Obituary of James Hedley Dean

DEAN, James Hedley

June 16, 1921 – October 17, 2019

A gentleman is courteous, polite, and respectful. He says please and thank you, and waits his turn in line. He treats others as they wish to be treated…a gentleman is open-minded; a gentleman does not believe that his opinion and knowledge are complete and unquestionable.

James was born and raised at the family farm south of Rama, SK. His parents were Arthur and Edith (Bailey) Dean and he was the third of five boys. James went to school at Mainroad School, a one room schoolhouse 2.5 miles from his home. He took his grade 8 there and then completed his education to grade 10 by correspondence.

James was a World War II vet. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1941 and served on several different ships. James spent all his wartime years on the east coast escorting various supply ships through the North Atlantic and back. When he was discharged after the war, James was given a “plain clothes” gratuity of $100 and a rehabilitation grant for $67.50. Thus, he returned to civilian life and began farming. James married Polly Zawyrucha in 1948 and they raised three sons. They farmed in the Invermay area until their retirement to Balgonie in 1983.

James volunteered his time for a variety of organizations. He was a long-time member of the Invermay Kinsmen club, served on the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool committee, as well as on the school board. James loved his days farming and especially his Hereford cattle herd. He had a tremendous sense of pride in doing things right and to the best of one’s ability. James loved being busy at whatever came his way and once said he credited his longevity to always having a plan for what he would do the following day. He loved his family and although he was a quiet personality, he was great at his witty one-liners. Most of all, James was the ultimate gentleman.

He was predeceased by his wife Polly in 2018; and his four brothers and their wives, David (Doreen), Donald (Merle), Neil (Grace), and Ken (Rita). James is survived by his son, John (Phyllis) of White City and their children, Laura (Jonathon Fuhr), Linzie (Billy-Jack Sauer), Karen (Kurtus Bray) and Brad (Kendra); son Bob (Barb) of Regina and their children, Matthew (Haley Gieni), Amy (Ryan Pollock), and Kyla (Andrew Urzada); son Ken (Lynette) of Red Deer and their children, Jessie (Darcy McLaughlin), Adrian (Crystal), Sarah, and Heather (Mike McPherson). He is also survived by twenty great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law John (Edna) Zawyrucha of Vernon, BC, Walter Zawyrucha of Vegreville, AB, and Ed (Carol) Zawyrucha of Kelowna, BC.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Harbour Landing Village for the care, friendship, and attention James was given during his stay there. As well, a special thank you to the staff at the Pasqua Hospital and the staff at Grace Hospice.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, 302 King Street, Balgonie, SK on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, Rama, SK on Friday, October 25, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. James loved animals and would be pleased if a donation was made in his memory to the Regina Humane Society, P.O. Box 3143 Stn. Main, Regina, SK S4P 3G7.