With sadness, the family of Tyson Bassman announce his sudden passing, following a lifelong battle with diabetes, on Friday, March 6, 2015 at the Regina General Hospital, Regina, SK. He was 21 years of age. Tyson was born on September 29, 1993 in Regina, SK. The family moved to Yorkton in 2001 and he attended St. Michael's and Columbia Elementary Schools. He attended the Yorkton Regional High School, completing his Grade 11. His favourite subjects were auto body and art. In high school and after completing his education, Tyson worked at a variety of jobs including Zellers, Wal-Mart and Burger King. However, the two jobs that he most enjoyed were as a prep cook and cook at Joe Beeverz and at Value Village. He knew that the profits from Value Village went to the Canadian Diabetes Association and Tyson felt that by working there he was taking a stand against the disease. Tyson loved music, listening to techno, electronic music and would have loved very much to be able to make his own music. An excellent cook, he often had friends or family over to share a meal. He enjoyed drawing in his spare time, but truly loved skateboarding and spending time at the skateboard park. At the age of seven, Tyson was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes - he was first tested by his Uncle Ralph, who was also a diabetic. Uncle Ralph became Tyson's role model for dealing with his disease. It was a constant battle for him throughout his life and he wanted most to go on with his life as a "normal" person. In the summer of 2014, Tyson moved to Regina to take dialysis treatments. Although he was a very ill young man, he continued to set goals for himself, was saving to buy a car and was looking forward to being able to take home dialysis treatments so he could get back to work. Tyson was the kind of person who put the needs of others before his own and never wanted to worry anyone by letting them know how sick he really was. On March 6, 2015, Tyson lost his battle with diabetes. To carry on his legacy of giving to others, his family made the difficult decision to donate his organs. There is some comfort in the knowledge that he will give the gift of life, the gift of time to someone else's family. Tyson was a funny, loving, caring son, brother, nephew, uncle and grandson. He was full of life and always found a way to laugh and make other people laugh. He will be loved always and remembered forever by all those whose lives he touched. Tyson was predeceased by his grandparents and his great-uncle, Ralph Bassman. He leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memory, his mother, Roxanne (Robert Dupré); his father, Don Lesanko; his siblings, John Bassman, Kayla Lesanko and Ashley Lesanko; his uncles, Roy (Barb) and Terry; his aunts, Bonnie (Neil), Marcy, Lizzie, Cheryl, Anna and Tanya; his great-grandmother, Irene Szponski as well as many cousins and good friends. The Funeral Service took place at St. Andrew's United Church in Yorkton, SK on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Jen Dresser officiating. Special taped musical selections were shared; "Ten Feet Tall" by Afrojack, "Angels" by Sarah McLachlan and "Keep Our Love Alive" by Afrojack. Kweznelle Sanders Fehr gave tribute to Tyson in eulogy and Daniel Wayman, Brett Wilson, Quinn Kowalchuk, Shawn Alexander, Chris McCannell, Kayla Lesanko and John Bassman served as the Pall bearers. A private family cremation committal will take place at a later date. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, SK.
