Obituary of Eugene TROJAN

October 14, 1937 – Biggar, SK

September 11, 2014 – Calgary, AB

It is with great sadness that the family of Eugene Trojan announces his passing on Thursday, September 11, 2014, at the age of 76 years.

Gene was born on October 14, 1937, in Biggar, Saskatchewan to parents Arthur and Nettie Trojan who immigrated to Canada from Ukraine with Gene’s oldest brother George in 1930. The Trojan family grew from there on a farm in Cando, Saskatchewan. First, sister Vera was born, then brother Mike, Eugene was the youngest brother, followed by sisters Irene, Violet and Audrey. Family connections were made with the only other relatives who immigrated to Canada from Ukraine. These were Eugene’s cousins (Arthur’s niece Anna (husband John) and who’s children, Boris, Rose and Dimitri became as close to Gene as his own brothers and sisters. Eugene saw many changes in his lifetime. He started his young life on the farm, without electricity for much of his childhood, and travelled by horse to Bowmore School near the farm, then Cando Composite until he left to pursue work in Biggar, Saskatchewan. Gene lived and worked in a variety of places in his early years including Biggar, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Vancouver, and then finally settled in Calgary in the mid-1970s.

In business, Gene established Trojan Heating Services in Calgary and retired after 35+ years in the sheet metal industry. A self-proclaimed tradesman of all sorts, Gene felt he could fix anything and did so in his own way, no manuals needed. Gene was an active social club member of the Associated Canadian Travellers (now UCT) for many years and even served as president for the club at one time. He married Joyce in October of 1979 and daughter Shannon was born the following year. Joyce introduced Gene to travelling abroad. They visited Hawaii, where on his birthday in 1982, Gene caught his 150 Ib Pacific Blue Marlin. For those who knew Gene, they also knew the Marlin, proudly displayed in his living room. Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and all over the Western United States were other locations Gene visited in his lifetime. Although Gene enjoyed travelling and had established himself in Calgary, he always felt at home maintaining ties to his Saskatchewan roots. With family in tow, Gene made the long annual drives out to Saskatoon, Biggar, and The Battlefords to visit his brother, sister, cousins and dearest friends Peter Flaman, Sheila and Clarence Proctor. Gene always wore his ‘green’ in support of the Roughriders whenever they played Calgary.

Gene loved the outdoors and especially camping and fishing. He enjoyed spending summers at Keeley and Waterhen Lakes with the Proctor family and even made it out to the Bobesko cabin in Thompson, Manitoba. Gene had spent many years camping with his family on the weekends near Sundre, AB. Gene and Joyce moved out to the “Cabin” in Hidden Valley Golf Resort near Cluny, AB for the summers in 2004 and spent their winters in sunny Mexico.

Gene spent nearly 15 winters enjoying the company of many friends in Melaque, Mexico. His home away from home was the Legazpi Hotel after making the trek from Puerto Vallarta. Some favourite times included relaxing by the pool with a cerveza, “happy hour” parties with friends, enjoying live music at Cadillac Ranch, as well as floating in the ocean and enjoying drinks at Tenacatita beach. Over the last few years of his life, Gene was always excited to get his fishing boat out on the water, even if the fish weren’t biting. One of his goals was to be able to go fishing with his grandsons who were his ultimate pride and joy, and was able to do so at McLean Pond this past summer.

Gene is survived by his wife Joyce; his daughter Shannon (Curtis); grandsons, Kieran and Luke; his brothers George and Mike; sisters Irene (Len), Violet (Jim) and Audrey (Les); Daughter Lenna’s family and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Gene was predeceased by his parents Arthur and Nettie; sister Vera; sister-in-law Shirley; daughter Lenna; and his cousins Anna, Ria and Boris.

Gene’s family wishes to thank the Intensive Palliative Care Unit, 47 staff at the Foothills Medical Centre for their exceptional care and wonderful support during Gene’s last 11 courageous days in the hospital where he lost his 2+ year battle with bladder cancer.

At Gene’s request, no formal funeral will be held. Instead, all who knew him are welcome to attend a Memorial Services to Celebrate Gene’s life held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Eastside, 5388 Memorial Drive N.E.) on Thursday, September 18, 2014, commencing at 2:30 p.m. A Celebration of Life reception will be held for friends and family following the Memorial Service. If family or friends wish to share a favourite photo or memento of Gene, those items would be welcome if brought to the reception for the display.

In living memory of Gene Trojan, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES.

In lieu of flowers, if so desired donations can be made to a charity of choice. Alternatively, Gene’s family has suggested the Canadian Red Cross- Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP). This is a local non-profit charity based on equipment and monetary donations that was an incredible help for our family and others. Because it is a small local division of the Red Cross, they do not have an established website for direct donations. Monetary or Equipment donations can be arranged by calling 403-273-4426, choose option 3 to speak to a volunteer or in-person/by mail at Unit 7, 3140 14th Ave N.E. T2A 6J4. For more information on the program visit or and search the Health Equipment Loan Program.