Obituary of Alex Xenophont Dzubin

Alex Xenophont Dzubin of Saskatoon died peacefully on Wednesday December 7 2016 He was predeceased by his loving wife of 45 years Delores, his parents Sam & Olga, and his sisters Sonia & Emma. Alex is survived by son Thomas (Lois), daughter Jean (Gerry), three grandchildren Helen Knight (Owen), Maggie Knight (Chris), and Emma Knight, and five nephews Robert, Zubin, John, Jim, and Scott. Alex was born on June 28, 1929 in Michel, a coal-mining community in South-East British Columbia, Canada. While growing up, hunting and fishing were part of surviving the depression and also became a passion that continued throughout the rest of his life. He earned a Bachelors degree in Biology from UBC and in the early 1950s did field work at the Delta Waterfowl Research Station in Minnedosa, Manitoba and began working on ducks and geese. In the fall of 1953, while earning a Masters degree from the University of Wisconsin (Madison), Alex met Delores Schlinske, a nurse at Madison General Hospital. Her smile won him over and they were married a year later and moved to Ottawa where Alex began work for the Federal Government and they suffered the tragedy of losing their first child. Alex and Delores moved to Saskatoon in 1956. After buying a home in 1958, a daughter, Jean Louise, soon followed. Then, a son, Gordie in 1960 who died at nine months of age. In 1961 they welcomed another son, Thomas Alexander and family life began in earnest with much travel to Wisconsin and BC to keep connected to family. Work would bring Alex and Delores into Kindersley and area where they would make lifelong friends while studying Geese for the Canadian Wildlife Service. Gardening was more than just a hobby in Saskatoon where his yearly bounty of cucumbers and tomatoes gave him immense pleasure. His love of the nature led to family trips to Banff, Radium Hot Springs, and Lake Louise where he handed down camping and other outdoor skills to Jean and Tom. Alex was a very involved parent, going to all school concerts and plays put on by his kids, even cutting short business trips to attend productions. Alex's Ukrainian heritage was very important and, with his family, celebrated traditions such as Ukrainian Christmas and the twelve meatless dishes which he would cook. Alex and Delores attended, and were involved in many church activities at both St. Martins and Knox United Churches. Alex worked as an ornithologist for the Canadian Wildlife Service throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s and thrived on his love of science, finally retiring in 1989. However, even after retiring, he continued research, publishing papers, and travelling to the Arctic studying geese where he loved to mentor students. He believed in celebrating people not just accomplishments and was known for celebrating everyone's birthday with cake and singing. Alex was a very generous man. Life changed forever when he lost the love of his life, Delores in March of 2000, but he still continued travelling, research, and camping and being involved with his children and grandchildren. Alex and Delores were world travellers; going to England, France, Russia, Mexico, and Hawaii. They would host neighbourhood and work get-togethers. Alex had a gift for last-minute hospitality which would drive Delores crazy. He knew how to cook a great steak and enjoy a good cigar. He believed in being a good neighbour and enjoyed them, notably John DeCorby & Mary Lissel and their children Hannah, Aida, and Elsa, the next door neighbours who would become a second family to him after Delores died. Movies, music, and books were enjoyments but he adored his grandchildren. Alex moved into Preston Park II, a retirement residence in June 2015 and made many new friends. The family would like to thank the staff at the RUH emergency department and Unit 5000 for the care in his final hours. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heard and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.