Mr. Ioan Aurel Sabau

With profound sadness, we announce that Ioan Aurel Sabau, our beloved and admired father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the age of 95 surrounded by his daughter, Monica Diaconescu and her family.

Ioan was born in Oradea, Transylvania, Romania, the first son of Magdalena and Ioan Sabau’s three children. He spent the early years in Oradea and in 1939 the whole family moved to Sibiu shortly before the war started. Soon after, at 16, he met Doina Margineanu at Crinti, a charming mountain resort. They married in 1946, and Monica, their only child was born in 1948. In the truest sense of the expression, Doina was the love of his life, and their union lasted more than 50 years until she passed in 1999.

Professionally, he was reputed for his studiousness, discipline, diligence, passion and drive. After studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Bucharest, he became the manager of the chemical lab of the electrical company of Sibiu and stayed in this position until immigrating to Canada in 1985.

A scientist and a self-professed lifelong learner, he mastered English at the age of 63 and in 1988 he started Insoil Canada, a company that would use his decades of research and experience to improve and extend the life and reliability of high-voltage transformers. His numerous technical papers published in North America, his vision and dedicated work would earn him numerous accolades and recognition in this field by bodies like the National Research Council, IEEE, ASTM and SAIT.

He was a passionate supporter of Romanian arts and culture. In 2001 and 2009, he organized shows with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra to promote awareness of Romanian traditions in Calgary. He also initiated the Romanian Seniors’ Club.

He is an irreplaceable force of nature who will be sorely missed by all those who loved and knew him. His kindness, respect, dedication, loyalty, love and wisdom were truly rare and emblematic of his always being a true gentleman.

A Celebration of Ioan’s Life will be held at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery), Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. Due to the weather, a private interment will take place at Queen’s Park Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.