Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that the Sapach family announces the sudden passing of their son, brother, and father, Gene Brian Sapach on October 20, 2022, in Grande Prairie, AB.
Gene was born to parents Eugene and Adella (nee Balysky) Sapach on July 8, 1971, in Lanigan, SK. He spent the first few years of his life growing up in the Lanigan and Guernsey areas before the family relocated back to the farm in the Arabella district of Saskatchewan. Gene loved growing up on the farm, as anyone who has heard his stories could tell. Whether it was running equipment, going to auction sales with his dad, or misadventures with his brother, and sometimes father, it was a youth that truly fit who Gene was.
Gene attended Norquay School until 1987, when the family relocated off the farm to Hinchcliff, SK. After the move, Gene attended high school in Sturgis, SK, until his graduation in 1990. Gene’s farming roots did not leave him throughout his teen years as he worked for local farmers until after his graduation. As with many young people, Gene had his sights set on something bigger, which found him and his brother, Daniel, relocating to Moose Jaw, SK, in the fall of 1990. These years in Gene’s life saw many milestones and proud moments from attending SIAST and having various careers in the Moose Jaw and Regina areas, to his first marriage and the birth of his son, Matthew. It was in 2001 that Gene decided to pursue a career in the oil field, which would set the ultimate direction for the remainder of his life.
With this new career path, Gene relocated to Hinton, AB. During these years, Gene worked on both drilling and service rigs, but found his true passion with the service rigs. His exceptional work ethic, continuous drive, quick learning, and ability to “figure it out” paired with the personable Gene that everyone knew and loved saw him move through the ranks, becoming an Operations Manager for Concord Well Servicing in May 2006. It was in these years that saw Gene relocate from Hinton to Beaverlodge and eventually settling in Grande Prairie, AB. During his time in Grande Prairie, Gene continued his works in Operations and Account Management through positions with Essential Well Service, Treeline Well Service, and finally Hurley Well Servicing.
The community that Gene established through work was like a second family to him. He had the ability to create a special connection with those around him. From being “one of the good ones” to a friend and mentor, he created a lasting impression on many people in his life, by which he will be dearly remembered. His infectious laugh, bright smile, ability to make anyone feel welcome and being a salt of the earth person who would provide you with comfort and give you the shirt off his back in a time of need, words cannot begin to describe how much he will be missed.
Gene was married for a second time in 2012, which led to the single proudest moment of his life in Grande Prairie, the birth of his daughter Abigail in 2013. She was the center of his world, owned all his heart and meant everything to Gene.
As a brother and son, Gene was a friend, a caretaker, a source of guidance, and someone who just knew the right time to make you laugh; there is nothing that will fill the hole that is left by his passing. His memory will forever be held close by all he knew and loved.
Beyond friends and family, Gene centered his life around his faith. Being a devout Ukrainian Catholic and Knights of Columbus, he relied on faith and fellowship as pillars in his life, which helped fortify the truly amazing person that he was.
Gene is predeceased by his grandparents, Walter and Anne (nee Kowch) Sapach and Steve and Mary (nee Krutz) Balysky; and his father, Eugene Sapach.
He is survived by his son, Matthew Sapach and daughter, Abigail Sapach; mother, Adella Sapach; sister, Amanda (John) Zbitniff; and brothers, Daniel (Tracey) Sapach and Nathan (Michelle) Sapach; along with nieces and nephews, Jordan, Victoria, Emily and Morgan.
A Private Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 3, 2022, from Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Canora, SK, with Very Rev. Fr. Joakim Rac as Celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow in the Canora Cemetery. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Gene Sapach.
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2022
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gene Sapach 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Canora, Province: Saskatchewan