Obituary of George Biholar

George and Eleanor Biholar Part one: George. My parents emigrated from Romania in 1912, my Dad on his own, and my mother came over with her father the same year. They met here and were married on August 14th, 1914. I, George, was born in December, 1926 to Casian and Ioana Biholar, and was the seventh of eight children they had. Unfortunately, 3 of the children passed away in infancy during 1918 to 1920. In the past few years a sister and a brother also passed away leaving only 3 remaining. I was born and raised just one block south of this church. Having attended St. George Orthodox Church all my life, I think that I am now the most senior of all the parishioners. In my youth, I was an altar boy, and my Dad was a Palimar. I attended Wetmore School and Balfour Tech High School. At a young age, I began working for an Office Equipment Company called Underwood Limited and learned to repair Office equipment. In 1960, the company merged with an Italian company called Olivetti. I was one of three Canadians selected to spend three months in Italy, to study their office equipment. Upon my return to Regina, I set up a training centre and looked after training the technicians in Western Canada and also conducted a few courses in Toronto. After most of the training was completed, I was promoted to Western Canada Service Coordinator, working out of Regina, visiting Company branches in the area comprising Ontario to B.C. I became Service Manager of the Regina Branch in 1963 and remained in that position until 1979. I had a heart attack in December of 1978, and on a Doctor’s advice, I decided that it would be in my best interest to step down and become a technician once again. During my years as Service manager, I took classes at the University of Regina, and obtained a Certificate in Personnel Administration in 1978. Over the years I have seen many changes in office equipment, starting with manual typewriters and adding machines followed by electric models, then electronic units, word processors, copying machines and the computer which is the norm now. I was able to keep up with all the technological advances as new equipment came on the market. I retired in 1990 after about 49 years of service. In 1944, I took an interest in Calligraphy, the art of beautiful lettering, a hobby that I enjoyed very much over many years. It provided me with relaxation after a hectic day at work. Many relatives and friends enjoyed the decorated envelopes that I sent to them over the years. In 1959, I was honoured to do the scroll that the City of Regina presented to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth on her visit to the Queen City. In 1978, I also did the art work and Calligraphy on the page in the Golden Book at City Hall which commemorated Regina’s 75th Anniversary and which was signed by Her Majesty and Prince Philip on that occasion. Part two: Eleanor I, Eleanor, was born in the Limerick area in 1926 to Mihia and Maria Mazepuik, one of 8 children, one sister and 6 brothers and myself. Anne, Dan, George, Nick, Bill, Lorne and Johnny (Mayes brothers) were my siblings. Only 3 of us remain. I attended Milton School in the Limerick area. During my earlier years, I enjoyed helping my mother with the cooking and baking for the family. On the advice of my brothers, I took a business course in Assiniboia to further my education. After completing the course, I moved to Regina and wrote Provincial Tests and became an employee of the Government of Saskatchewan, working in the Dept. of Municipal Affairs. At the time, the Premier was Tommy Douglas. I later applied and was accepted to fill a position in Saskatoon with the Sask. Dept. Labour. It was from there that George convinced me to return to Regina after we became engaged. Over the years, my hobby was sewing and doing crafts which I enjoyed very much. Part three: Both of us On October 1st, 1949, we were married in the smaller original St. George Orthodox Church in a beautiful ceremony that was conducted by Fr. Simeon Ivanoff and Fr. Peter Avram. We celebrated our 63rd Wedding Anniversary and soon will have our 64th. We have been truly blessed! Our reception was attended by many of our parishioners and friends at the old Romanian Hall which was located on the north side of the 700 block Victoria Ave. As a side note, this is where we met, Eleanor as a Bridesmaid for a couple whose wedding George attended as a guest. It started there! After our marriage, Eleanor worked for various lawyers, accountants, and a Welsh machinery company as a stenographer. Eleanor spent about 5 months in the hospital flat on her back until our son, Kenneth, was born on August 23, 1957. Eleanor then took on the role of a stay at home Mom. This was an exciting time for us and we enjoyed our family so much. Ken was always in Church with us over the years, attending Sunday school as Eleanor was the teacher along with Lynn Nenson. He later was an Altar Boy, helping the priest. Grandpa Casian was the Palimar at that time. 1960 was an exciting time for us, as George was sent to Italy for 3 months and then Eleanor joined him for the last 7 weeks. We were fortunate and thankful that George’s parents looked after Ken during that period of time. Eleanor’s parents did their share as well. We could never thank them enough. On a sad note, on April 1st, 1964 our little girl, Mary, was born but lived for only 1 hour. Sadly, both sets of parents have passed on, may their memory be eternal. Later, Eleanor wrote Federal Tests and started work with the R.C.M.P “F” Division Headquarters in the Personnel Department. During her time there, Eleanor took classes at the University of Regina and received her Certificate in Personnel Administration in May 1978. Eleanor retired in 1987 from that position after 17 years of service. On Sept. 6th, 1980, Ken married Christine at St. George Church. They blessed us with 3 wonderful grandchildren Leia, Alexander and Ariel. Alexander also served as an Altar Boy, the fourth generation of our family assisting in the Altar. Our family moved to Texas in 1997. The past 4 years have seen health problems become part of our lives, with Eleanor suffering 3 strokes and heart surgery in 2008. She came home from hospitals in June 2009, and we have worked together for her care since then. We thank God for the strength and blessings that He provides for us now. We have always enjoyed attending the many beautiful services of the Orthodox faith, and appreciate them all. We feel that we have been blessed over the years and we thank everyone for their prayers as we face the future. May God Bless you all. “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three, But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13