Obituary for Frederick John Slobodzian
After waging an epic battle against cancer for the past two years, Fred is finally pain-free and at peace. He passed away on May 9, 2023, surrounded by his wife and children. Fred was born in Melville, Saskatchewan on February 10, 1960, to John and Anne Slobodzian. He often spoke fondly and with pride of growing up in the small village of Killaly where his parents owned and operated the hotel and bar. It was an age of innocence, or so he would have you believe. Fred and his wife, Monica, were married on August 19, 1983, and together, enjoyed raising their three children between Regina, Spiritwood, and Melfort, where they have now resided for the past 25 years.
Fred enjoyed working in the health sector for 41 years, starting as a dish washer at the Pasqua Hospital. He understood that this path would not support his family in the way he desired, so returned to university at the age of 22 to obtain a degree in business. Throughout his career, he sought to better himself through hard work and determination, retiring as the Director of Supply Chain for rural Saskatchewan when Covid hit, at which time he was offered and accepted the position of Provincial Pandemic Warehouse Coordinator with the SHA. It was a position meant for him and he rose to the occasion in the midst of uncertainly, challenging times and frustrations. Fred modelled what “customer service” should look like. He retired officially on April 1, 2023. He developed many lifelong friendships throughout his time with the SHA that remained until the time of his passing.
Fred was very involved in both his kids’ and grandkids’ lives. He coached his three children in softball and baseball, celebrating several provincial titles over 35 years. His quiet, but strong leadership was something that his players admired and respected. He put in countless hours to help each individual player become better on and off the field. When Fred hung up his coaching hat, he moved to becoming a cheerleader for his grandkids, always offering uniquely unsolicited guidance after a game. He just couldn’t help himself…he considered it his duty!
Boating, fishing and family time on his beloved pontoon boat were just a few of Fred’s favourite ways to spend a summer day. Monica always caught more, and bigger fish. However, Fred got to take credit because baiting her own hook and taking her catch off were lessons she had no desire to learn. Everyone who knew Fred knew that the biggest catch of his life was his wife, Monica.
After his second cancer diagnosis, the two of them had recently found and purchased their “hot-rod”, a convertible PT Cruiser which led to many road trips to nowhere for small-town diner lunches and many picnics. It was an all too brief glimpse of what life after retirement would look like and it was so good.
Fred has been greeted by many cherished loved ones that have gone before him. He is survived by his loving wife, Monica, children Jonathan (Lucas & Avery); Kacy-Jae & Chris McLean (Addy-J, Sawyer-Grace & Alex); and Emma-Leigh & Clinton Pirio (Gracelyn, Jae, & Dax); Sisters, Sandy & William Campbell, Darlene & Garnet Exner, Sheila & Dennis Will and brother Perry Slobodzian & his partner Gwen; In-law’s Gerry Sinclair, Mary Sinclair & her husband, Graham; Pam Sinclair, Tim Sinclair & his wife Sherri, and Cathy Sinclair as well a many extended family members. In addition, he is survived by so many friends and fantasy friends that he included as chosen family.
There are no words to describe the size of the void his passing has left in each of our worlds. We are left with a legacy of immeasurable love from this mountain of a man.
In Lieu of flowers, friends so wishing may make memorial contributions to Melfort Minor Softball, C/O Box 3981, Melfort, SK S0E 1A0 or by etransfer to melfortminorsoftball@gmail.com
Fred enjoyed working in the health sector for 41 years, starting as a dish washer at the Pasqua Hospital. He understood that this path would not support his family in the way he desired, so returned to university at the age of 22 to obtain a degree in business. Throughout his career, he sought to better himself through hard work and determination, retiring as the Director of Supply Chain for rural Saskatchewan when Covid hit, at which time he was offered and accepted the position of Provincial Pandemic Warehouse Coordinator with the SHA. It was a position meant for him and he rose to the occasion in the midst of uncertainly, challenging times and frustrations. Fred modelled what “customer service” should look like. He retired officially on April 1, 2023. He developed many lifelong friendships throughout his time with the SHA that remained until the time of his passing.
Fred was very involved in both his kids’ and grandkids’ lives. He coached his three children in softball and baseball, celebrating several provincial titles over 35 years. His quiet, but strong leadership was something that his players admired and respected. He put in countless hours to help each individual player become better on and off the field. When Fred hung up his coaching hat, he moved to becoming a cheerleader for his grandkids, always offering uniquely unsolicited guidance after a game. He just couldn’t help himself…he considered it his duty!
Boating, fishing and family time on his beloved pontoon boat were just a few of Fred’s favourite ways to spend a summer day. Monica always caught more, and bigger fish. However, Fred got to take credit because baiting her own hook and taking her catch off were lessons she had no desire to learn. Everyone who knew Fred knew that the biggest catch of his life was his wife, Monica.
After his second cancer diagnosis, the two of them had recently found and purchased their “hot-rod”, a convertible PT Cruiser which led to many road trips to nowhere for small-town diner lunches and many picnics. It was an all too brief glimpse of what life after retirement would look like and it was so good.
Fred has been greeted by many cherished loved ones that have gone before him. He is survived by his loving wife, Monica, children Jonathan (Lucas & Avery); Kacy-Jae & Chris McLean (Addy-J, Sawyer-Grace & Alex); and Emma-Leigh & Clinton Pirio (Gracelyn, Jae, & Dax); Sisters, Sandy & William Campbell, Darlene & Garnet Exner, Sheila & Dennis Will and brother Perry Slobodzian & his partner Gwen; In-law’s Gerry Sinclair, Mary Sinclair & her husband, Graham; Pam Sinclair, Tim Sinclair & his wife Sherri, and Cathy Sinclair as well a many extended family members. In addition, he is survived by so many friends and fantasy friends that he included as chosen family.
There are no words to describe the size of the void his passing has left in each of our worlds. We are left with a legacy of immeasurable love from this mountain of a man.
In Lieu of flowers, friends so wishing may make memorial contributions to Melfort Minor Softball, C/O Box 3981, Melfort, SK S0E 1A0 or by etransfer to melfortminorsoftball@gmail.com