John Paul Fafard

John Paul Fafard of Broadview, Saskatchewan passed away on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at the age of 86. John died peacefully at home, sitting in his chair with his beloved cat Tommy John on his lap, and his wife of 61 years, Terry by his side.

John spent his early years growing up on the farm a half mile west of his grandfather’s farm in the RM of Elcapo. His days were spent mostly outdoors, enjoying what nature had to offer. In the summertime, he snared and trapped gophers, hunted ducks, prairie chicken and crows. His 22-rifle was his constant companion. The big thing was to look for crows’ nests as he got paid one cent an egg.

John attended Elcapo School in the district until he was sent to Notre Dame College for his high school education. Dad was proud to be a Hound and was fortunate to have the opportunity to play hockey, lacrosse, football and baseball with baseball being his favourite. It was a proud day indeed when Dad got inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.

Dad returned after school and started farming with his father, Donat, eventually taking over the farm and adding more to it. In 1959 he married Therese Mercier of Ponteix, Saskatchewan and God blessed them with 6 children, 20 grandchildren and soon to have the 15th great grandchild.

As a family we had a lot of fun times together. In winter we would downhill ski and skidoo. In summer, as soon as school was out, we moved to the cottage down at Crooked Lake (Sunset Beach) and enjoyed fishing, boating, water skiing and swimming. Dad and Mom also travelled the world with and without their kids and saw everywhere from Alaska, Hawaii, Jamaica, Florida and really enjoyed going down to Yuma for 19 years.

In the winter, Dad was an avid curler. On five occasions, he curled in the provincial finals in Brier curling, three times as a third and twice as a skip. He also took his rink to the senior provincial finals. He was also a proud member of the Broadview Lion’s Club for many years. When Dad retired and sold the farm in 1994, they moved to town, and his passion for woodworking really took over. He spent many, many hours in his shop and you can see his work all over the country. He especially loved to make things for his children and grandchildren.

John is survived by his wife Therese and 6 children:

Debra (Randy) Durovick; Petra Dawn Riffel (Julia, Shea, and Adrian), Kylene (Jordan) Astrope (Cameron, Maven, Lachlan and Rowan), Brennan (Megan) Durovick, Keegan Durovick.

Michelle (Marty) Ewanchuk; Benjamin (Rachel) Ewanchuk, Katherine (Dylan) Cann.

Jo-Ann (Rob Zoerb) Fafard; Ian (Raelene) Dyke (Landon, Kennedy, and Chloe), Jeremy Dyke (Zachary and Lincoln), Aimee Dyke.

RJ (Crystal) Fafard; Nikki, Jesse, Tennesee Fafard, Lucien Fafard (Rio).

Don (Natalie) Fafard; Lauryn and Gabrielle.

Jennifer (Murray Weninger) Fafard; Kelsey, Dominic and Angelina.

John was predeceased by his father Donat Fafard in 1990 and his mother Marie Alice Dora (Taillon) Fafard in 1984.

A public visitation was held in Tubman Funeral Home, Wolseley on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. A private family funeral mass was held in Holy Name of Mary R.C. Church, Broadview, SK on Monday, June 14, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. The funeral was livestreamed with the link below. A public graveside service was held in the Broadview Cemetery following the mass at 3:30 p.m.

In memory of JP, donations can be made to the Broadview & District Lions Club, Box 125, Broadview, SK S0G 0K0 or Holy Name of Mary, Box 878, Broadview, SK S0G 0K0.