's farm in Doremy with his ‘64 Ford Galaxy 500) Ray took on his first job at Crystal Springs (RS station call letters) as a CPR clerk/agent under the direction of T.C.B. Austin in late October 1949. He found that he loved trains and the railroad. From that time on he became a CPR agent and work in a number of stations. He worked with the CPR railroad for 38 years finally ending up in Bredenbury and retiring as a CPR Operator on March 1st 1989 He moved a total of 21 times with the railroad as they were either closing down stations or he had to bid out on another job due to his seniority with the company. From the time he had his family he had moved 19 times. Raymond took up farming North of Yorkton between the Ebenezer and Golitz area after he retired, as well as a business with Rawleigh and Golden Pride. Ray met and dated Toni Gural in the Bonne Madone area. He probably spent many an hour on their farm and taking Toni to a number of dances around the area. Swept her off her feet you might say. They married in July 16, 1955 in Wakaw, Saskatchewan and had the reception out on the Gural family farm and then the Lysitza farm the next day. They were blessed with four children, Jerry, Martin, Gail and Francis. Besides raising a family, Raymond had many interests such as gardening, Lions Club, Church, carpentry, restoring cars, tractors, hunting and the love of being with family, and friends. He knew many people. He kept in touch with family and friends taking time out to travel to weddings, anniversary, funerals and special occasions, and loved to socialize with people. Some of the things Ray would do as forms of entertainment were curling and hockey during the winter and ball during the summer. Later on Ray would occasionally go out with his kids to golf. His eyes were sharp and he would generally strike the ball well even if he didn't have great swing. He was a very good curler and passed on some of his skills with his children. Raymond and Toni spent many hours with Francis their youngest son in Saskatoon when he became ill. Those where moments when Ray would have given anything to see Francis get well again. Francis's passing brought much sorrow to his heart at that time in 1995. His grandchildren were a special blessing in his eyes as he would light up every time he saw his children, his grandchildren, and would take time out just to welcome or hold them. Ray welled up with pride every time he was around them. Ray leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Toni of Yorkton, SK; three children and their families, two sons, Jerry (Bonnie) Lisitza of Preeceville, SK and their children Ashton, Bryce, and Darnell; son, Martin (Ruth) Lisitza of Estevan, SK and their children, Laura (Nathan Gerow and their child, Jack), Nadine (Danen Mager) their children Dana, Thomas), and daughter, Gail (James) Girbav of Moose Jaw, SK and their children Adam, and Amber; one sister, Olive (Ervin) Hilkewich and one brother, Larry Lysitza as well as numerous nieces, nephews relatives and friends. Ray was predeceased by his parents, Joe and Mary (nee Zip), parents in law, Stephen and Mary Gural, a son, Frank Lisitza, one sister, Eileen Deakin, one brother, Orest & wife Dolly Lisitza, and sister in law, Linda Lysitza. Service Information Tuesday, May 27th, 2014 11:00am, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens