Date of Birth: August 19, 1929
Date of Death: August 1, 2013
On Thursday August 1, 2013 surrounded by the love of family, John Golaiy passed away after battling with lung cancer.
John Alexander was born at Grove Park on August 19, 1929 to Vendel and Ethel Golaiy. They moved to the farm two miles out of Whitewood in 1949. He married Jean Johnson on October 23, 1952 and they had four sons, John, Gordon, Allan and Raymond. Vendel and Ethel moved into Whitewood in 1962, leaving John the farm. John and Jean sold the last 30 acres of the farm in June of this year and moved into Whitewood.
John lived a quiet, simple life; no frills, no fuss. He loved planting the crops every spring and reaping the harvest every fall, and when they sold all but the last 30 acres and he no longer planted grain crops, he decided to plant tobacco plants that grew taller than him. John loved animals; he named his livestock and they became like pets to him, so much so that he could not butcher and eat his own cattle. John could often be found on the couch watching his favourite team playing hockey, or a good boxing match, or the politicians arguing in parliament and always throwing out a few choice words when things didn’t go well. John was a man of few words unless, of course, you got him mad, then you really heard about it. He was also quite the inventor; he made himself a paint shaker and numerous tools to help with the work around the farm and yard. John liked to be at home and never really wanted to go anywhere – home was where his heart always was.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to visit with John. He and we, the family, really appreciate your kindness. Special thanks to the staff at Southeast Integrated Care Centre in Moosomin for the wonderful care given to John and to us. Thanks to Matthews Funeral Home for arranging the graveside service and special thanks to Father Rene for leading us in the service of celebration of John’s life and to Joseph Mogyorosy for leading the hymns and for singing in Hungarian. Thank you to the CWL for providing lunch and to all who phoned and sent cards and flowers.
The twinkle in John’s eyes and the grin on his face when up to no good will be greatly missed. He is forever in our hearts and lovingly remembered by his family: his wife, Jean; sons Gord (Ina) and Raymond (Sally); his brother, Vendel; his sister, Liz; five grandchildren, Vicki, Mark, Melissa, Tiffany and Rachelle and five great-grandchildren, Vicki’s two children, Abigail, Kendra and Ethan; and all his nieces and nephews and their families.
