Obituary of John Bohay

BOHAY - Mr. John Bohay, formerly of Ituna and Melville, widower of Katherine passed away on November 9, 2012 at Wainwright, Alberta. He was 94 years of age. John Bohay, the son of John Sr. and Helen Bohay, was born on October 24, 1918 in the Lunnville district; a small community about 15 miles northwest of Ituna SK. In 1922 his parents purchased a farm about 14 miles northeast of Lipton Sk. where John helped out. In 1943 John met and married Katherine Matwezian. Together they purchased a farm a mile and half west of his family home. In 1956 they moved to Dauphin, MB where they resided for 3 years before returning to the Ituna district in 1959. John had many interesting careers over the years from tin smith, road construction, boiler operator and custodian at Ituna high school and the hospital. John and Kay moved to Melville in 1975 where he worked as a plumber and later in 1976 he started working at the St. Paul's Lutheran Home where he worked until his retirement in 1984. The one career that he was most proud of was working on the Tobin Lake Hydro Dam. He was hoping to go back and see it one more time. John and Kay then moved to Regina for a short time where Kay passed away in 2001. John then moved to Wainwright, AB to be closer to his family. John had many hobbies especially wood working. He loved building things and his children were always happy when he came to visit, as they had a job jar waiting for him which he was more than happy to do. If you didn't think there was anything to fix or build he always found something or created a new project. John was also involved with the church in Ituna, Melville and Regina. He was a member of the Seniors Centers in both Ituna and Melville. As always, he involved himself in projects at the lodge where he lived, building decorative flower containers and many other wood working projects that residents needed. He enjoyed socializing and loved dancing. The lodge had dances where he met Marcella, his wife of 6 1/2 years. Through the years they enjoyed each other's company and took many trips together. His greatest joy was keeping in touch with family and friends. John led a long, happy and healthy life. He was a very loving and compassionate man that was willing to give anyone a helping hand. Predeceased by his parents; wife Katherine; sister Katie (Joe Shull); brother Metro (Mary) Bohay; and son-in-law Jim Speers. He leaves to cherish his memory wife Marcella; his four children Orest (Joyce) Bohay of Kamloops, BC; Hope Speers of Okotoks, AB; Vikki Williams of Calgary, AB; Michael (Shelley) Bohay of Wainwright, AB; 11 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren; also his brother Peter (Emily) Bohay of Regina, SK. John will be sadly missed by numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The prayer service was held on Friday, November 16, 2012 and the funeral service on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ituna with Very Rev. Archpriest Peter Wasylenko officiating. The responses were led by William & Ann Kozey. The cross bearer was Brandon Watson and the banner bearers were Brendan Bohay and Keiran Bohay. The interment followed in Holy Ghost Parish Cemetery with Sean Williams, Warren Speers, Stacy Speers, Jonathan Bohay, Jeremy Bohay and Trevor Bohay serving as the casket bearers. Memorials in memory of John may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting www.baileysfuneralhome.com Vichnaya Pamyat! Eternal memory! Funeral arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home. Interment Details Holy Ghost Parish Cemetery - Ituna