Nestor Shabits obituary from Saskatoon Star Phoenix

Nestor Shabits 1935- 2009. It is with sadness that the family announces that the death of Nestor Shabits occurred at St. Paul's Hospital on Sunday, October 18th 2009 at the age of 74 years. Nestor is survived by his loving wife, Eva (nee Armistead); daughters, Shari (David Priest) and Marie (George Hutchinson), both of Vernon BC; sister, Elizabeth Kendrick of Victoria BC; aunt, Mary Farion; sister-in-law, Janet (Ken) Armistead of Winnipeg; brotherin-law, Frank Armistead of Regina; and sister-in-law, Janet Kostyna of Gravelbourg; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Katherine (1976) and Paul (1974); sister, Eugenia Makahoniuk and her husband, Bill; brother, Adam; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lucy and Cecil Armistead; and brothers-in-law, Graham Kendrick and Ken Armistead. Nestor was born on May 4th, 1935 near Verigin SK. The family moved to Benito when he was 5 years old where he attended school and worked on the farm as he grew up. He obtained his B.Sc. and B.Ed. degrees at Brandon College and while there enrolled in the Canadian Officers Training Corps. After graduation he started his teaching career in Durban Manitoba and later Waskada. He and Eva were married on July 7th 1962 in Swan River and they relocated to Brandon in 1966 where Nestor would teach high school classes for the next 22 years. In 1987 he attended Assiniboine Community College and received his Computer Technology Certificate following which he and Eva relocated to Saskatoon where Nestor continued his teaching career at Compucollege as well as Northlands College in Buffalo Narrows and LaLoche before retiring from CDI in Saskatoon. Nestor was a valued member of St. John's Anglican Church and was active in the men's club, Bridge Club, Supper Club, and mentoring of refugees. He was a driving force in the Coronary Artery Rehabilitation Group (CARG) holding many executive positions and editing the newsletter. He was on the Board of the Saskatoon Convalescent Home and a member of the Woodworker's Guild. Nestor was always busy and had a number of favorite pastimes and hobbies including wood working, gardening, photography, computer programming, walking and the outdoors as well as camping and campfire cooking and making cheese cake. Nestor particularly cherished the times he had with family and friends. Long weekends and summer holidays were spent traveling to and visiting with family both immediate and extended. Nestor had a lifelong dedication of giving back to his community and was always willing to help out wherever he saw a need. He was a kind, gentle and generous man with a dry sense of humor who will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by his family and many friends. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to CARG (Coronary Artery Rehabilitation Group 2020 College Dr. Saskatoon, SK S7N 2W4), the Prostrate Cancer Research Foundation (#306 145 Front St. E. Toronto ON M5A 1E3) or a charity of choice. Funeral Services will take place on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. John's Anglican Cathedral with inturnment to follow in the Columbarium prior to a reception in the Church Hall. The family invites members of CARG to wear their shirts in remembrance of Nestor. Condolences may be sent to mail@saskatoonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to SASKATOON FUNERAL HOME. View and sign the guestbook