Louis Paul Sarich

With love and thanksgiving for the gift of his life, the family of Bud Sarich shares that our beloved father passed peacefully into the arms of the Father on Saturday, January 13, 2024, in Saskatoon, after a short stay at the Royal University Hospital. Just as Dad named the personal memoir he wrote in 2021, his lifetime was a journey of "Nine Decades Well Spent”.

Dad’s great spirit, love and resilience will be carried forward by his children: Barbara Martinez (Tom); Stephen; Edward (Midori); Katrina Sawchuk (Barry); Bronwynn Cutts (Steven). Dad’s smile would light up a room whenever he saw his grandchildren: Olivia, Louis, Greyson, Ava and Jackson; Luna, Mana; Kayla (Sandro), Kira (Blair) with Tayte, Chantel (Daniel) with Hunter, Cindy, Stephanie (Wayne); and Allayna, Annorah (Dele) and Emmett. Numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews as well will miss Dad’s life lessons, jokes and stories.

Dad was predeceased by his wife, our adored Myrna (nee Eaton), who left us in 2010 to prepare to welcome Dad again, in acceptance of the grace of God. Beloved beyond words, remarkable in spirit, and memorable in community, Dad’s life will be cherished and lovingly remembered by our dynamic family and by those lives he touched in so many ways throughout his years. Dad was also predeceased by his parents, Stephen and Annie Sarich; sister Margaret Feist; sister Lillian; cherished sister-in-law Diane Sarich (nee Fawcett) and brothers-in-law Tony Feist, Stan Harkness and Arnie Brockman.

Dad married Margaret Pearse in October 1963, and was soon blessed with five children from 1964 to 1970 – having five children in six years made for a very dynamic and busy life! Above all else, Dad instilled in his children the importance of family, faith and working hard. Dad was an immensely proud business man, with a driven commitment to career, family and giving back. Raised within a proud Croatian community around Davidson / Bladworth, this Saskatchewan farm boy knew from a young age he was not to be a tiller of soil. Beginning as a store clerk at the Co-op in Leslie, Saskatchewan in 1949, Dad dedicated his life to the Co-op system, and rose within the company to provide his leadership as an advisor across Western Canada, including Vancouver Island and the Arctic. One of Dad’s proudest achievements was his work to advise on the establishment of Co-ops in remote communities and the Arctic, specifically with the community of Repulse Bay. Dad tells many stories of those days and the incredible experiences had had working with the Inuit community. After a dedicated 42 years, Dad retired in 1992 from Federated Co-operatives Limited. His personal memoir details his career and his efforts to achieve the co-operative vision for many communities and is found in the Saskatchewan Archives.

A devout Catholic, Dad raised our family at Holy Spirit Parish, where every Sunday our family attended, sitting in the same pew, a proud father with a trail of five children. Dad was a life long volunteer, during his senior years giving his time to Holy Spirit Parish. Dad also valued Catholic education, placing education as of critical importance. Leaving the farm at a young age to work, Dad continued his passion for learning through six years of night classes through USask College of Commerce while working fulltime. Reading was vital, as was the daily crossword. On his final trip to the hospital, he made sure to take a book to read, never wasting an idle moment when he could be learning.

Dad’s faith focused on his fervent love of our Holy Mary, Mother of God. Dad said the rosary daily throughout his life, jokingly saying he lost a rosary everywhere he went, which may have been God’s intent for those who needed to find Mary. Dad would say the rosary in his care home daily, thankful for those friends who would join him in prayer. We welcome all remembering our Dad to say the rosary. For the kindness and care Dad received over the past five years, the family sincerely thanks the staff at the Extendicare Preston / Preston SHA care home. Those wishing to honour Dad should take a moment to cherish their family and reflect on the joy of each day.

Details on a celebration of life for Bud Sarich and a Mass of Christian Burial to be held in August 2024 will be provided at a later date, so that all those who knew and loved Dad may attend with the advantage of better Saskatchewan weather. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bud’s memory may be made to: Columbus Bosco Homes.

Arrangements entrusted to Ashley Knash