DAVID (DAVE) ANTONY

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DAVID (DAVE) ANTONY

1931 - 2026

It is with great sadness the family of David (Dave) Antony (1931-2026), a farmer and lifelong resident of MacNutt, SK and West St. Paul, MB, announce his passing the morning of Friday, March 27, 2026, at the age of 94, while enjoying the comfort of his morning coffee.

Dave (Dad, Gido) was born to homesteading parents, Vera and George Antony, on December 25, 1931 - a Christmas baby. He was the fourth of seven boys, born on section 36 near Calder, SK. His three brothers and two sisters died in infancy. He was especially close to his brothers, Steve and Tom, who were his constant companions through all the joys and challenges working on a prairie farm in the middle decades of the last century. In his younger days, he sentimentalized his position as pitcher on the local baseball team and would narrate tales of how strong his arm was, and the nostalgias made with his teammates. Equally, he was a fierce hockey player, savouring hours upon hours at the local rink. Dave’s love for banter and rebellion was well known amongst his family and friends - always ending in a smile and laughter.

He worked hard to play hard, enjoying local dances and baseball tournaments, defining himself as a farmer.

Dave met his sweetheart, Irene, at his brother Mike’s wedding; Dave was a groomsman for Mike, and Irene a bridesmaid for Stella. To say he fell hard is an understatement; Irene had a keen eye for fashion and Dave’s observance quickly noticed Irene’s beauty and elegance. Irene and Dave married on July 12, 1957. Irene desired to stay in Winnipeg while Dave wanted to experience different careers during vocations at CN Rail and Campbell’s Soup. Dave’s father, George, strongly encouraged Dave’s return to the family farm. Dad’s love for family and his farming roots brought the family to eastern Saskatchewan, where he set up their homestead two miles east of MacNutt. His wife Irene came back to the farm against her will. Dave bribed his wife Irene, showing his love by building her a new home, which convinced her to come to MacNutt with the family. Dave and Irene raised four beautiful children, one daughter and three sons. It was a great source of satisfaction and enduring happiness for Dave and Irene living on the farm with many of Dave’s brothers, and his mother living just down the road.

Dave’s life revolved around his family, his life as a father and grandfather. He was conscientious in his unconditional support for his children and grandchildren - offering a helping hand, a supportive phone call, or a protective hug. He loved recalling how he would join Irene for lunch, taking a break from the tractor, and rave about her tasty soups and homemade varenyky. A nap would always accompany lunch, but he had to be watchful of his oiled clothes and Irene’s new carpet. Playing cards around the family table while enjoying a cup of coffee or a “Dai Boje” was a family ritual - specifically crib and holly. Some may say the crib board earned more miles than the jet-setting ways Dave endured during his retirement years. He was proud of his travels in his later years, with Queen Charlotte Islands, Hawaii, Alaska, and Fenway Park being high points. He was proud of his boys and the company they grew in Winnipeg (Winnipeg Environmental Remediations Inc.) – honouring them by updating his brothers on the "next work project.” His girls were visited regularly after their move to Alberta in the early 1990s, until his early 90s. Soon after, Dave moved from the farm to assist with the family company in the daily operations - he was extremely proud of his family.

Dave was an active member of the community - participating on the local recreation board, the MacNutt rink, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 4H Youth Club, and Manco Creameries. Saturday nights were family nights with Dave being the local barber (for nephews and brothers) and bartender (“Dai Boje”), and sometimes Irene could talk him into making coffee for Saturday night card parties. Dave worked hard at mixed farming, raising all kinds of animals, milking cows, and growing grain. He read the Western Producer all his life on the farm and in the city to keep up with the changes in agriculture. At anywhere and anytime, Dave would sniff out the local farmers and engage in lengthy dialogue about farming.

David is survived by his children, Dennis (Carol Georgette Antony), Carol, Bradley, and Myles Antony; his grandchildren, Amy Antony (Kyle Carmichael), Sydney Sass (Joseph Sass), and Jeremy Settee; his great-grandchildren, Aiden and Charlotte Carmichael, and Maverick Settee; brothers, Tom and Harry Antony; his sisters-in-law, Elizabeth (Liz), Marilyn, Evelyn, and Marge Antony, Stella, Ellen, and Sharon Sych, and Anastasia (Nellie) Yereniuk; his brothers-in-law, Don and Russell Sych, Taras Monastyrski, Clairie Zawatsky, and Roman Yereniuk; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Irene; his mom Vera Antony (nee Flundra); father, George Antony; mother-in-law and father-in-law Anne Sych (nee Pasieka) and Wasyl Sych; daughter-in-law, Judy Antony; brothers, Andrew, Nick, Mike, and Steve Antony; brothers-in-law, Mike, Orest, and Peter Sych; sisters-in-law, Lena and Stella Antony, Sylvia Sas, Olga (Ollie) and Monica Sych, and Cathy Zawatsky; and special friends, Liubov Perets and Olha Kovalyk.

His children, grandchildren, and family already miss him but know he is no longer suffering. You are already so greatly missed. Rest peacefully. Good night, sweet Dave.

You are welcome to make a donation in Dave’s name to the local Heart and Stroke Foundation. The family kindly requests donations in lieu of flowers.

Prayers will be held at Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main Street, West St. Paul, Thursday evening, April 2, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Glen Eden on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Glen Eden Funeral Home

204-338-7111

Tributes: www.glenedenmemorial.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 31, 2026