Person Page 4,569

Benjamin Donald Yuzak was born on 28 May 1987 in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada.¹ He died on 19 November 2005, at age 18, in Veteran, Alberta, Canada.¹ He was buried on 24 November 2005.²

Benjamin Donald Yuzak
May 28, 1987 - Nov. 19, 2005

Benjamin Donald Yuzak passed away on November 19, 2005 near Veteran, Alberta.

He leaves to mourn his passing his parents Peggy Howell (Ralph Gallais) of Monitor, Alberta; Don Yuzak of Estevan, Saskatchewan; grandparents Bernard & Lillian Yuzak of Alvena, Saskatchewan; grandmother Margaret Gallais of Melfort, Saskatchewan; brothers Russell Yuzak of Hamilton, Ontario, Kirk (Michelle) Gallais of Red Deer, Alberta; sisters Casey Yuzak (Jeremy Feusi) of Grande Prairie, Alberta, Ashley Yuzak of Monitor, Alberta, Kimberley (Dave) Galway of Hamilton, Ontario, Tiffany (John) Kardash of Calgary, Alberta, Chelsey Gallais (Allen Grunewald) of Calgary, Alberta as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

His Grandparents Vernon Howell and Lowaine Nesvold predeceased Ben.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, November 24, 2005 at 2:00 PM in the Consort Sportex with Reverend Joselito Empleo Cantal officiating. Readers were Connie Tyliszczak and Marty Oxamitny; Prayers of the Faithful were by Kathy Stables. Stacey Benedict gave the tribute. Special recorded music by Nickelback “If Everyone Cared” and “Photograph” were played. “All of Ben’s Many Friends” were Honorary Pallbearers while Active Pallbearers were Chad Wittmack, Dustin Deagle, Justin Wiest, Shane Ference, Brandon Koebel, Justin Wiechnik, Ricky Kroeger and Adam Gillespie. Following the funeral service, friends and family gathered in the Consort Sportex for a time of fellowship and refreshments served by the Catholic Women’s Alter Guild. Interment took place in Estevan, Saskatchewan on Saturday, November 26, 2005.

If friends desire memorial donations may be made to S.T.A.R.S. Air Ambulance or the Consort Health Care Complex Auxiliary. Parkview Funeral Chapels and Crematorium “Families Serving Families” were entrusted with the care and arrangements. For further information please call Dean Ross or Verna Rock at 578-3777.

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Tribute
by Stacey Benedict

On May 28, 1987 Peggy Howell and Donald Yuzak were overjoyed bringing Benjamin Donald Yuzak into the world. Ben blessed his family and friends lives over the next 18 years with memories that will last a lifetime.

Ben grew up in Estevan, Saskatchewan with two wonderful sisters Casey and Ashley. He also has two half siblings Kimberly and Russell from Hamilton, Ontario. Ben moved to Consort in 1997 with his wonderful mother Peggy. This is where Ben met Ralph Gallais and his stepsisters Chelsey and Tiffany and stepbrother Kirk. Ben also found many great friends in Consort and will be remembered by each and every one of us.

Ben was a joyful spirit and well liked and loved by his family, friends and many acquaintances. Always full of energy and enthusiasm; you were made aware of his presence whether it was greeting friends and family with a hug, a joke or just a pat on the back. There was never a frown in the room when Ben made his presence known. Ben was so energetic and mischievous; he came by his nickname “Monkey” honestly. Always jumping around or hanging off something at work. Ben’s favourite nickname was one he bestowed upon himself “Big Bad Ben.” There is a story behind this but I don’t really know what it is, so if you're really curious ask Shane and Brandon. Another that was used often by his family was “Benner.” This was used because it was longer than Ben and shorter than Benjamin; it was also meant for meaning mommy’s little boy.

Ben worked construction for John Wiest and Justin Wiest for four years. He really loved his job and always had the ambition to get up in the morning and go to work; no matter what time he went to bed or what he did the night before he would always go. He had the drive to do things and do it right; he never had to be told more than once to do it, he would just go off and do it.

Ben having the ambition and drive was also getting into some sort of trouble. He was quite the klutz, falling down or getting stitches. One story I had heard was when Ben was little; he and his Uncle Sylvester had decided to go for a walk; well to say the least Ben hurt himself again. They got back to the house and Ben, once again needed stitches. It was a good thing the hospital was only two doors down and to Ben’s luck; they hadn’t even put his file away from his previous visit. I think they knew Ben was going to be back.

Ben, being energetic, loved to play hockey; if he wasn’t playing hockey, he was thinking about it or out skating. He played hockey for three years, then decided maybe it was time to quit after getting many concussions. He was a hard skater and worked hard for what he wanted. One year at hockey provincials, Ben walked into the dressing room with a skullet. He had someone else by his side, not mentioning names, but Shane, I think you know what I’m talking about. When Ben had any spare time, he loved to play poker with his friends. He always had fun and knew how to have a good time. There was never a dull moment when Ben was around. He was always singing, dancing, cracking a joke or just talking with buddies. He was not frequently seen without a smile on his face.

One thing I’m going to remember is when I lived in Veteran, I would look forward to going home after work because I knew Ben would be there waiting or show up after I got home. It was great to look forward to seeing him and having our usual “How did your day go?” talk.
Ben always knew how to make his friends laugh. Although he had a quirky, energetic side, he also had a serious side. If you needed someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on he was there to listen and tell you everything would be okay. I’m sure all of Ben’s friends and family have seen this side of him on more than one occasion. He was so willing to give his friends anything. He would have given you the shirt off of his back if you asked for it.

Ben had a lot of individual qualities to him that his family and friends will never forget. There were two things that really stood out. One thing was his crooked smile. It was so cute when he smiled; he had one little dimple from his sweet innocent crooked smile. He also had this twinkle in his eye that would light up the whole room. His twinkle was like no other. You could see his twinkling eye from miles away.

Ben was a great kid and greatly loved by all his family and friends. His grandfather, grandmother and many other family members, will meet him with loving arms. Ben, you will be greatly missed by all and just remember; he is in a better place watching over all of us.
We love you Ben and always will.

Frederick B. (Bernie) Howes was born in 1896 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. He and Minnie Muriel Wintermute were married on 30 December 1922 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan.¹ He died in June 1974, at age ~78.

Herbert Joseph McLaughlin was born on 1 July 1919 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.¹ He and Lela Lenore Daley were married on 25 August 1948 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan.¹ He died on 12 April 1968, at age 48, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.¹