Mr. Hubert Louis George Badanai (Bert) passed away peacefully with his loving family at his side, at St. Joseph’s Care Group Hospice, on Friday December 3, 2021.
Bert was born in Fort William, Ontario, on September 7, 1926 the son of May (Checkley) and Hubert Badanai Sr.
At a young age Bert showed great aptitude in athletics, excelling at football, hockey, tennis, downhill and cross country skiing and golf. Bert faithfully worked out every morning at 6 am at the Confederation College bubble until a few years ago. He continued his fitness program at home riding his stationary bike until 2 weeks ago. Bert enjoyed downhill skiing at Lutsen (despite 3 hip replacements, thank you to Dr. Puskas) until age 90. He proudly completed the Sibley Ski Tour and many 10 mile road races. He looked forward to attending the Hymers Fall Fair, enjoying everything from the animals to the food.
Bert was a proud graduate of Queens University, earning his B.A. in Economics and Math in 1948.
Bert married Maxine Lelah Gage on June 16th, 1952. Together they raised 5 children, instilling the love of sports, nutrition, education and travel.
Bert was General Manager and Dealer Principal of Kam Motors and Port Arthur Motors, part owner of Budget Rent A Car, and Target Motors Mazda. As an automotive dealer with General Motors of Canada, Bert and Maxine were able to travel the world. Bert received numerous awards from GM for meeting/or beating performance standards. He was one of a few dealers in Canada to serve GM for 40 Years.
Bert was a proud board member for the Quetico Conference and Training Center in Atikokan, situated on Lake Eva. Quetico Center was a unique organization designed to help businesses, (both profit and non-profit) cope with and understand change.
From 1997 to 2000 Bert was elected Councillor at large, for the City of Thunder Bay inaugural council.
Bert was a regular columnist for the Thunder Bay Post Newspaper, writing about diverse topics that were affecting the city at the time. By applying the economics of the day, Bert engaged in extensive research and debate concerning such issues as whether to build a new hospital or refurbish the existing structures.
Bert had an insatiable curiosity for knowledge, reading for enlightenment on a wide variety of topics, including world economics, politics, anti-aging, health and nutrition. He enjoyed speculating about what was currently happening and how that would affect the future, sharing his knowledge to help employees, friends and family members. He donated his extensive research books to the Thunder Bay Library.
On his 95th birthday, when his grandchildren asked Grandpa for his best advice he said, “Be ready for and accepting of change. Don’t fight it, accept it and keep moving.” Bert was an advocate for taking the best holistic, organic vitamins daily and proudly took no medications.
Bert is survived by his wife Maxine, five children; Carolyn (Ken Erickson), Monty, George (Kelly Hacio), Robert (Pamela) and Elizabeth. Four grandchildren Christina (Derek Noyes), Alexandra (Jeff Jones), Spencer and Neave Badanai, four great grandchildren, Emilia and Gavin Noyes, Julianna and Sophia Jones. Grandpa Bert had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He proudly gave the toast to the bride at Christina and Alexandra’s weddings.
Bert’s family would like to thank Dr. Taha, at TBRHSC, Dr. Andrew Migay and the nurses at St. Joseph’s Hospice, especially, Theresa and Grace for their help and compassionate care. Thank you to the support staff at P.R. Cook for taking excellent care of Bert these past few months.
Special appreciation and thank you to Dr. Stewart Kennedy who put up with Bert’s lectures on proper nutrition and health care for the last 40 years. Special friends, Sargon and Alannah Khubyar and John (Kao) Kowalchuk for their friendship and support, especially in the final days.
Lastly, the family would like to thank our brother Monty for being Bert’s personal care attendant these last few years.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers in memoriam donations may be made to Camp Quality Thunder Bay www.campquality.org/cqnwo
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Hubert Louis George Badanai Friday December 3rd 2021..
sargent and son funeral directors
Death notice for the town of: THUNDER-BAY, Province: Ontario