Obituary of John Gruell

JOHN GRUELL
July 6,1926 – February 25,2020
 

A LIFE WELL LIVED

John Gruell passed away peacefully in Saskatoon, at the age of 93 after a 10-year journey with Alzheimer’s. Dad was born July 6, 1926 at a CP Rail water stop called Astum 16 miles from Kerrobert Sk. His father Nicholai had immigrated from the Chernivtsi region of the Ukraine.  His mother Domina was 1st generation Canadian born in Insinger Sk. Dad’s first language was Ukrainian and he learned English when he started school. His family moved to Moose Jaw about 1934. Growing up in the 30’s was really tough; this was the time of the dust bowl. Dad had 8 siblings and his parents, like everyone else was finding money tight.  Consequently, dad quit school after grade 9 and entered the work force. He joined the army at the age of 18 and served 15 months. Assigned to various places in Alberta guarding prisoners of war. In 1952 he married a little Irish girl from Moose Jaw by the name of Evelyn Armstrong.  Three kids later dad decided he better find a career that would provide a better living. So, he got into the field of Steam Heating Engineering.  Working and studying, 8 years later he obtained his designation of 1st Class Steam Heating Engineer.  The family expanded by 2 more, bringing the total to five.  By now we were living at Fort San in the Qu’Appelle Valley. The poverty and social conditions of the thirties had laid the groundwork for the kind of man our dad became.  While living in Moose Jaw, he joined the CCF party, he wanted a government that provided social programs for citizens everywhere. Tommy Douglas was another man that had the same beliefs as Dad and the two of them would talk politics at our supper table and so would many other political candidates over the years.  No matter where my father lived, if there was an election called, he would be out in the community introducing the candidate to friends and neighbours. Probably because Ukrainians were not widely accepted into Canada in his early childhood, dad understood racism.  He had no use for that concept, everyone was a human being, period.  Over the years dad could be found working as president for his local union; sitting as a board member of the local co-op and local credit union. He believed in the power of the people and worked tirelessly to make the society we lived in a better place for all. A lot of the social programs we have in place today, are because of men and women like my father who dedicated their time to make these ideas come to fruition. My parents built themselves a house when they retired to Caron Sk, they spent many happy years there. That was a wonderful gathering place for big family dinners and special occasions. Mom and Dad loved to have their family around them, the more the merrier. Our dad was always interested in cars and gardening, and he was able to spend countless hours enjoying both. The time then came when they needed to slow down and they moved into a Seniors Cooperative Apt in Moose Jaw.  Dad became involved on the Coop Board sitting as a Finance Committee member.  He also became a member of the Seniors club in Moose Jaw, learning to play bridge in his seventies. It was around 2011 dad started exhibiting signs of Alzheimer’s. When his wife Evelyn passed away Dec 2014 he could no longer live on his own. He resided in Saskatoon with his daughter and her husband for 2.5 years and then he moved into a Long-Term Care Facility. Dad passed away 2.5 years later with his Daughter Brenda and Son Bentley sitting vigil at his bedside. He is survived by 1 daughter and 4 sons; Brenda (Bill) Cromwell, Bentley, Bernie, Barry (Donna), Brian (Eva); 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; 6 siblings; 5 sister in-laws and 2 brothers-in-law. There will be a private family “celebration of life” and interment of cremated remains at Rosedale Cemetery, Moose Jaw Sk in the summer. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Society or Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.