Obituary of Ferdinand Joseph New

Ferdinand (Fernie) New, late of Regina, died on July 13, 2023, at the Pasqua Hospital, Regina, his brief hospital stay precipitated by a broken hip. Fernie was predeceased by his wife Bernadine in 2012. He was also predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Lydia (nee Ulrich) New; his in-laws, Felix and Helen (nee Benedyk) Kuzmicz; his siblings and their spouses: Raymond, Vern (Marie), Olga, Marlene (Doug), Eleanor, Alma, Sam Allan, and Lawrence Sebastian. Fernie is survived by his sisters, Ruth Allan and Helen Sebastian; brother-in-law Ben (Geraldine) Kuzmicz; and many nieces and nephews. Fernie is also survived by his daughters, Cheryl Duke and Lori Duke (David Clow), and son-in-law of many years, Erwin Ottenbreit (David Yaranon). Fernie will be missed by his grandchildren: Rachel Malawski (Andrew), Thomas Ottenbreit (Alanna Bens), Hannah Ottenbreit (Jack Sloboda), Michael Clow, and Andrew Clow; as well as beautiful greatgrandchildren: Miles, Adele, and Annie Malawski; and Elijah, Wesley, and Grace Ottenbreit.

Fernie was born and raised on the farm at Tyvan, Saskatchewan. Along with a love for farming, he also had an appreciation for learning and knowledge. (Patrons of many cantinas at various resorts can attest to his love of trivia, and the sharing of same!) Although his high school education ended after Grade 10, he was fortunate to attend the U of S School of Agriculture for a year. After that, he returned to farming, where he excelled at his life's vocation. Fernie was an old-school farmer: buy what you can afford, fix what you can, and be your own mechanic, electrician, and carpenter.

Perhaps all this hard work prepared him for an instant family of two teenage daughters when he married our mother, Bernadine in 1974! Fernie and Bernie had a good life together, almost 40 years of marriage. They loved life on the farm, and were active in the Tyvan community. They also enjoyed frequent travel to many warm destinations in the U.S., Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. In 2001, they retired back to Regina, and continued to enjoy travel and spending time with family. After Bernie's death, Fernie resided at the Queen Victoria retirement suites for five years. For the past five years, when coping with increasing dementia became too much for independent living, Fernie lived at Spruce Lane Care Home. We aregrateful that Fernie was able to live and enjoy his years there, thanks to the warm and caring staff. We also extend thanks to the staff at the RGH, and the Palliative care staff at the Pasqua for their compassionate care.

Fernie's wishes were very specific that he did not want a funeral or a service. Respecting this was difficult for one of his daughters, who loves to organize events, and handle a microphone! We want to honour his wishes, and this lengthy obituary is our tribute to the man we were blessed with as our father. In an intimate gathering of family and friends, Fernie's ashes will be interred beside Bernie, in the Tyvan Cemetery, at a later date.