Tribute - Eugene Peter Babiuk

On October 22nd, Eugene Babiuk passed away, and this post is dedicated to him.  He was my Dad.  He was loved, and will be dearly missed.

He spent his last years with a passion for Christ, enjoying giving sermons at church, children's stories and leading out in Bible studies.  He wanted to show his love for Christ, and was re-baptized again 7 days before he died.  He also volunteered at the local Adventist Community Services, and it was a highlight for him to go and help in any way that he could - often driving an hour each way even in the dead of winter to be there for his volunteer shift.

He will be remembered for his kindness, his quiet sense of humor, and for his love.  He will be remembered as someone who loved his three children immensely, and would make every effort to go and watch Cam and Brad's curling and hockey games every chance that he could after his retirement.  Curling of course, such a truly Canadian sport in my mind, was one of his favorites and he used to be on a curling team all of my growing up years.  He was a hard-working man who worked two jobs year-round, adding another two seasonal jobs during the summer.  How he managed on so little sleep was amazing.

I'll never forget going out with Dad on my very first summer job, helping him to cut the grass on school lawns surrounding our little town of Portage la Prairie.  He also helped to teach me how to drive a stick-shift - being brave enough to lend me his little truck to practice on!   He would always take me out water-skiing during the summer, always content just to drive the boat while I skiied behind.  One of my favorite memories was taking the long drive to Alberta to visit family, and all along the way I quizzed him about what life was like when he was a child in the "olden" days! :)

His life and love will always bring a smile to my face, and my heart aches with the loss - but I know that he truly loved Christ and that he has the hope of heaven someday.  Going through the loss of a loved one who has been in your life for so long brings a lot of reflections with it, it has been a rough couple of weeks but I am so fortunate to have loved ones in the form of family and friends who have walked every step of this with me.  I will always be thankful for the memories that I have of Dad, and for the fact that I was able to talk to him so frequently as the end of his life drew near - even the night before he went to the hospital. 

Gene Babiuk's life made a difference, to those around him and to those that loved him.  His life made a difference to me. 

Rest in peace.

Copy of Obituary:

EUGENE PETER BABIUK July 1, 1940 - October 22, 2011 Eugene passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at Concordia Hospital, Winnipeg, with his family at his bedside. He was predeceased by his father, Peter. He will be lovingly remembered by his sons Cam (Tracey) and Brad, their mother Olga, daughter Amy (Karis), grandsons Zachary and Kaleb, mother Lena, sisters Evelyn (Ken) and Elaine (Murray), nephews Jeff (Niesha), Scott (Patricia), and niece Kim (Yan). Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be held at Transcona Seventh Day Adventist Church, 133 Regent Ave. E. Winnipeg on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ACS (Adventist Community Services) or The Canadian Cancer Society. Our family extends special thanks to Dr. Du Plessis and Eugene's Home and Palliative Care providers.