Obituary of Alex Bej

BEJ, Alex – On Friday, October 30, 2009, Alex died peacefully with his family by his side after a valiant fight with cancer at the age of 66. Beloved husband of Anna Bej for 35 years. Loving father of Maria (Donald) Fellows, Burlington, and Stephanie Bej (Michael Christian). Proud “Didi” of Olena Fellows. Beloved son-in-law of Maria and Walter Petryszyn, St. Thomas. Also survived by many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. Predeceased by his parents Roman and Julia Bej, both in 1999. Alex was born in Szczawne, Poland in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains on October 23, 1943 and immigrated to Canada in 1962. Family and friends were a great focus in Alex’s life, along with the love of nature and music. Community work was an important part of his life, with children’s needs being an integral focus of that work. From 1969-72, he attended Mohawk College in Hamilton earning a diploma in Chemical Engineering Technology. He was a longtime member of St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Point Edward Optimist Club and he supported the Kiwanis Club of Sarnia. Alex will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but memories of his laughter and gentle humour will live on. "Listen for the whispers of lingering laughter. The love we share will be forever." A special thank you for the exceptional care Alex received from the medical and nursing teams at Bluewater Health. Visitation at the McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431 Christina St. N., Sarnia, on Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. with Panakhyda at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Edward Yarema at St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1045 Rosedale Ave., Sarnia on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Interment Lakeview Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may send memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, 714 Lite St., Pt. Edward N7V 1A6 or Bluewater Health, Palliative Care, 89 Norman St., Sarnia N7T 6S3. Messages of condolence & memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com A tree will be planted in memory of Alex Bej in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 19th, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area.