Gerald Paproski

 April 8, 1938 - October 7, 2025

Gerald was a good man that loved his family, all of God's creation, and appreciated the beauty of nature in every season.

He wanted to spend as much time as possible with his children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They were his heart and soul. 

Gerald Lyle Paproski of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan died at the age of 87, surrounded by family, in the Palliative Care Unit at St. Paul's Hospital, after declining health on Tuesday October 7, 2025.

Gerald was born at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Humboldt, Saskatchewan on April 8, 1938, the 5th child born to parents Michael James Paproski and Margaret Mary nee Hucalak. His father Michael James passed away while Gerald was young. His stepfather Mike Senko became a very important father figure in Gerald's life. He deeply loved his siblings Mary, Bernice, Leonard, and Vivian and their families.

Gerald grew up on the family farm in the Attica area near Burr and Lanigan. Gerald went to a rural one room schoolhouse, Elmsville School and later for high school to St. Peter's College in Muenster, Saskatchewan where he graduated in 1955. He studied at University of Saskatchewan where his goal was to obtain a degree in Engineering.

Gerald was musically talented and self-taught in trumpet, piano, violin, guitar, and mandolin, He played in a few bands; The Rhythm Rocks, and Kampus Kings. He loved to dance too. He also enjoyed sports especially curling, hockey and baseball. Gerald had a strong work ethic his entire life and could fix almost anything.

Gerald held many notable jobs including at Guernsey Potash Mine, building of the Diefenbaker Dam, and working for almost 3 decades at Labatt's brewery. He had a donut shop business called Hole In One as well. He went to Vietnam for a couple years with his wife Joan in which he helped construct and open a brewery named Vinagan in Na Trang. They returned to Shields where he oversaw village maintenance, was a Returning Officer for municipal, provincial, and federal elections, and was a Village of Shields - Town Councillor for a time.

Gerald had 6 children: James (Frederica), Michelle (Dwight), Brennen (Charlene), Jason, Derek (Tracy), Monique (Rob), 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, Travis (Renae) Tatum, Evander, Alisha, Jeanine (Jared) Jack, Josh (Jenna), Thomas (Robyn), Emma, Danika (Matt) Lucas, Christine (Tony) Lux, Sawyer, Madison (Austin) Blaire, Zac and Miya.

He also cared deeply for his stepchildren and their families.

He was predeceased by his loving wife Joan.

Gerald Lyle Paproski's Celebration of Life will be held in the lower Chapel at the Columbarium at St. John's Cathedral 816 Spadina Crescent E, Saskatoon, at 4 pm on Friday November 7, 2025.