Michael John Foti

It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Michael John Foti who died on Friday, May 24, 2019 after a long courageous battle with cancer. He was predeceased by his parents Russel and Audrey Foti; his brother Len Foti; nephew Ryan Foti; brother-in-law Walter Shynkaruk; as well as sisters-in-law Anne Foti and Jeanne Hryniuk. Left to mourn his passing are his loving wife of 40 years Debra Foti; daughter Lindsay Foti (Everett); son Steven Foti (Craig); grandson Mason Chadney; his siblings Sandie (Brian) Thompson, Cathy (Gary) Lister, Bev Carnegie (Tim), Phyllis (Don) Galandie, Ray Foti (Steve), and Bill Foti; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as his amazing friends.

Mike Foti was born on October 29, 1955 in Regina, SK and was the fourth of eight children. Mike was born and raised in east end Regina, attended Glen Elm and then Haultain elementary schools where he met his second family, the Anderson’s. Further through the years Mike attended and graduated from Balfour Collegiate. Mike met his wife Debra in the small town of Wakaw, SK. Mike moved to Wakaw with his mother Audrey and her common-law partner Nick to open a butcher shop. During the set-up of the butcher shop, Mike met Debra who was working in the kitchen for the Wakaw Hotel at the time. Audrey set things in motion by introducing them and they fell in love spending time together cleaning and setting up the new butcher shop. Mike began working as a butcher’s assistant, learning the secrets of the family business. After moving to Regina, he traded in his butcher’s knife and took a position at the Pasqua Hospital in the linen room. Soon thereafter Mike and Debra were married in the Wakaw United Church on July 15, 1978. Mike later took a better paying position working security at the Hospital. Finally, Mike took a job as the shipper receiver of the hospital where he finished his 35 year career before retiring in July of 2011.

The most important job Mike had in his life was the job of being a father. He shared a generational passion for gardening and landscaping with both his kids. Mike always put his family above everything else; he was the definition of family man. Once he had a family of his own, he became heavily involved in Steven and Lindsay’s activities. From early Saturday mornings at bowling to three nights a week at Ukrainian Dance practices, Mike showed up every day proud of his children. Once the children were in school, Mike signed up to be on the Home and School Association without hesitation where he spent years volunteering for hot dog sales, car washes and everything in between. Both Steven and Lindsay started Ukrainian dancing and Mike served many terms on the board of the Regina Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and always volunteered at the Kyiv Pavilion during Mosaic. As the years progressed and Mike became retired he spent his time in the garden and with his friends and family, until a miracle came to light in May of 2016 when he became a Papa to his one and only grandson Mason Chadney. For the next three years, Mike devoted all of his time and energy to creating a unbreakable bond between him and Mason and it was very apparent the family man he grew up to be continued onto his last days. Mason was the light of his Papa’s life.

Mike had a precious soul, a heart of gold, had a gentleness and capacity for unconditional love that made you feel safe no matter what. He touched so many lives in so many ways and because of that he will be dearly missed by many. Mike lived a life full of passion and joy and to honor this the family will be holding a celebration of his life. Mike’s Celebration of Life will be held in the G. Marconi Italian Club, 2148 Connaught Street, Regina, SK on Friday, June 21, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. This celebration is open to the public and everyone who wants to come celebrate the life of this remarkable man is welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks that you donate to the Allan Blair Cancer Centre or Regina Wascana Grace Hospice. Debra, Steven and Lindsay would like to extend their most heartfelt thank you to the Allan Blair Cancer Centre and Wascana Grace Hospice, especially to the nurse Trish at Grace Hospice for the amazing care Mike received during his long battle of cancer and in his final days. Your love, support and hard work does not go unnoticed.