We are saddened to announce the passing of Anthony “Tony” Zahara who passed away peacefully with his daughter, Adeline, by his side at St. Joseph’s Home, in Saskatoon, SK, on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the age of 97 years.  
Tony was born on Thursday, August 18, 1921, in Kalyna District, North East of Prince Albert, SK. He lived a long, happy, and hard working life. In his early years, he was an avid hunter and trapper, and also used to do some logging.  In the early 40s he leased some land and hired his nephew, Mike Hoko, to help him work the land. Never one to stay still, he then did construction and carpentry, building his first family home on 2nd Street in Prince Albert in 1945.  Shortly after, he married the love of his life, Mary, on November 10, 1946 in Samburg, SK.  With Mary by his side, Tony worked in bush camps cutting roads for logging, hauling, somehow making time to raise their two children, Adeline and Dale. In the 50s, Tony put his hand to building houses in Uranium City, in the mid 60s he acquired his Papers for a Journeyman Carpenter and worked on the construction of the Pulp Mill in Prince Albert. Through the latter part of the 60s, he stayed around Prince Albert, building the community through homebuilding and renovations, wrapping his career up in the 70s doing more homebuilding and renovations for Indigenous Affairs Canada in Northern Saskatchewan. 
Throughout Tony’s life, he loved fishing especially ice fishing and won a few awards for the biggest fish.   Once they retired, he and Mary loved to travel, visiting Texas, Hawaii, and more cities across America. In retirement years, he loved to go to the lake and fish with his family in the summer and blueberry pick with Mary up North. He went daily to hook up for coffee with his buddies at the local hotel. He spent many weekends playing cards with his good friends Steve and Anne Kzowey and his wife Mary. In later years, he loved when anyone came to visit him at St Joseph’s whether it was his daughter bringing coffee and treats, or his extended family and friends dropping in for a visit.  He loved playing with his great grandchildren and was always teasing and playing with them when they came to visit him. Tony was a special person in many people’s eyes and will be dearly missed.
Tony received great care by the Sisters and Staff at St Joseph’s Home in Saskatoon, along with his physician Dr. A. Van Zanten.
He is survived by his daughter, Adeline (Allan) Gagnon; his son, Dale (Judi) Zahara; his grandchildren, Ashley (Ryan) Piecowye, Aimee (James Scott) Gagnon, Dustin (Kady Washtock) Zahara; and his great-grandchildren, Emma and Hannah Piecowye; his sister, Helen Ukrainec; his sister-in-law, Olga Zahara; and many nieces and nephews. 
Tony was predeceased by his loving wife, Mary Zahara (nee Denesyk);  his father and mother, Alex & Veronica Zahara; his father and mother-in-law, John and Anne Denesyk; his sisters, Annie (Sam) Hoko, Rosie (William) Ukranic; his brothers, Jack Zahara in infancy and John Zahara; and his granddaughter, Andrea Zahara.
A private family service will be held.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the Residence Programs at St. Joseph’s Home, 33 Valens Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 3S2, or another charity of choice, would be greatly appreciated. Online condolences may be left at https://www.arbormemorial.ca/riverpark/Obituaries/anthony-zahara/34070 . Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of River Park Funeral Home, (306) 764-2727, Don Moriarty, Funeral Director.

 

• Date : 2019-05-11
• Location : Saskatoon, SK