John Henry HonatzisFebruary 7th, 1925 - March 21st, 2011John Henry Honatzis, age 86, passed away peacefully at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Humboldt, SK on Monday, March 21, 2011. He will be remembered with love by his family: Trudy Honatzis (Bill Anderson) of Brentwood Bay, BC and family, Erin (Jay) Barrett and son, Blake, and Megan Anderson (Jeff Kaufmann) and sons, Cale and Shane Kaufmann; Paulette Zacharias (Claude Kennedy) of Pender Island, BC and family, Jesse Zacharias (Jeffrey Scotney) and Jon-Paul Zacharias; Clinton (Margaret Leroux) Honatzis of Bruno, SK and family, Cara Honatzis and sons, Khyler and Kalyx, Crystal (Justin) Dauvin and sons, Ty and Kade, Vanessa (Kevin) MacDougall and children, Carlie and Dawson, Nevin (Stacey) Leroux and sons, Rylen and Trysen, and Dione (Lenny) Kohle and children, Kaden and Kamara; a sister, Margaret (Fred) Komaike of Prince Albert, SK; a brother, Henry (Jackie) Honatzis of Bruno, SK; sisters-in-law: Elsie Huhn of Fort Saskatchewan, AB and Rita Hancock of Fort St. John, BC; a brother-in-law, Werner (Betty Ann) Huhn of Redcliff, AB; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Agnes (1993); grandson, John Clinton (1970); his parents, Paul (1974) and Albertha (1963) Honatzis; sister, Marie Skihar (2004); brothers, Robert Honatzis (2011) and Willie Honatzis (1948); a brother-in-law, Earl Skihar; and a sister-in-law, Edrie Honatzis. John grew up in Bruno, attending Bruno School, but always learning from and working with his father. In 1942, he left by train to work on the building of the Alaska Highway. But John wanted to join the RCAF, as had his older brothers. He enlisted and served as an aero engine mechanic at various bases across Canada, including Coal Harbour and Comox AFB, Vancouver Island until 1945 when he returned to Bruno. In 1946, he married Agnes Huhn and together they raised their three children. Except for the winter of 1950, when he worked in Vancouver with his brother, Bob, John operated the family's autobody business, Palace Garage, in Bruno with Willie, and later, Hank, continuously until 1979 when he relocated to Humboldt. During this time he also had Minneapolis-Moline and New Holland farm implement dealerships and was widely respected for servicing what he sold. Not busy enough he and Agnes owned and operated Bruno Hardware for five years in the 1970s. John was proud to be a charter member of the Bruno Lions Club and also served several terms on Bruno Town Council. A man of many talents, John also built the house he lived in for 45 years. John semi-retired in 1985; from 1990-1995 he was an agent for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance. While he truly loved his family, cars were his passion and he continued restoring and rebuilding cars in his home shop until this past December. Dad, Grandpa, Papa John - we love you and will miss you and keep you in our hearts until we meet again. Prayer Service was held on Friday, March 25, 2011 at 7:30pm. presided by Fr. Joseph Ackerman, OSB. Others taking part were: Erin Barrett and Michelle Lepage, scripture readers; Trudy Honatzis and Bill Anderson, eulogy. The Funeral Mass was offered on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 10:00 am celebrated by Fr. Joseph Ackerman, OSB. Others taking part were: Kaden Kohle, crossbearer; Erin Barrett and Werner Huhn, scripture readers; Betty Ann Huhn, intentions; Khyler Honatzis and Kamara Kohle, gift bearers; Blake Barrett, Cale Kaufmann, Shane Kaufmann, Khyler Honatzis, Kalyx Honatzis, Ty Dauvin, Kade Dauvin, Carlie MacDougall, Dawson MacDougall, Rylen Lerous and Trysen Leroux, Kaden Kohle, Kamara Kohle, Rylen very special honorary pallbearers; Jon-Paul Zacharias, Henry Honatzis, Fred Komaike, Werner Huhn, Dale Ebner, Alois Helgert, Albert Huber, Brendan Hergott and Dave Tschetter, honorary pallbearers. Active pallbearers were: Jay Barrett, Justin Dauvin, Nevin Leroux, Neil Honatzis, Robbie Komaike and Yves Lepage. Both services were held at St. Bruno R.C. Church, Bruno, SK. Interment followed at St. Bruno R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan, the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society. SCHULER-LEFEBVRE, Humboldt, SK.
