Eugene “Jerry” Babiuk

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Eugene “Jerry” Babiuk on Tuesday, September 30th, 2014 at the age of 90 years.  Jerry was born on July 13th, 1924 in the Ukraine.  He was predeceased by his parents, Eleana and William Babiuk and brother, Bill.  Jerry is survived by his wife, Vivian; brother, Harry (Ruth); daughters, Gail (Kelvin) Stevens and Paulette; sons, Gary and Wade (Brenda); his sisters-in-laws: Eva Brule, Betty Brule and Aurore Brule; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; as well as numerous nephews and nieces.  Jerry arrived at the CPR Station in Moose Jaw with his two brothers in October 1934, after an extended trip across Europe from the Ukraine.  They lived with their father on South Hill for many years.  He went to school at Empire Elementary and Peacock Technical High School.  Jerry began working for the CPR on June 6th, 1942 and after his World War Two service in the Navy, he continued working for the CPR for 42 years and retired in 1984.  He married Vivian in 1946 and they built their home on South Hill in 1947, where they lived until his passing.  They spent a lot of their married life raising their four children, enjoying gardening and spending time at their cabin at Buffalo Lake.  He was an active member of the community for his whole life.  He was a member of the Vestry and the Sunday School Superintendent at St. Michael’s and All Angels Anglican Church for a number of years.  He also coached the Sunday School hockey and softball teams.  He was president of the Moose Jaw Figure Skating Club and a figure skating judge.  He was the secretary of the Knights of Pythias.  Jerry also flew racing pigeons for over 50 years with the Band City and Moose Jaw Pigeon clubs.  He boxed in the Navy and won both the Saskatchewan Featherweight and Bantamweight championships in 1946 and the Featherweight again in 1947.  But he is most remembered as playing hockey from the age of 8 to 87.  Jerry played on many hockey teams including the Regina Navy and OK Delivery commercial teams.  He also continued to play with a number of other Old Timer hockey clubs, including the Lumsden Rockers over the years.  He played his last hockey game with his two sons in April 2011 at the CPR Hockey Tournament in Vancouver.  A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, October 6th, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home.  Father Dean Pinter and Reverend Deacon Arleen Champion will officiate and interment will follow at Rosedale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry’s name may be made to Doctors Without Borders, Suite 402 – 720 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5S 2T9 or Moose Jaw’s New Regional Hospital c/o Moose Jaw Health Foundation, 455 Fairford St E, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 1H3.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  James Murdock, Funeral Director 306-693-4550.