SEFERIN BRAIER

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SEFERIN BRAIER Peacefully on October 18, 2005, at Extendicare Tuxedo Villa. Seferin was predeceased by his wife Rose (nee Lehr) in April 1988, his mother Hulda in July 1976, his father Gustav in April 1976 and his sister Selma in July 1945. He is survived by his niece Dolores McRae (Dennis) of Elko, BC; and many friends, most notably Kathryn Schilke of Beaverton, OR, George and Minota Jersak of Winnipeg and Dr. Phil Yntema of Vancouver, WA. Seferin was born on December 26, 1923, in Russia. He came to Canada with his family in 1928, where they originally settled in Nokomis, SK, before moving to the Minitonas, MB, area in 1931. In his formative years, Sef was very involved in the First Baptist Church in Minitonas. After high school graduation, he attended Christian Training Institute in Edmonton (subsequently North American Baptist College, now Taylor University). He married Rose Lehr of Irvine, AB, and the subsequently returned to Minitonas. Sef and Rose moved to Winnipeg in the 1960s. From 1967 until his retirement in 1986, Sef was a driver for Winnipeg Transit. Sef had numerous interests. He loved music, particularly Choirs, Gospel and Barbershop Quartets, and was a member of the Winnipeg Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A). Sef himself sang bass in quartets, and in the 1940s one of his quartets sang regularly on a radio show. During the 1950s and 1960s, he was involved in a Hereford cattle ranch in Harperville, MB. He enjoyed travel, and spent portions of many winters in Texas. His hobbies included a particular fondness for lapidary work, and he took immense pleasure in cutting and polishing rocks. One of his favourite social activities was simply going for coffee. He was an avid collector of anything and everything (as evidenced by all the items in his residence) including coins and stamps. His memory will live on through the Braier Collection, which consists of hundreds of articles he donated to the Swan Valley Historical Museum in Swan River between 1978 and 1980. Thanks is extended to all those involved in providing care to Sef over the past several months including Dr. Richard Blouw, Dr. Morris E. Burke, Deb Corner (Director of Care) and all her wonderful staff at Extendicare Tuxedo Villa. Special thanks to Brenda Duncan and Gil for being present at the time of Sef's passing. Thanks also to Rev. David Cornish, Carl Eisbrenner, Jr. and Ron LaChance for their many visits. Particular gratitude and appreciation is extended to loyal and supportive friend, George Jersak, for his daily visits and his constant loving and compassionate attention to Sef's needs. Thanks also to Sara Paquin for making all the necessary telephone calls over the past few days. Funeral service will be held at Knysh Funeral Chapel, 1020 Main St., on Saturday, October 22 at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. David Cornish and Dr. Phil Yntema officiating. Visitation will occur prior to the service commencing at 10:30 a.m., with interment following the service at Thomson in the Park, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. Pallbearers will be Carl Eisbrenner, Jr., Ron LaChance, George Jersak, Harry McKnight, Norman Piel and Walter Redlick, with honorary pallbearers being Neil Matthies and Dennis McRae. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, NIV) Arrangements are entrusted to KNYSH FUNERAL CHAPEL, 582-0973.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 21, 2005