John ZAHARA
October 18, 1924 - April 15, 2015

After a long and happy life, John passed away on April 15, 2015. John was born to Alex and Veronica (Smytanik) Zahara in Kalyna, Saskatchewan on October 18, 1924. On August 2, 1947 he married Olga Matushynee of Foxford, Saskatchewan. Soon after the newlyweds moved to Welland, Ontario where John worked at Atlas Steel. Two years later, John and Olga returned to Kalyna in order to work on the family farm. From Kalyna they moved to Olga’s parents farm in Foxford. Their next move was into the town of Foxford so the kids could go to school there. John worked for the Saskatchewan Timber Board and then was employed by the Department of Northern Resources (DNR) where he was part of the crew opening northern Saskatchewan, building roads to LaRonge and FlinFlon. Later he joined the Dept of Highways in order to work near home and family. In 1968 they moved to the city of Prince Albert. John retired in 1984 with a total of 28 years of service. John and Olga bought a nice place in southern Texas and enjoyed 18 winters there, Square Dancing and Round Dancing up to 4 times a week. Their daughter and son in law bought a place just a block away and they enjoyed 6 winters together. Although it’s a year since John was taken back to P.A. by air ambulance, their many friends asked their daughter about them almost daily. During the last year of his life he was able to attend various family gatherings and greatly enjoyed his 90th birthday celebration. John is survived by Olga, his loving wife of 67 years. He is also mourned by his three children and their families.
Daughter Gloria and son–in-law Dave Hogeweide, grandson Tim.
Son Glen and daughter-in-law Dot, grandson Tod, his wife Kelsie and great grandchildren Micah, Jordyn, Jericho, and Eden. Also granddaughter Tammy, her husband Glen Wuttunee and great grandson Kai.
Son Rick and daughter-in-law Terry-Lynn, grandchildren Justine and Alex.
He is also survived by brother Tony (Mary); sister Helen (Ukrainec) as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother and father Veronica and Alex Zahara; sister Anne and her husband Sam Hoko; sister Rose and her husband Bill Ukrainec; brother-in-law Steve Ukrainec and special nephew Bill Hoko. Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at St. Georges Anglican Church, 1104 – 4th Street East, Prince Albert, SK with Archdeacon Andrew Hoskin officiating. Interment will be held at Prince Albert Memorial Gardens. In lieu of other tributes, memorial donations can be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, #1 – 2217 Hanselman Court, Saskatoon, SK S7L 9Z9 or to a charity of donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray's Funeral Chapel, (306-922-4729).