STEPHEN (STEVE) HRAB

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

STEPHEN (STEVE) HRAB It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Stephen (Steve) Hrab. He will be sorely missed by his wife of 53 years, Marion, his son Wayne (Victoria) of California, his daughter Tracey of Winnipeg, his sister Marie Remple of Sarnia, nephew Donald Jean Remple (Leila) of Paris, cousins in Toronto, Dauphin, The Pas, New Jersey. Greatly missed by his faithful dog Traylar. Predeceased by his father and mother, John and Eva Hrab, his sister Kay, brothers-in-law, Steve and Irv and cousin John Hrab Jr. Educated in Regina, Steve began his professional career as a draftsman for General Motors. Joining the Navy in 1943, Steve was based in Halifax and was requested with his best friend Phil Reeve, for special exemption status as a draftsman to aid in anti-missile defenses. Discharged in 1945 he joined Massey Harris as an Agricultural Machine Designer. Given his ability, Steve was assigned to assist in the design of a new Combine Harvester which would be suitable for European and North African conditions and was later transferred to set up manufacturing in France. His tenure with the company saw transfers to England and promotions from assistant to the Vice President Engineering to Chief Combine Engineer (Eastern Hemisphere). He was responsible for the design and testing coordination throughout Scotland, England, Germany, France and North Africa. Married to his wife Marion (Gardner) in 1954, they returned to Canada on the Queen Mary, a trip he often reminisced about, and settled in Winnipeg in 1957. Steve assumed the position of General Manager for Versatile Manufacturing and assisted in redesigning the Swather and was involved in designing / engineering for the four-wheel tractors and the self-propelled and pull-type Combine Harvester. He left Versatile as Vice President of Engineering in 1975 to become a partner in Terra Implements, which they sold in 1980 to enjoy retirement with his family. Our Steve loved golf and spending time with his family and friends. His passions included the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the Blue Jays, playing his favourite big bands of the 1940s loudly and the family's special dog Dexter. His mechanical mind saw to it that his hands were constantly in motion, ever fixing and creating. Full of life, he was always ready with a joke, a witty remark, and an offer of opinion. Steve was a proud man - proud of his family, his friends, his independence, and his commitment to the Gateway Recreation Centre. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at Cropo Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 13. A requiem mass performed by Fr. Yarma at the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Sarnia, ON will also be conducted on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Steve may be made to a charity of one's choice. A special thank you for the care by Dr. Terry Babick, Dr. Gorski, Dr. Homik, Dr. Walter Chlysta and Steve's home care nurse, Rachelle. In addition, we'd like to thank the paramedics, fire department as well as the emergency, observation, ICU and fifth floor staff at Seven Oaks Hospital for their continuous support. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 12, 2006