Leo Bernard Saretsky
August 2, 1923 – July 5, 2024
Leo Bernard Saretsky passed away on Friday, July 5, 2024, at St. Mary’s Villa, at the age of 100 years. He was born on August 2, 1923, in Humboldt, SK, to Bernard and Anna Saretsky. Leo was one of 12 children. When he was young the family moved many times for his father’s career on the railroad. In 1932 Leo’s father found steady employment in Richlea, SK, and he was able to complete his Grade 11 education there. In August 1943, Leo joined the Navy and was stationed in Halifax, NS, where he was deployed to Europe and was based on the Canadian Naval base in Niobe, Scotland. In the summer of 1945, Leo was assigned as a Telegrapher, to the HMCS Trentonian, corvette class ship that had 99 Navy members aboard. It was their duty to escort merchant ships leaving from England and Leo was aboard when it became the last Canadian ship in WW2 to be sunk by torpedo, from a German submarine in the English Channel. Leo was released from service, returned home to Richlea in February 1946, and started his 38-year career of railroading in Track Maintenance. He worked in many places across Saskatchewan including Biggar, Allan, Saskatoon and finally Humboldt. Leo lived with his mother and two sisters until they all passed, and then alone for a few years, before he moved to Quill Plains Centennial Lodge, and then St. Mary’s Villa in 2015. Leo loved to dance, play board games and cards. He was on a bowling team and supervised bowling for people with disabilities for many years. Leo was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Minus One Club, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #28 and the Senior Citizens Group. He will be lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Bernard and Anna Saretsky; four siblings in infancy: Frances, Ann, Rita and Bernard; and seven other siblings: Agnes (Joe) L’Henaff, Margaret Saretsky, Theresia (Lou) Brassard, Dorothy (John) Hall, Frank (Helen) Saretsky, Mathilda “Tillie” Saretsky and Tony (Carmel) Saretsky. The Prayer Service for Leo was held at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, Humboldt, SK, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., presided by Deacon Michael Hall. Others taking part were: Connie Hall, scripture reader; Rio Hall, intentions; and Michelle Peters, music ministry. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, Humboldt, on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Paul Oshin and concelebrated by Deacon Michael Hall. Others taking part were: Terry Saretsky, crossbearer; Geri Hall and Louis Hradecki, scripture readers; Benedict Hall, intentions; Stephanie Moorman and Illiana Moorman, giftbearers; Connie Hall and Rio Hall memorial table attendants. Music ministry was provided by director Loretta Schugmann, pianist Carol Esler, and members of the St. Augustine Parish Funeral Choir. Pallbearers were David Hall, Ken Hall, Tom Saretsky, Denis Brassard, Gerard Saretsky, and Vincent Saretsky. An honor guard was formed by members of the Knights of Columbus and the Royal Canadian Legion Humboldt Branch #28. Interment followed at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to St. Mary’s Villa Foundation - Building Fund (P.O. Box 1743, Humboldt, SK, S0K 2A0) or Humboldt Royal Canadian Legion Branch #28 (P.O. Box 1981, Humboldt, SK, S0K 2A0).
This Notice Is Courtesy Of
Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral & Cremation Services - Humboldt, Saskatchewan
(306-682-4114)