Ron Galay

With great sadness we announce the passing of our Dad, Grandpa/Poppa on Friday, December 20, 2024. He will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his children Josephine (Richard), Stewart, Nicole (Cam); grandchildren, Bradley, Benjamin (Marinna), Dylan, Jade (Connor), and Blake; great-grandchildren Zayden, McKinnley, Haisley, and Axel; siblings Rose (Joe), Shirley (Ed), Lillian (Richard) and Louis (Teresa) and brother in-law Louis Wazny; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his wife Valerie, parents Joseph and Jennie, stepfather Alec, and sister Violet.

Dad was born on January 21, 1944, in Pine Falls and was raised in the Spring Well area of LDB Municipality. Mom and Dad were married April 20, 1968, and lived in Beausejour. Dad had many different jobs throughout his life. Growing up on a farm put farming in his blood and although he didn’t farm for long, his love of antique machinery, including the restoration of his father’s McCormick Deering W-30 tractor, was a life long passion. Dad worked as a mechanic, truck driver, carpenter and roofer throughout the years. Many will remember Dad as being the Zamboni man at the arena in Beausejour. The pride he took in his work was evident in the cleanliness of the building, the perfection in the sharpening of skates and in his ice being the best around. As kids, we spent numerous hours helping him clean, paint lines and fill up the Zamboni so he could sharpen that last pair of skates. He made many life long friends in the old barn.

Dad was a member of the Springfield Tractor Club for many years. He would load up the tractor on the trailer and spend many weekends at numerous heritage events, from Heritage Day in Beausejour to the Thresherman’s Reunion in Austin. Dad also became a member of the Pioneer Village Museum which led to him being Buildings and Grounds Director for many years. He was instrumental in the building of the boardwalk and the many ramps at the museum to make the buildings accessible for all. This summer we were able to take him for a visit because of that accessibility. His passion for our heritage was genuine and ran deep.

Dad’s excitement and love for his antique tractors was shared with all of us, especially his grandchildren. When they came to visit, a tractor ride was always on the agenda, whether he was living in town or the country. We often joked about his “lawn ornament” on Second Street South. 

We would like to thank all the staff at East Gate PCH for their wonderful care and compassion. 

Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, December 27, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Sobering Funeral Chapel, 1035 Park Avenue East, with interment to follow at St. Mary Roman Catholic Cemetery, Beausejour, Manitoba.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pioneer Village Museum, Box 310, Beausejour, MB R0E 0C0.

“I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith.”

II Timothy 4:7

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com