Aaron Bradley Otsig
May 30, 1983 – December 17, 2023
Aaron Bradley Otsig was born on May 30, 1983, in Watson, SK, to Kevin and Shauna Otsig. He was the eldest child with two younger sisters, Krista and Ashley. Aaron was very protective of his sisters. He looked out for them but tended to find ways to tease them as a good brother should. At the young age of 7 years old, Aaron started playing hockey which became a lifelong passion of his and he was a force to be reckoned with on the ice. He attended school in Watson, SK and grew up on a nearby farm. He was always a happy youngster ready and willing to help or just go for a ride in the tractors or trucks. He took great pride in working on the farm alongside his father, Kevin Otsig and grandfather, Don Wittig. Following graduation in 2001, he continued to help on the farm when he could but decided to further his education. Aaron completed a two-year program in Civil Engineering in Moose Jaw. Afterwards, he pursued a surveying career with the Department of Highways. In 2010, Aaron decided to further his career in surveying by seeking employment with the Nutrien Potash Mine in Lanigan and relocated to Humboldt, Sk. Most recently, before he took ill, he was promoted to a managerial role of Mine Operations Coordinator which he was very dedicated to and took great pride in his work.
Aaron had many passions, one of which was hunting. Aaron was introduced to the sport of hunting by his father and uncles. Later in life, he wanted to share his passion with everyone including his wife, Jackie and even carted along their kids, and helped his nephew Jaxon get his first deer. One of his hunting buddies was someone who was like a brother to Aaron, someone who was his partner in crime, Matt Govan. If Aaron wasn’t at home or work, you would almost always find him at the Govan Ranch helping with whatever needed doing or just visiting with the family. Matt spent countless hours with Aaron in the hospital and this intense friendship was undeniable as Aaron’s eyes would light up when he walked in the room. Other hobbies of Aaron’s included going to the family cabin at White Swan Lake to quad, snowmobile, kayak or fish. Aaron said it was their own little piece of paradise.
Aaron met the love of his life, Jackie, in 2016 and they were married March 31, 2018. Their first child, a daughter, Grace Marie, was born on August 18, 2018. Everything was going well until July 2019 when Aaron started feeling unwell. Aaron was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) on July 13, 2019, and started chemo and radiation. He was able to get into remission and was prepared for 2 years of treatment and regular follow-ups. Unfortunately, this plan changed when he found out he relapsed in May 2020, the cancer was back. Aaron spent lots of time in the hospital the summer of 2020, thankfully they were able to get him into remission again. On August 20, 2020, he received a stem cell transplant from his sister, Krista. After the transplant, there were complications including graft vs host disease, shingles in his eye and brain, low energy and low immunity.
Aaron missed the peace and quiet of the rural life, so Aaron and Jackie decided to buy an acreage just outside of Humboldt in the fall of 2021. When Aaron had some energy and felt well enough, he spent all his spare time updating the home to make it their own. On February 13th, 2022, the world stopped or at least their house projects stopped temporarily, when Aaron and Jackie welcomed their son, George Bradley into the world. Aaron was a family-oriented man and would always find time to visit or attend family functions. This was evident within his own little family as he was a loving husband, devoted father and enjoyed spending time with Grace and George. Aaron’s illness rarely stopped him from helping his family or friends when they were in need. He would do anything needed for those he held close to his heart.
Aaron began feeling unwell during the summer of 2023 and was diagnosed September 18, 2023, with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a type of rare blood cancer. Aaron was faced with a tough decision of whether to take treatment or not. As a true warrior, he could not stop fighting and chose to take treatment, even though the odds were once again not in his favour, in hopes of getting more time with his family. Unfortunately, he contracted Influenza A, RSV, and Rhino viruses during treatment which landed him in the hospital in November. Also, the treatment did not work as everyone had hoped and he was told that his time was limited. He spent his last weeks in the hospital but was able to come home for a few days at a time to be with his children. On Sunday, December 17 at the age of 40, Aaron lost his fight but not for a lack of trying. His only regret was leaving his children behind and not being able to be with them as they grow. Aaron touched the lives of so many people. He will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by: his wife Jackie (née Rancourt) and children Grace and George; parents: Kevin and Shauna (née Wittig) Otsig; sisters: Krista (Jason) Doering and children Jaxon and Jett; Ashley (Rance) Anderson and children Chase and Lily; best friend Mathew (Amber) Govan and children Paige and Jordyn; mother-in-law, Claire Rancourt; brothers-in-law and their families; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Aaron was predeceased by: his grandparents: George (1986) and Ruth (2004) Otsig; and Don (2019) and Betty (2023) Wittig; father-in-law, Martin Rancourt (2020); and numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles. The Funeral Service was held at Westminster United Church, Humboldt, SK on Friday, January 5, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., presided over by Rev. Al Hingley. Others taking part were: Randy Wittig, eulogist; Mark Fouhse and Garret Miskolczi, readers; Paige and Jordyn Govan, memorial table attendants; and Matthew Govan, urn bearer. Interment took place at the Humboldt Public Cemetery, Humboldt, SK, followed by a memorial luncheon at the Westminster United Church. Donations may be directed to a Fund for George and Grace Otsig (P.O. Box 3657, Humboldt, SK, S0K 2A0) or Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (llscanada.org); Toll-free 1-833-222-4884; P.O. box 9713 Station M, Calgary, AB, T2P 0E9.).
This Notice Is Courtesy Of
Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral & Cremation Services - Humboldt, Saskatchewan
(306-682-4114)