Zane Myron Pajak

Zane Myron Pajak December 9, 1942 – May 17, 2019 As he was surrounded by his family, Zane Pajak peacefully slipped away from us at 10:30pm on the evening of Friday, May 17th, 2019 with the grace of someone who had just hosted a fabulous dinner party and was saying goodbye to the final guest. There is no way to express our sadness as we share this news. At the age of 76 years, a beautiful life has been taken from us after a short, and very courageous battle with cancer. Our world has changed forever, but Zane has left us with the strength to move forward and the power to do so. Zane was the epitome of the patriarch. It does not seem possible to sum up such a full life through only a few words. He never forgot a birthday, or an event, and he was the first to reach out when someone needed help. Never afraid of any kind of work, we could always count on Zane to lend a hand, even when we were still busy trying to procrastinate. While he was the first to volunteer his assistance, he was always reluctant to admit if he ever needed help and always preferred to put others needs ahead of his own, even right up until these past few weeks before his passing. Born in Evansburg, Alberta, Zane’s career as a purchasing agent in the oil and gas industry took him throughout Alberta, with time spent in Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Red Deer, and finally, Calgary. While his resume may have read ‘purchasing agent’, those who love Zane know that purchasing was only a sideline among his long list of interests. His true career passion seemed to resonate in the world of real estate and development. Always buying, renovating, building, and flipping houses, his success in that realm seemed to better represent Zane as a professional. When he made the decision to retire from his purchasing career, he officially entered the world of real estate and for the next 10 years continued to successfully build a solid reputation within that industry. While Zane always had an active professional career, he seldom brought his work home with him and kept an admirable balance in life. Always the outdoorsman, Zane could often be found camping in Kananaskis, fishing and boating in the Kootenays, or on any of numerous trips for hiking and fly fishing. He often avoided Alberta winters by traveling to Arizona with Carole, and they were known to attend bluegrass music festivals. Zane had a love for music and would never hesitate to pick up his guitar and join in with a jam session. Through the years he played with many different people and numerous groups. Every year, Zane would pack up all the grandkids and host them at the Elks annual Christmas party. He would get so excited about the Christmas party every year and maybe enjoyed going even more than the kids! This event always instigated a family gathering and a well-attended sleepover. He was always thrilled to be able to spend time with all of his grandkids. He enjoyed hearing about all they were up to and the activities that they were involved in, and he went to watch them whenever he could. Zane LOVED to curl! Curling and music were two of his passions. He curled for as long as anyone can remember. He curled every single week and looked forward to the curling bonspiel every year on the Lake at Invermere. Zane also looked forward to Friday nights at the Legion. During the summer this would often mean date night with Carole, but only in the summer! Friday nights during the winter meant the boy’s night out. Zane was very proud of his time as a boxer when he was a young man. There was a boxing club in Edmonton that he belonged to for a few years and there is a picture in existence somewhere of him at that club wearing his boxing gear! He loved showing off that picture. Zane never knew that he wanted to have the company of a dog. When a friend announced that her family pet was expecting, a plan to adopt a puppy was put into place. When the day arrived, Snowy, who was not the intended puppy, ran up to Zane with a ball and instantly became an extended member of the family. When faced with the diagnosis of cancer, Zane very matter-of-factly stated that, ‘it is what it is’… He accepted that it would be a battle, and he took it on with the attitude of one about to undertake the construction of a rather difficult and risky project. It would be challenging and tiring work, but it was time to get started. Zane was predeceased by his parents, Martin and Magdaline Pajak, his second wife Wendy Kennedy, his sisters Jo, and Rose, and his brother Ted. Zane is survived by his partner of 15 years, Carole Eliuk, his sister, Olga Tkachuk, first wife Karen, his son Greg (Louise), daughters Kim (Glen), Kristen, and Leslie. Grandchildren Reed, Hailey (Colton), MacKenzie, Olivia, Nash, Jackson, and Rogan. Stepchildren Julie (Willie), Geoff, Debbie (Brian), Doug (Margo), and step-grandchildren Keegan, Madison, Christina (Matt), and Michelle (Colin), numerous nieces and nephews, and his constant companion Snowy. Zane, the music will play on forever… We love you more than words can possibly express and we will miss you and remember you always. A visitation will be held at 12:00pm on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 3220 – 4th Street NW, Calgary, AB with a celebration of life to honor Zane following at 2:00pm. Put your musical instruments in your car! There is a high probability that a jam session will break out. Zane often supported the CNIB, the Canadian Cancer Society, and The Royal Canadian Legion. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to a charity of your choice in Zane’s honour.