Joseph Rac

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph Rac, late of North Battleford on July 23, 2010 at the age of 80. Joseph was born in North Battleford on September 19, 1929. Joseph leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife Sharon; his children: Laurie (Marty) Rac and her children Courtney (Nathan and their children Zain and Jacelynn) and Casie-Jo (Dustin); Sherry Rac and her children Dustin and Randy Lewis; John (Charlene) Rac and their children Jayde and Dawson; Jody (Mark) Tomanek and their son Bohdan; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Imrich and Rosa; and siblings Angela, Andrew, Steve, Anna, and Emrick.

Eulogy by Charlene Rac, daughter in law

First of all I would like to take a moment to thank each and every one of you here today for coming and sharing in celebrating Joe’s life. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Charlene Rac. On July 23rd, I lost my father in law and my best friend.

Joe was born and raised in North Battleford. He was blessed with 3 daughters and 1 son, 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and another due in the fall. Joe was a humble man; he never liked to be the center of attention. If he were with us now, he would want us to take the focus off him and put it on us. In life and now in death, he wouldn’t want us to focus on him. He would want us to focus on the happiness we still have in our lives. Joe would want us to look at each other and to appreciate what we have together and what we hope to make better.

Anyone who knew Joe knows of his generosity, work ethic, and his witty sense of humour. As you all know he worked very hard as a heavy duty mechanic, backhoe and trackhoe operator for many years, employed by McMillans, Ken & Terry construction, Sanburn Construction, his very own Joe’s Backhoe Service and last but not least Unicon Pipeline.

Since retirement, Joe enjoyed going out for Sunday Brunch at Humpty’s for his famous bacon and fried eggs. He paid a short visit to the Gold Eagle Casino in the evenings to socialize with friends and play a little. He loved to play the occasional accordion piece and enjoyed entertaining the kids in Grandma Rac’s daycare by playing the harmonica when there was a birthday to celebrate.

As Joe’s health started failing he was admitted to Battleford’s Union Hospital 3rd North where he stayed for 2 weeks until his peaceful private passing. I’m so grateful for the health care experience that I have as a special care aide at the hospital, which has allowed me to spend countless hours being involed with Joe’s care, and also visiting him on a personal level as a daughter in law.

One moment that will stay with me forever is the afternoon before his passing I entered his room and he said “Hi Beautiful, there you are- let’s go, you’re taking me home!” Joe, it is extremely hard to say goodbye, I will miss your company, your smile, and most of all our little heart to heart conversations. I truly believe you made it safely to Heaven because Saturday morning I was doing yardwork and 3 butterflies were present and only stayed for a few short seconds.

In closing, I have a poem I would like to share:

Remembering a dad, a grandpa, an uncle, a friend, a husband, and a father in law:

Remember him with a smile today,

He was not one for tears

Reflect instead on memories

Of all the happy years.

Recall to mind the way he spoke

And all the things he said

His strength, his stance,

The way he walked

Remember these instead.

The good advice he’d give us

His eyes that shone with laughter

So much of him that never dies

But lives on, ever after.

He was a man of honesty,

integrity and pride.

Important, then, the way he lived

Not the way he died.

If a tear should fall today

Perhaps it shall be shed

For the many years

without him here

That still lie far ahead.

The memorial service was held on Wednesday July 28, 2010 from the Chapel of Wilson and Zehner Funeral Home with Mrs. Joyce Salie officiating. The family have requested that memorial donations be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Kristeen Nylander of Wilson & Zehner Funeral Home, North Battleford, SK.