Roy (Ratislav) Baleja

April 23, 1930 – October 19, 2010

It is with great sadness that the family announces that Roy passed away at Boundary Trails Hospital in Winkler on October 19, 2010 after complications from a stroke.  Roy leaves a legacy of love and memories that his family and friends will cherish in their hearts forever.  We will miss him.

Roy was born in Czechoslovakia and came to Canada with his family as a teenager.  The family eventually settled in the Sperling community where they have lived for over 60 years.  He is the third oldest of four children. Roy was a passionate farmer and had a true love of the land.  He maintained a close relationship with his brothers and they all shared the passion that is farming. Roy married his wife, Vera, in 1956 and together they raised their four children in the community.  Roy was a quiet man who loved the weather network, grain prices, growing vegetables and of course his animals.

Roy is deeply missed by his family, his son David (Deborah and grandchildren Tamera, Chantalle & Brittany), daughter-in-law Maureen (grandchildren Ryan & Rachelle, Greg & Krista and great grandchildren Jadzia & Koben), his son James and daughter Teresa (Adrian and grandchildren David & Michael). Roy lost his son Ronald to cancer in December 2008 and Vera, his wife of 53 years, to cancer in October 2009.

We thank family and friends for their love, kindness, prayers and support during Roy's illness.  Thank you to everyone in the BTCH Rehabilitation Team and the Intensive Care Unit for the extraordinary effort and encouragement as they cared for Roy and our family during the last weeks of his life.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to BTHC Foundation – Rehabilitation Unit.  P.O. Box 2000, Station Main, Winkler MB R6W 1H8.