Obituary of Dennis Michael Iwasiuk

 

May 8, 1953 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

June 22, 2023 - Okotoks, Alberta

 

Dennis Iwasiuk, beloved husband of Beverly McIver (nee Chalmers), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at the age of 70 years at Foothills Country Hospice. His son Jace and wife Bev were by his side, after his short battle with cancer.

 

Dennis was born in Saskatoon, SK in 1953. He lived with his parents on their Cudworth farm and attended elementary and high school in Cudworth, SK, where he played football (offensive lineman); hockey (Lt. or Rt. defense); and baseball (pitcher) from grades 9-12. As well he worked with his uncle Fred in carpentry; a gas station attendant and construction at CFS Dana. After graduating, Dennis moved to Saskatoon, working construction on the Star Phoenix building and on a custom farm. He then moved to Trail, BC to work at the Cominco Smelter, Firestone Tire, and Loomis who later transferred him to Cranbrook, BC. In 1985, he moved to Bassano, AB where he worked as a heavy-duty equipment operator for Eastern Irrigation for five years. He was injured at work and while on WCB, attended college in Medicine Hat, AB for two years achieving his Power Engineering in 1992. Dennis worked as a plant shift operator for Canadian Fertilizers, drove an ambulance, worked in HVAC, and a waste company before moving to Nanton and High River AB, taking a position as Capital Projects Supervisor with Cargill from 1999-2013.

 

In 2008, he met Bev. They both loved to travel, golf, and drive their fast cars. His, a 1976 Corvette, and hers a 2008 Mustang convertible. After living in Calgary, AB until 2011, they moved to High River, AB where he continued his employment with Cargill until Dennis took a position as VP of Operations with High Velocity Equipment Training for two and a half years in Camrose, AB and Lake Land, BC. In 2015, they moved back to Calgary and Dennis started as Building Operations Manager plus Health and Safety Manager for Pinebrook Golf and Country Club for seven and a half years until his passing. He always said,

 

“This has been my favorite job.”

 

Dennis was an extremely talented and hard worker. Many came to him for advice whether it was, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, auto mechanics, or heavy equipment; he could do it all. Dennis was a certified National Construction Safety Officer for many years, as well as a certified ACSA Peer Auditor, a W.H.M.I.S, and TDG trainer.

 

Dennis had a great passion for old cars, owned many throughout his life, and enjoyed going to antique car shows and watching and attending the Barrett-Jackson Auction. He was a huge NFL fan (Kansas City Chiefs / Patrick Mahomes his favorite) and enjoyed every game on his 80” TV.

 

Dennis and Bev enjoyed vacationing and golfing in Cuba, the Dominican, Mexico, Antigua, and throughout the USA and Canada. At Bev’s family reunions, you could always find Dennis quietly helping with anything that needed doing, right up to the final cleanup. Dennis was a very generous, thoughtful, and kind man.

 

After fourteen years of enjoying their life together as a common-law couple, Dennis and Bev were married on May 2, 2023.

 

Dennis’s wishes for organ donation could not be met due to his illness; however, he graciously donated his eyes to the eye bank.

 

Dennis is survived by his wife Bev McIver, son Jace Iwasiuk of Medicine Hat, stepdaughter TR Neustaeter of Calgary, stepson Cole McIver (Robyn Miller) of Calgary, grandchildren, Shakira Moran, Tatum Iwasiuk, and Cambria Iwasiuk of Medicine Hat, and Quinn Neustaeter and Zander Neustaeter of Calgary; sisters, Annette Menzies, and Valerie Slind (Ron) of Saskatoon; brothers-in-law, Lennard Chalmers (Mikiye) of Mission, BC, S. Ken Chalmers (Marian) of Sylvan Lake, Steve Chalmers (Michelle) of Fairview, Marshall Chalmers (Debbie) of Chestermere, Dave Chalmers (Teresa) of Red Deer, Jim Chalmers (Tanis) of Trail, and Greg Chalmers (Yvonne) of Natick, MA; as well as, many wonderful nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

 

Dennis was predeceased by his son Tennyson James Iwasiuk, parents, Mike and Mary Iwasiuk; parents-in-law, Rod and Opal Chalmers; brother-in-law Bill Menzies, grandparents, Dmytro and Annie Chilliak, and John and Nettie Iwasiuk.

 

We would like to thank Dr. Jeeva (High River), Dr. Sia, and Dr. Navani and their oncology team, the medical staff at Foothills Medical Centre, the medical staff and Palliative Care team at Tom Baker Cancer Centre (Unit 47) and a special thank you and appreciation to Foothills Country Hospice for their wonderful and compassionate care during Dennis’s time there. Thank you to McInnis & Holloway for their service of cremation.

 

Bev and family are truly grateful for the support and caring shown through this difficult time from friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Thank you for the cards, phone calls, texts, visits, and flowers.  A special thank you to Pinebrook Golf and Country Club for their generosity.

 

A Celebration of Dennis’s Life will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, Time: TBA at Pinebrook Golf and Country Club (166 Pinebrook Way, Calgary, AB).

 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Foothills Country Hospice Society, P.O. Box 274, Okotoks, AB, T1S 1S1, Telephone: (403) 995-4673, www.countryhospice.org or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca. 

 

Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

 

In living memory of Dennis Iwasiuk, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.