Gerald Michael Halabuza

December 26th, 2018

Gerry passed away peacefully on Boxing Day after a fight with cancer.  He loved sports, family, friends and sports.  He even loved some of his students (you know who you are).  He retired from teaching in Punnichy but remained extremely active in curling and golf.  Everyone will remember being greeted by his irresistible warm smile and cheeky remarks. A gathering will be held at a later date. Please give to the charity of your choice.

Messages:

So sorry to hear that Mr. Halabuza passed away. Like all of his other students, we appreciated being happily greeted by him, many years after we moved away from Punnichy. He was always sincerely interested in what we were up to and how we doing. Condolences to Joanne. He will be missed.

My condolences to Joanne and family. I got to know him while spending time at the golf course o men's nite. Such a great guy.

To a colleague and friend, You will always be present in my mind as I recall your sense of humor and the way you had to liven up the conversation in the staffroom! My sympathies to the family.

My condolences to Gerry’s family. Joanne he will be missed. Always had time for a friendly conversation a smile or a wave.

My deepest condolences, Joanne. Gerry was a great friend and I will miss him a lot.

We were in grade twelve when Gerry came to PHS. He was not much older than his students and soon made us his friends. Many years followed with curling, bake sales (where Gerry was first in line for that banana cream pie) hockey and community gatherings where he and Joanne would always help out. Our hugs and condolences to Joanne and the families.

Rest well Mr Halabuza you taught us well....and always did not like us to smoke telling us you would like to burn them at both ends lol ..Good bye 1 day we will see you :)

I was shocked to learn of his passing. I remember Mr Halabuza as a wonderful, kind and patient teacher throughout my high school years at Punnichy. He was always good with the students. My condolences to Ms Grayson and family.

A great guy, a fellow left-hander, and one of the most genuine and generous men I’ve ever met. The smile, the laugh, and the jokes you just had to laugh at (even if they were at your expense). My condolences to Joanne, and Gerry’s family.

My first teaching position was a 3 month temp position in Punnichy. Gerry was so welcoming, approachable, and easy-going - qualities very much appreciated by a wide-eyed youngster. My condolences to Ms. Grayson and Gerry's family.

Rest In Peace Gerry-no more suffering

We always managed to get Gerry off topic in class. We thought we were so clever being able to get him off topic. Instead, we had great discussions, debates and learned about so much. We were learning incidentally and in a fun, interesting way. I guess he was the clever one! Great teacher, friend and human being. Sorry for your loss Joanne..,

Thank you Gerry for your fun living approach to teaching during my high school yrs at Punnichy. You never took yourself or life too seriously. Loved your patience and kindness and the twinkle in your when you thought you outwitted someone or were making a joke. Condolences to your family. Rest In Peace Mr. Halabuza

My condolences to all who grieve and loved Mr Halabuza, One of my favorite teachers, many happy memories being a student in his class, always had a good story for us kids! Rest easy, now...prayers for your loved ones.

Brian curled many a game against Gerry and his fearsome Punnichy team. He loved the sport and was a good sport. He will be missed at the Raymore curling rink for sure. RIP Gerry Our condolences To his family

My sincere condolences to Mrs.Grayson and family. Mr.Halabuza was a great teacher.

Sad to hear of Mr. Halabuza's passing be was a good man was a great teacher, good curler. Rip Halabuza... Condolences to Ms. Grayson and family

"Oh Hala, why do I have to learn about steppe farming?" I think I drove him crazy as a student, but like others have commented, I knew that he cared about us. As I became an educator myself, I enjoyed seeing him and Mrs. Grayson to talk about kids today:) I am glad his suffering is done. I am so sorry for your loss, Mrs.Grayson. Thinking of my favorite prairie place a lot this week. Brigitte

Mr. H. A great teacher, coach, neighbor, athlete, bus driver and freind. You had a way to make “all” your students feel that we were your favourite!! Even the kids of your students adored you. Rest In Peace and condolences to Joanne. ❤️❤️❤️

We are so sad to hear of his passing. Please know our thoughts are with you. He will be missed both on the ice and off! We will see you when we get home. For now hugs and sending you strength.

Mr Halabuza was my absolute favourite teacher for 3 years. Every time I was in Punnichy I saw him. When I worked at the Southey Homestead him & Miss Grayson would stop sometimes to get an order of Dry ribs. RIP Mr Halabuza u will b missed. Condolences to Miss Grayson & family.

RIP Mr. Halabuza , you were a fantastic teacher who always made learning fun . I will miss seeing you at the golf course in the summer time . Thank you for everything that you did for our community of Punnichy . People like you are hard to find who give so much to others . My Condolences to Joanne and both of your families .

