Obituary of Silvio Bertoia

Silvio Bertoia passed away at the Lloydminster Hospital, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on April 26, 2019 at the age of 82 years.

Silvio is lovingly remembered by: his wife, Gail Bertoia; his children, Sherry (Len) Maryniak, Sandi (Alan) Murray and Vicki Bertoia (Real Ouellet); his grandchildren,  Rick (Terri) Murray, Lindsay (Tyler) Stella, Dylan Murray, David Maryniak, Jessie Maryniak, Alex Maryniak, Chris Maryniak, Shae Bertoia, Jace Bertoia; his great-grandchildren, Rory, Quinn and Brooklyn; his four brothers and two sisters. 

Silvio was predeceased by: two sisters and one brother. 

The Memorial Service for Silvio will be held from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church, Cut Knife, Saskatchewan on Friday, May 3, 2019 at 2:00 PM. 

In  lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Silvio may be made to Canadian Cancer Society or the donor's charity of choice.

Silvio's memorial card can be viewed or downloaded from the link below: 

https://indd.adobe.com/view/92309cc5-df28-4991-bc0e-a99e46e36350

In Memory and Tribute – Silvio Bertoia (April 25, 1937-April 26, 2019)

Son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend and farmer. He was the 5th child born to Angelo and Elsie – 5 more followed so he was a true middle child. Dad loved his home and his family – his best friends over his life remained his brothers and sisters.  We grew up hearing stories from Rita, Avelina and Avelino of their adventures. One of note was being chased out of the raspberry patch by their Bisa Nona who was in her 90s! Dad went to Vance school and his favorite subjects were recess and returning home.  After school he went to work for local farmers – then off to northern Alberta with Reno, then to Flat Top Mountain with his new wife.  Auntie Louise had a houseful on weekends!

Dad met mom in 1958 at a dance in Cut Knife – he knew she was the one and they married one year later.  Dad had one goal his whole life and that was to farm.  We heard family stories of him playing in the yard as a small child with sticks for animals and drawing lines in the dirt for corrals. Dad spent winters working in sawmills until he was ready for his own farm north of Carruthers.  The early days of farming were with his dad and brothers Ding, Reno and Avelino - helping each other and later with Dele too. With a young wife and kids arriving those years were fast paced. He remained on the farm until the day he died.

Dad loved music and he loved to dance.  His sisters taught him and he taught us.  He followed the chuck wagon circuit with Avelino and Reno – grandchildren will remember betting 25 cents on every race.  Dad farmed cattle and crops – the river pastures and fields were endless hours of peace and comfort. The land was definitely not flat with a river to cross to get to pasture and hills in the fields that would daunt a seasoned farmer.  Of course the fencing and rock picking was less comforting but he appreciated a job done right.

As our family grew we became involved in 4-H and dad again dedicated endless hours of support to this, he – I mean we – even won champion a few times.  Dad made sure we had things to keep busy like horses, motorcycle, quads and skidoos and a lot of time at Birch Lake and the river. 

Dad was a hockey fan but the light of his life was watching kids on ice - Rick, Dylan, Lindsay, David, Alex, Chris, Shae and Jace playing hockey and Jessie figure skating.  He travelled everywhere to watch as many games as he could.  He cheered grandsons when they took a tough stance on the ice but had a big smile when his granddaughters “dropped the gloves”. 

Dad loved country music festivals and travelled across provinces to many.  Dad and mom went to Mexico to Lindsay’s wedding. Dad was barefoot with his blue jeans rolled up to his ankles and his flannel shirt rolled up to the elbow. He did everything he could there including zip lining with his grandkids. Dad and mom also became snowbirds for 3 winters in Phoenix where he watched spring training and explored Arizona with Leo and Lottie.

The farm became the family home no matter where we were and our families came to know it as “home”.  Grampa always took time to take someone for a tour around the river to see the cattle or a ride around the fields. Eventually even letting some of them drive the machinery and David even got to repair it!

As our family grew, we had many family gatherings and summers where the kids outnumbered the beds. Dad sometimes set up a tent in the yard for kids and enjoyed the handy-work of the “fort” built by young hands.

Dad was a champion for any kid with a struggle – his heart and empathy were always there and if he could lend a hand to a kid he would. Dad wanted us to do well and not to struggle. He was generous and always had a little something for each of us “at the door”. He was proud every grandchild graduated high school and moved onto success.

Dad had mom as his right hand and the two of them farmed side by side for almost 60 years.  Dad tells a story that the hardest days of his life were when his 3 daughters left home. Dad stayed involved in our lives wherever we were – he called us all “his” family and we feel honored.

Miss you dad…always in our hearts. Gail, Sherry, Sandi, Vicki and families