Obituary of Gabriel Albert Benko

It is with great sadness that the family of Gabriel Albert Benko announces his passing on Friday, August 28, 2020 at the age of 86. 

Gabe was born in Punnichy, SK to Elizabeth (Horvath) and Mike Benko. On May 10, 1958, he married Shirley Joyce Luthi and they raised five beautiful children together. 

Gabe was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his five children, Brian (Kathy) Benko, Wanda (George) Szeles, Susie (Clayton) Boake, Loretta (George) Melanson and Blaine Benko; grandchildren, Mandy Halldorson, Travis (Sara) Halldorson, Chad (Claire) Benko, Jaime (Jeremy) Marcotte, Meghan (Chris) McLaughlin, Robert (Megan) Melanson, Michael (Kate Dessert) Szeles, Jennifer Szeles, Alex Letzing and Donny Boake; along with 9 great grandchildren and his siblings, Agnes Hall, Frank Benko, Helen Osborne, Irene (Vern) Merk, Gordon (Sharon) Benko; sisters-in-law Pauline Benko and Maureen Benko. He is predeceased by his loving wife Shirley; parents Elizabeth and Mike Benko; brothers Max and Julius; sister Margaret and brothers-in-law Greg Hall and Gil Osborne.  

Gabe loved to talk about his early years as a catskinner, pushing bush and building roads.  In 1960 Gabe and Shirley started the family farm Northwest of Lestock, where they farmed from 1960 to 2013. In 2013 they retired to Kelliher, SK where Gabe became passionate about golfing, hunting and helping Shirley tend to the garden and his grass. He always loved to talk about farming, cattle, horses and the weather.
 

Those that knew Gabe, know he enjoyed a beer so let’s remember him with his favorite cheer “Here’s to us special people, not too many of us left”!

The family will hold a graveside memorial for Gabe and Shirley at 1:00 on Friday, September 4, 2020 at the Punnichy Community Cemetery.