Gerry was a great teacher and a great friend of our family and co-worker of my dad'a. He was a treat to talk sports with and when he started laughing after being cheeky it was a laughter that filled the room. My condolences from myself and the Baan family Ms. Grayson.

I was shocked to hear the sad news about Gerry. My most sincere condolences, Joanne, my thoughts are with you. Rest In Peace, Gerry, the memory of you and your kindness and laughter will live on in the hearts and minds of those of us who were fortunate enough to know you.

My sincere condolences to Ms. Grayson. Thank you Gerry and Ms. Grayson for helping shape my daughter's future. You both were amazing teachers and she very much was fond of you both. Ms. Grayson, keeping you in my prayers.

Mr Halabuza was one of many great teachers we had in Punnichy. He made a huge impact on so many of his students and made learning fun because he enjoyed teaching. Condolences

Mr. H was such a great teacher and loved helping all of us students any way he could. I can't recall him ever getting mad at us, although we undoubtedly deserved his wrath occasionally. If I close my eyes, I can hear his giggle and envision his warm smile. Punnichy was a richer place because of this kind man. Joanne, it was wonderful to see you and Gerry last year. My sincere condolences to you.

Gerry was such a nice guy. I wished i could have got to know him better. He did so much for his community, especially the golf course. My deepest sympathies to you Joanne and your families. Rest In Peace Gerry and may you now golf and curl as much as you want.

Mr Halabuza was such a wonderful fantastic teacher ! He was always one of my favourites ! I have many fond memories of my time in his classes at Punnichy High ! My deepest condolences to his family & relatives ! May you rest at peace ! Heaven is a better place now for receiving you, Mr Halabuza ! Thank you for everything you did for each one of us over the years !

Gerry was a wonderful teacher patience of a saint he knew how to explain something till you understood. I also remember him at the curling rink all the time Deepest sympathies to Ms. Grayson and the family

Great teacher! Was so easy to talk with and postpone exams! Many happy highschool memories Thoughts and prayers for the family

Mr halabuza was a great teacher my condolences to you Ms Grayson

Mr. Halabuza was pretty fun to be around and our class would always test his patience!!! I used to love the spirited debates we would have on many topics! I would always lose of course!!!! Condolences to all.

You did so much for so many in the simplest and magnificent ways. You guided me since the moment we met in Gr 7 - and even before because you were a teacher and beloved human to my mother & older sister when they were in school. I wish I told you this before. Rest In Peace ole guy :) hugs to your beautiful Joanne G

I'll never forget Mr. Halabuza's love of Dr. Pepper, along with Butter Tarts! He was a wonderful teacher with the patience of a saint. My condolences to Ms. Grayson and Gerry's family. ❤

I will always remember Halabuza’s great smile and his tireless volunteering as a coach. We spent many hours in the curling rink and travelling to bonspiels. He is a part of some of my favourite memories in high school.

Mr. Halabuza was a great teacher and always made everyone laugh. My condolences Ms. Grayson and everyone else connected with him.

Mr. Halabuza was a great Teacher and an even greater friend. I will miss our many visits when he would stop in at the Village/RM office on his way to his beloved golf course. He had a wonderful sense of humour and we had lots of laughs.

Smiling, laughter and cheeky remarks, that's how I will remember him. Curling was one of his games and one I enjoyed taking part with him in Senior Bonspiels. I will miss delivering butter tarts on Christmas Eve to you Gerry. Rest in Peace my friend.

One of my most favourite teachers.. I became a teacher because of you.. condolences to the family.. he was definitely a great man.. travel well Mr. H

Mr Halabuza was a great teacher. He taught me how to curl, but my team finished dead last in the high school bonspiel. He always had words of encouragement for his students.

Gerry was a great guy. He loved being at the curling rink even more so if there was pie! I will miss spending time curling with him. Our sympathy to his family

My sincere Condolences, Ms. Grayson! Mr. Halabuza was my favourite teachers! I still have lots of fond memories of high school and he’s always part of them. Living in Ontario when I’ve driven back to Saskatchewan and always think of him because I distinctly remember learning about the Canadian Shield in his class. Again, my sympathies for your loss. Eva

Gerry was such a wonderful guy . I have fond memories of him as a teacher . He taught me how to curl. He will be truly missed in our community. Deepest sympathy to his family.

prayers and blessings to the family, Jerry was a great man

you were a tower of strenth right to the end, rest in peace dear friend.

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