It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ed (Copper) Babiarz, on Thursday April 21, 2016, at the age of 77, with his family by his side; he lost his struggle with cancer. Ed was predeceased by his parents, Mike and Marya Babiarz; two brothers, Frank Babiarz and John (Violet) Babiarz. He is survived by his wife, Marlene (Laird) Babiarz; three children, Sandra Babiarz (Allan Graveline), Shelly Babiarz (Rick Hallberg), and Michael (Lindsay) Babiarz; four grandchildren, Dustin Babiarz, Alexandria and Brittany Babiarz-Graveline, Hudson Babiarz; sister-in-law, Darlene Babiarz and his aunt, Nellie Babiarz. He also leaves to mourn many nieces, nephews and cousins. Ed was born on October 15, 1938 at Mount Saint Mary鈥檚 Hospital in Weyburn to Michael and Marya Babiarz. He lived with his parents and brothers on a farm by Nickle Lake that was owned by Dr. Eaglesham Sr. In 1944, his parents purchased land north of the airport and since he was too small for the four mile walk to the North Weyburn School, he was enrolled in the Catholic boarding school in Forget. The three years he attended there started him on his path for the 鈥渓ove鈥� of sports. When he was old enough to make the trek he was transferred to the North Weyburn School and enjoyed the everyday walk, which of course was uphill there and back, and in the winter -40 and 10 feet of snow!!! Ed attended school there until Grade 9, then, like many boys of that era, quit school to help out on the family farm. In 1956 he found his passion of working with scrap recycling from Western Wire and Cable, which was located nearby at the airport. In June 1963, he met the woman of his dreams and after a brief whirlwind romance of two months they were engaged. On November 14, 1964, he started an adventurous new life by taking Marlene Laird as his bride. In 1966 he purchased some land from his dad and began farming on his own while continuing to live on the family farm until 1973. Then they purchased a half section of land with a house and made it their permanent residence. In 1965, with the birth of their first child, Ed had a new role to learn, life as a father! He soon learned that having a full tank of gas when your wife is expecting is a very important thing. In 1969 another daughter entered his life and with this one he was able to celebrate her birth, as it was not a holiday and toasts could be had. In 1982, he was blessed with a son and was no longer surrounded by all females. Ed continued farming for a while but he found the workload of farming and running his scrap business too time consuming and decided to rent out the land and concentrate on the recycling business. This also allowed him more free time to travel, and he did love to travel. With his dealings through SaskPower he enjoyed many hours on the road picking up wire meeting and making new friends. When not on the road working, there was always a casino nearby to be visited: Carlyle, Four Bears, Regina, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and of course 鈥淰egas鈥�. He loved to travel south, not only for the gambling but that was the only place you could get a good date milkshake. His greatest joy was his four grandchildren, and his only regret in death is that he couldn鈥檛 be around to see the 5th arrive in October. We will each hold a special memory dear for 鈥淐opper,鈥� some will hold his inappropriate impolitical correctness, his obstinate stubbornness, and varied heartfelt opinions all of which many a night led to some very interesting debates and laughter. The many card games with friends that went well into the wee hours, the wiener roasts, the famous 鈥渨hisker rubs鈥� or the Copper wave. Ed was a simple man, who held his family and friends dear, and will be most remembered for his unconditional, unfaltering love for them. It wasn鈥檛 uncommon that if they needed something, he would drop everything and take care of it. This was very evident when he decided not to trust the mail for next day delivery and instead, drove the seven hours to deliver a piece of paper to his son. He was in such a rush to make sure Mike received the paper that he never told mom he was leaving, or us that he was coming!! For all of us who really knew him, you know he is cheering those Saskatchewan Roughriders from beyond!! Visitation was held on Tuesday, April 26, from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm with prayers being said at 8:00 pm at Fletcher Funeral Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, April 27, at 10:30 am from St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weyburn, with Father Gerry Bauche celebrating. Interment took place at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn. Pallbearers were Don Bourassa, Michael Bocian, Vladimir Bocian, Jeromy Charlton, Aaron Reich and Marvin Windecker. In lieu of flowers for those so wishing, donations can be made to The Weyburn & District Hospital Foundation. Condolences may be left at: www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, Saskatchewan S4H 0Y4. (306) 842-5432.
