Joseph Tokarz, late of Weyburn, SK, passed away on January 13, 2017 at the age of 88 years.

Joseph was predeceased by his parents: Cyryl and Anne Tokarz; wife Dorothy; brothers and sisters in infancy; brother Henry Tokarz; sister Valerie Schaefer.

Joseph is survived by his children: Blaine Tokarz (Karen); Sharan (Glenn) Walkeden; his grandchildren: Megan and Kelsie Walkeden; Brooke and Travis Tokarz; Nick Vilcu and George Schaefer; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. 

Joseph Walter Tokarz was born on February 9, 1928 on a farm outside of Cedoux, Saskatchewan, and was the youngest child of Cyryl and Anne Tokarz. He had the typical farm-boy childhood, working on the farm with his siblings, particularly his brother Henry whom he thought the world of, and always looked up to for advice and guidance.  He had always enjoyed farming, and loved to chat with family and friends about crops and the goings on on the family farms. Growing up, he had also enjoyed working on machinery and took pride in fixing and keeping up with his equipment.

On October 29, 1955 Joe had married Dorothy Novenski after they had met at a café that Dorothy was working at in Regina. Grandpa Joe was working in Regina at a machinery shop at the time, and once married they moved to a farm north of Griffin, Saskatchewan to begin their own farm and family. At this time, they had an expanding crop farm as well as many different animals such as geese, chickens and cattle, however they did not have such amenities as running water or a telephone, and still relied on a coal and wood burning stove. In 1958 they welcomed their first child, Blaine Larry and in 1961 they welcomed Sharan Fay, and it was then that they moved into the town of Griffin. Grandpa Joe continued to farm throughout this life with Henry and later with Blaine, even after they moved into Weyburn in 1993, at which time he commuted from town to the farm.  He was dedicated to his Ford model trucks, Co-op tractors and Massey combines, and did not like to part with any of his machinery, even in his later years.

Joe and Dorothy enjoyed the farm life and the simplicity that often came with this, and believed that it was important to raise their family with the farming values that were instilled in them growing up.  Grandpa Joe also enjoyed the perks of Grandma Dorothy being the homemaker that she was, especially the fantastic meals that she would prepare, such as homemade perogies, cabbage roles, and of course a prosake for dessert. Grandpa Joe and Grandma Dorothy liked gambling and would take annual trips to different casinos around the countryside and even into the US. Joe spent most of his retired days with his friends at the coffee shops, and many of his nights at home playing cards. He always loved to play nine-hand rummy, but you were only allowed to participate if you forked over some money first to play with. He was a stickler for this rule. I remember growing up and going to visit him at his house, he was always one of three places: either out for coffee,  in his chair in the living room, or in his chair at the kitchen table. It is easy to say that he was a creature of habit. He also always enjoyed a shot of butter ripple schnapps or a beer or a rye, and once laughed at how he was able to get a beer for 25 cents when he was first allowed to drink.

After some years of health complications, and the passing of Grandma Dorothy in 2013, he was moved to Tatagwa View in Weyburn  in February 2015 and this was perhaps when we were able to get to know him best. He was always up for a chat and would spend countless hours listening to whatever good gossip anyone would have to share with him. He especially enjoyed the pub nights that Tatagwa would put on once a month, and would always have a double rye short, which made you wonder what he would have been like in his prime days, let alone now that he was 88.

Grandpa will be remembered by his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and many other family and friends. We can rest assured that Grandpa is among friends, and we can toast to a life well lived.

Prayers were held on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 7:00pm from  RD Family Funeral Chapel with Father Ferdinand Eusebio.  A Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph was held Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 11:00am from St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church with Father Gerry Bauche celebrant. Active Pallbearers were:  Henry Schaefer, Richard Schaefer, Mark Vilcu, Wilf Gall, Kenny Bahnuick and Garry Bahnuick.  Honorary Pallbearers were all in attendance.  Interment took place at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn, SK with lunch following at the McKenna Hall, Weyburn, SK.

For family and friends so wishing, charitable donations in memory of Joseph may be made to a charity of your choice.

 Service Information