It is with deep sadness that the family of Allan Michael Zaparaniuk announce his passing.  Allan passed away peacefully with his 3 sisters at his side, on Friday, March 18, 2016.    Allan was the only son to Mike & Pearl Zaparaniuk.  Allan was born in Prince Albert, SK. on May 6, 1955.  The first 6 years of Allan’s life were spent on the family farm in Weirdale, growing up with his sisters, playing with his cousins and spending time with Baba.  After sustaining a serious injury from a fall, our parents sought out medical advice and treatment from numerous doctors in Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Winnipeg.  It was later discovered that the treatments had a devastating effect on Allan’s physical and mental well-being.  At the end of the day, when the doctors said there was no hope for a recovery, we prayed that our love and Allan’s courage would prove them wrong.  It wasn’t to be and to this day, the outcome has been difficult to accept.  As Allan grew, so did the physical demands for his care.  This led to the decision to have Allan cared for at the Valley View Center in Moose Jaw where he would be attended to by nurses, doctors and staff with the appropriate expertise.  Our family made numerous trips every year to Moose Jaw to visit Allan at Valley View which was his home for over 50 years.  The staff at Valley View had regularly planned events.  Allan enjoyed summer picnics, wagon and tractor rides where the wind blew through his hair.  Allan loved sitting in the sun and watching the fish in the aquarium.  He was particularly fond of music and would often clap, laugh and try to sing along.  We have fond memories of our visits where we all laughed and reminisced.  In 2014 the Valley View Center announced that the facility would be closing.  Fortunately we were able to find very suitable facilities at the Kindersley Heritage Manor.  On June 24, 2014, this became Allan’s new home.  Allan’s family made numerous visits to see him in Kindersley, during which time there were many special moments and lots of laughter.  During our visits we met the staff members and came to realize that they too treated Allan like he was a member of their family.  Our family wishes to express sincere thanks to the entire team who looked after Allan at both facilities.  Allan loved all of his care givers!  Despite the disabilities that Allan had to endure, he became our best teacher and an inspiration to us all.  Allan was the catalyst that made our family strong.  From him, we learned what was important in life.  Allan will be lovingly remembered by his 3 sisters and nieces and nephews:  Marlene (Bill) Barzeele of Little Bear Lake, and their children, Heather Barzeele, Clark (Camille) Barzeele and their family, Joy, Will, Liam and Charlie; Diane (Murray) Semchuck of Calgary and their son Trevor (Cait) and their son Gus; Sharon (Russ) Podhorodecki of Saskatoon and her children Landon and Rachel Adams.  Allan was predeceased by his mother, Pearl (nee Boyarchuk) Zaparaniuk in 1995 and father, Mike Zaparaniuk in 2002.  Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at Gray’s Funeral Chapel, 575 – 28th Street West, Prince Albert, SK with Celebrant Val Bodnaryk.  Interment will be held at South Hill Cemetery.  If friends and family so desire, in lieu of other tributes, memorial donations may be made in Allan’s name to the Kindersley and District Health and Wellness Foundation for the Heritage Manor Room Revitalization Project, Box 195, Kindersley SK, S0L 1S0.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306-922-4729).

• Date : 2016-03-18