Obituary of Juan Manuel Contreras

 MAY 18, 1935 – MAY 30, 2018

It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of our father, husband and grandfather, Juan Manuel Contreras Yañez. Our father passed away at home surrounded by his family in Regina, on Thursday, May 30, 2018. He was predeceased by his parents, Manuel Contreras and Rosa Yañez; brother Hector; and grandchildren Diana and Daniel. Married 63 years, our dad is survived by our mother, Carmen; his children Guido (Margaret), Leonardo (Milly), Juan (Marla) and Gisela; grandchildren, Karina, Fabian, Sophia, Maya, Yvonne, Orlando, Walter, Tatiana, Nicolas, Chantel and Andrea; as well as numerous great-grandchildren in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. The oldest brother of four siblings, Juan is survived by his two sisters Sara and Irís who live in Chile. Born in Curaví, Chile, Juan was a man of quiet dignity and unflinching desire for justice and equality. His great honour was to have been selected by his co-workers at the Chilean electric company to travel to Europe to study for a year. In 1977, our father was granted UN refugee status and was accepted to migrate to Canada. He was always grateful to Canada for affording all of us an opportunity for peace and prosperity.

             Amor Eterno                                                 Eternal Love

Podrá nublarse el sol eternamente;        The face of the sun may darken forever,
Podrá secarse en un instante el mar;     The oceans run dry in an instance of fire.
Podrá romperse el eje de la tierra          The axis spinning our planet may shatter
Como un débil cristal.                              Like so much a brittle crystal.
¡todo sucederá! Podrá la muerte            Yes, all of that may happen! At the end, Death
Cubrirme con su fúnebre crespón;          May cover my flesh with her funeral shroud;
Pero jamás en mí podrá apagarse          But none of it will reach within my soul and snuff
La llama de tu amor.                               The bright frame of your love

      Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer                          Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer

Our father loved playing rayuela and brisca and enjoyed spending time with family and friends in Regina, Calgary and Chile. A Celebration of His Life for family and close friends will be held at the Speers Family Centre, 2333 Cornwall Street, Regina, SK, on Sunday, June 3, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Those wishing may make donations in memoriam, to the Regina Food Bank, 445 Winnipeg St., Regina, SK, S4R 8P2.