On May 15, 2016, Kurtis “Glenn” Berjian of Assiniboia, SK., passed away at the age of 62. The son of George and Florence Berjian, he was raised on the family farm west of Assiniboia along with his younger sister, Debbie. In his boyhood days, he worked on the farm, rode bareback across the countryside, snared gophers, played trumpet, shot slingshots with (and at) his cousins, and enjoyed playing hockey. After graduating high school, he moved to Saskatoon to attend post-secondary education. He fell in love with Florence Seal and married her in 1975. They had their first son, Kurtis, in 1980 while Glenn was a manager for the Co-op in Regina. Shortly after the arrival of son Kaz, in 1982, Glenn moved back to and took over the family farm. Son, Karson arrived in 1985 and completed the family. Glenn loved raising his family, working with the cattle and picking saskatoons on the farm. He was a founding member and the first president of the Southern Cruisers Car Club in Assiniboia. Working on and talking about hot rods was a passion for Glenn. That passion led him and his family on rod-run vacations all over western Canada and the U.S. While many men hauled their hot rods to the rod-runs on trailers, Glenn used his 1940 Chevrolet hot rod to pull the family tent trailer to the rod-runs. Later in life, Glenn worked at Delorme Seeds Ltd., Southland Co-op and Wilcock Mobile Service before transitioning to heavy industrial projects with Kiewit in roles ranging from surveying to iron working to pile-driving. While his employers appreciated his ingenuity, work-ethic and ability to fix just about anything, his caring personality, can-do attitude and leadership skills made him a valued co-worker and friend. He was at work at the K+S Legacy site when he suffered the stroke that took his life. He was everything to his wife Florence, and is sorely missed by his family, co-workers and friends, especially by his six grandchildren whom he loved so much. He was the very best at reading stories to them and teaching them how to skate. Glenn was predeceased by his father, George; father-in-law, Charles Seal; and mother-in-law, Esther Seal (nee Brooks). He is survived by his wife, Florence; his sons, Kurtis (Jennifer), Kaz (Erin) and Karson (Maria); his grandchildren, Karter (Kurtis), Brie and Koen (Kaz), and Violet, Zoey and Kosta (Karson); his mother, Florence; his sister, Debbie; his brother-in-law, Bill Seal (Claire); and nephews, Tyson, Travis and Garrett.
A funeral service (according to the United Church of Canada) was held at St. George’s Catholic Church in Assiniboia on May 20, 2016 with Rev. Marilyn Leuty officiating. A tribute was given by his sons, with music by Marjorie Hamilton and the St. Paul’s United Church Choir. Co-workers from Kiewit and members of the Southern Cruisers Car Club provided an honour guard. Interment followed at Mount Hope Cemetery, Assiniboia. Donations were gratefully accepted for STARS Air Ambulance and St. Paul’s United Church. Arrangements entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.rossfuneralservice.com.
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