Bossaer, Julian Leon

January 18, 1929 – Febuary 8, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father Julian Bossaer. He passed away peacefully at Battlefords Union Hospital.

Dad was born on January 18, 1929, in the Highworth district N.E. of North Battleford. He took his education from grades 1 to 10 at Highworth School which was two miles west of their farm. He was the eldest of three children born to Leon and Idalie Bossaer that emigrated from Belgium who have since passed away in 1970 and 1999, respectively. Dad is survived by his two sons: Elmer and Grant; his sister, Marguerite and four grandchildren. He is pre-deceased by his wife, Mary (Aug 22, 2017) and younger brother, Maurice.

Life on the farm during the depression was difficult for raising a family. Farming was poor with drought and low prices for farm commodities. Dad’s family did anything to survive including growing their own vegetables, raising cattle and pigs, picking berries and canning goods for the winter. Cattle raised at that time were usually sold to the local stockyard or butcher in North Battleford. Dad continued farming with his father until 1964 when the farm was sold.

Dad married Mary Anderson on February 27, 1960, and purchased their first home in North Battleford. From this marriage they had two sons: Elmer (Svetlana Bilous) and Grant (Myra). Grant and Myra then blessed Mom and Dad with four grandchildren: Eric, Mitchell, Evan and Jaclyn.

Dad worked for Westfair Foods from 1958 to 1981. For a few years during this time, he left Westfair to sell farm equipment. Dad’s first position at Westfair was delivering groceries to stores in the city and Battleford. He went on to grocery picker putting up orders for stores, then to receiver, then salesman covering the Northwest corner of the province. He then became store supervisor for the former Red & White and Lucky Dollar stores. In the final 8 years with Westfair Foods, he was Produce Manager. Dad transitioned to semiretirement as a caretaker for Notre Dame Church and a school bus driver for 11 years until 1993. He continued to do odd carpentry work for other people.

Dad, with the assistance of his family including his cousin Octave, renovated a house that was moved to Turtle Lake from North Battleford in 1975. The following year, our family built a new home in North Battleford while Dad maintained his job at the wholesale. He enjoyed relaxing at the cabin at Turtle Lake and pleasant trips to Alberta and British Columbia. Dad and Mom did a fair amount of traveling across Canada and other countries in Europe such as Nederland, Belgium, France, England and Spain and other countries like Morocco, Mexico, Costa Rica and USA.

Dad was on the Notre Dame Church council for two terms. He was a third-degree member of the local Knights of Columbus #2094 since 1978 and looked after the hall rental for a number of years.

We would like to thank the staff of River Heights Lodge for the care and comfort they gave our father in the last years of his life.

Our loving father will be missed by his family and friends.

Prayer Service for Julian will be held Friday, February 23, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. and Funeral Mass will take place Saturday, February 24, 2024 – 2:00 p.m. both services being held from Notre Dame de Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, North Battleford, SK with Father Millan Sajonas as officiant. For those unable to attend the services a recording will be posted at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca. Memorial donations in memory of Julian can be made to the BUH Foundation – Box 1358 North Battleford, SK S9A 3L8. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium – Vanessa Macnab Funeral Director.

• Date : 2024-02-13
• Location : North Battleford, SK