Date of Birth: October 30, 1944
Date of Death: April 1, 2017
On Saturday, April 1, 2017, Brian Bartake of Melville Beach, beloved husband of Kerry Bartake, entered his eternal rest at the Regina General Hospital after health challenges. He was 72 years of age.
Brian was born on Oct. 30, 1944 in Moose Jaw, Sask. He lived in Melville with his parents, Mary (Wozniak) and Bert Bartake. He received his education at St. Henry’s School in Melville. After school he delivered clothes for the family business, Ideal Dry Cleaners, but he still found time for many friends and sports like playing hockey and baseball. Brian was proud to be a member of the Melville Midget Millionaires hockey team winning the Saskatchewan Midget “A” Championship in 1960-61.
After he graduated from high school, he went to work for the Royal Bank in Arcola for a short time and then to J.I. Case in Regina. Then he moved to Vancouver where he worked for Signode, an industrial packaging company, for approximately 30 years. While working for Signode, he was transferred to Edmonton as the new branch manager. He finished his career working for General Fasteners as a sales consultant.
For 28 years, Brian was married to Kerry (Hooper), a woman he met with four young children. His children, Stacey and Troy, lived with them for a time. They enjoyed barbecuing, camping, quading and seeing the sights together. Brian also liked playing golf with his son. An avid sportsman, Brian hunted deer and moose every fall, bagging two deer on the same day – twice! He also got pleasure from reading, water skiing and playing old timers’ hockey.
In 2006, Brian retired to his beloved Crooked Lake. He liked to joke and reminisce with family and friends, often around a campfire. Golfing with his golf buddies was a special highlight of his retirement. Brian loved when his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews came to visit. As soon as he saw them, he would break into a huge smile.
Brian was predeceased by his parents, Bert and Mary Bartake; and sister, Rosemarie Busser.
Brian leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Kerry; his son, Troy; and daughter, Stacey, both of Edmonton; his brother, Bert (Cheryl) of Melville and their children; brother, Doug and his family; nieces, Denise (Dennis) Burns of Winnipeg, Michelle (Myron) Chuchmuch of Melville Beach, Corrine (Ron) Anderson of Medicine Hat; nephew, Brad (Laurette) Busser of the Melville area; his step-children, Shara (Shawn) Leroy, of Airdrie, Alta., Peter (Liz) Bonnema of Spruce Grove, Alta., Kendra (Aaron) Alleyn and Ron (Jane) Bonnema, both of Edmonton, Alta.; as well as 10 beautiful grandchildren, Ariya and Catherin Leroy, Kadence and Cecilia Bonnema, Darius, Dante, Miakoda and Dorion Alleyn; as well as Alessandra Bonnema and Riane Almonte; as well as other relatives, nieces, nephews and friends.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, April 8, 2017 from First United Church in Melville with Rev. Brian Mee officiating. Cremation followed at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Crematiorium.
Arrangements were by Bailey’s Funeral and Cremation Services, Melville.
