Obituary of John Broda

BRODA - John Broda known as "Sliding John" was born on August 31, 1918 in the Killaly District of Saskatchewan, a son to William and Katie (nee Englot) Broda. John attended Wymer School and helped his parents on the family farm. After receiving his education he remained home and in 1942 he rented some land and started his own farming operation. On February 8, 1944 John was united in marriage to Anne Slobodzian at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Grayson. The couple continued to farm the rented land, then purchased their own farm in the Wallacetown area. John spent many hours clearing and plowing the land and as most farmers became a jack of all trades. In 1983 the couple retired and moved into an apartment in Melville, but John continued to share his farming knowledge with his sons and his nephews who were also farmers. Town life was not yet for John so in 1986 they moved back to the farm. In 1990 they moved to the house on Main Street and in 2007 John and Anne moved into the Legion Manor. He was a sportsman. He played ball in his younger years and he became an avid fan of the Toronto Blue Jays and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He loved the sport of curling. He was one of the first in the area to deliver his rocks with the long slide thus he acquired the nickname "Sliding John". He was a common sight on curling sheets in and around Melville. From his infamous "8 ender" in 1961 to his final games on the ice in the early 90's, John always enjoyed throwing some rocks and playing in a bonspiel or two. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing and filled his freezer with deer, moose, ducks, geese & fish. Once retired he took up a new sport, golf, and could frequently be seen hitting the ball on the Melville Golf course. Farming was still in this blood and he satisfied the need by gardening. On the long winter evenings John would play cards with friends and neighbors. When there was a need for refreshments John would appear with a bottle of wine from his wine cupboard. As the years went by John perfected his wine-making skills. His accolades came in 1994 when his Raspberry Wine won the provincial award for best homemade fruit wine. That was a good year, as his Gooseberry Wine was also recognized for the best homemade fruit wine in the nation. After spending many years of driving to Crooked Lake on Sundays for fishing John and Anne bought a cabin at Indian Point. The Cabin became a gathering place for the family. Weekends the yard would fill up with grandchildren and adults. A great deal of fun was enjoyed at the cabin. Everyone enjoyed sitting by the fire at night; the adults just talking and the grandchildren running around, having fun playing games and catching crayfish. John was always interested in what his grandchildren were doing and was frequently seen cheering them on at ball games, hockey games or what ever activity they were involved in. John was a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus, member of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, United Grain Growers, Co-op and a member of the Melville Senior Club. John entered his eternal rest, with members of his family at his side, at the age of 92 years on Sunday, May 1, 2011 at St. Peter's Hospital to join his beloved wife Anne who passed away on March 26, 2011. Predeceased by his wife Anne; parents William and Katie; brothers William (in infancy), Mike and Tony; sisters Jenny and Anne; sisters-in-law Gladys, Mary and Cecilia; brothers-in-law Claude Balaberda and Jack Cameron; son-in-law Bob Sample; grandchildren Trenton Broda, Jay Broda, Amanda Knutt; and great-grandchild Cruze Osicki. John leaves to cherish his memory his children; Bob (Judy) Broda of Medicine Hat, Donna Sample of Edmonton, Betty (Andy) Osicki of Melville, Kathy (Darwyn) Worsley of Tobin Lake, Lorna (Gerry) Quennelle of Tobin Lake, Debbie (Ron) Knutt of Regina, John (Kelly) Broda of Hearst, ON, Cheryl (Bert) Bartake of Melville, Brenda (Bruce) Penner of Saskatoon and Bill (Christy) Broda of Melville, 35 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren, brothers Henry Broda of Melville and Joe (Theresa) Broda of Melville as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Prayer services were held on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. from St. Henry's Roman Catholic Church in Melville with Rosallie Woloschuk and David Hudy as the Presiders. Ray Yost and guitarist Len Varga led in the hymns "like A Shepherd" and "Sing A New Song". Matt Bartake gave a tribute about his grandfather. The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, May 6, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. from St. Henry's Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Antoni Degutis O.M.I. as the Celebrant. Chrissy Woodcock and Denise Worsley - McClelland did the readings and Gillian Potter read the intercessions Gift bearers were Eryn Sample, Rhiannon McClelland, Jorja McClelland and Lily Hayes, Gerry Quennelle was the Eucharistic Minister. Organist Len Gadica led the congregation in singing of the hymns, "Here I Am Lord", "I Will Never Forget You", "Peace Is Flowing Like A River" and "Amazing Grace". The crossbearer was Kingsley Hayes. Members of the Knight of Columbus formed an honor guard. Honorary bearers were everyone who knew and loved John. The interment followed in the St. Henry's Parish Cemetery with John Worsley, Johnathon Broda, Darin Osicki, Jeffrey Quennelle, Matt Bartake, Corie Knutt, Robert Sample and Dave Penner as the casketbearers. Arrangements were by Bailey's Funeral Home, Melville. Service Information Friday, May 6th, 2011 1:00pm, St. Henry's Roman Catholic Church Interment Details St. Henry's Roman Catholic Parish Cemetery