John Victor Remai

The Livestream Link will be available HERE on the day of the service and will go live approximately 5 minutes before the event.

With much sadness but immense gratitude for a life of 96 years lived to the fullest, we say good-bye to our beloved husband, father, grandfather and Master Builder. John Victor Remai passed away June 16th, 2026

We are privileged to tell his wonderful life story.

John was born to Hungarian immigrant parents on April 11th, 1930 in Guernsey. He was the fifth of eleven children. Farm land proved to be poor quality for growing crops, so at the age of 10 his family moved to a small area of land near Carrot River. He helped his brothers load all of their cattle into box cars and herd them from Carrot River to their farm.

Growing up with his siblings left many childhood memories for John to cherish. He always spoke about how hard it was for pioneer women like his mother who baked loads of fresh bread daily, helped in the fields and did laundry on a washboard. John often talked about farming with horses long before tractors came into the picture.

The family attended church every Sunday and after the service their Bistritz cousins would come over for lunch and a visit. He attended public school and played on BellBoys softball team always remembering their slogan 'Lightning thunder smoke and steam - here comes BellBoys softball team!" He started his love of building by constructing birdhouses and doghouses all over the farm.

He completed his grade 10 by correspondence, quite an accomplishment for a farm boy at that time. At the young age of sixteen, he enrolled in woodworking at Technical School in Saskatoon. When leaving home his father wanted him to stay and farm even promising him a quarter section of land when he turned 21; his mother, also standing on the train platform, wisely squeezed $2 into his hand and said "GO!"

Following his time at woodworking school, he started his apprenticeship with Shoquist Construction. He was a hardworking and dedicated employee; working 6 days a week and limiting himself to 4 hours on Sunday. At the young age of 19, he became a foreman; he always said it was because he could sweat easy but we know his work ethic gave him that promotion. Always the ambitious entrepreneurial person, he made the decision to strike out on his own in the construction world. His boss Art Shoquist didn't want John to leave and even offered him shares in the company. But John wanted to be his own boss and moved on.

He immediately went home to the farm at Carrot River and put his skills to good use by building his parents a new house and hip roof barn. From there he started bidding on projects, winning contracts and building schools in the summer. In the winter months, he worked up north in his sawmill assisted by his brother Frank.

Gradually, he stopped building schools and other contract work (the last school being Lampman Saskatchewan) and focused on building apartment buildings for his own company which he started in July 1957.

He married his first wife Lucy in 1955 and together they raised a family of 6 children. Despite being busy with building, John found time to take the family on vacations, go skidooing, attend ball games and shuttle Darrell from rink to rink for his hockey games. He passed onto his children an excellent work ethic but with the caveat that they should always do what they were passionate about. John and Lucy divorced in 1987 after all the children were grown.

His first venture into the hotel business during 1962-1963 was the construction of the Clarendon Hotel in North Battleford, The Corona Hotel in Yorkton and the Coronet Hotel in Prince Albert. After that in 1966 he built the first high-rise residential apartment building in downtown Saskatoon on the riverbank across from the Medical Arts Building - The Palisades.

On a trip to the United States during the 1960's, John noticed the Imperial 400 chain of motels and thought that would be a good fit for Canada. Upon his return, he became the registered owner for the trademark in Canada. Not long after, an Imperial 400 Motel was proudly standing in Prince Albert. John developed a tremendous following with the commercial travelers who gladly patronized his hotels.

The development bug took hold and before anyone knew it, Imperial 400 Motels followed in Saskatoon, Regina, Yorkton, Swift Current and Lloydminster. This was in addition to dozens of walk-up apartment buildings and three small office buildings that seem to have sprung up in many city and town locales in the province.

Always wanting to do a large development, John took a risk and built the Renaissance Hotel and Condominium Complex in downtown Saskatoon along Spadina Crescent on the river bank in 1984. Even though most people thought he was, to put it mildly, "crazy" he persevered and built one of the most successful projects in the city gracing the skyline. What most people didn't understand was the benefit that this development during tough times gave for construction companies and labourers to earn a living. Four years later, he took an even bigger venture by building the Delta Hotel/Convention Centre/ Office Complex and Parkade in Regina which was another successful feather in his cap. 

John married the love of his life Sonja Prescesky in 1990. Together they enjoyed a life of work, travel and spending time with family and friends. Christmas Eve became a tradition with his children and grandchildren at their condo. Twice every year, they hosted John's siblings for various celebrations often featuring home-made Hungarian cuisine.

There was more than work to John's life. Starting in the 1970's and throughout his life, he became a generous philanthropist, quietly donating millions of dollars and properties (including a full-service hotel, office building and condominium) to various charities. He generously supported minor sport so kids could have a chance to play baseball and hockey. His caring generosity extended to those less fortunate at the Food Bank, Friendship Inn and Salvation Army. His community service included a past board member of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (now Nutrien), the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce and St. Anne's Home. In 1989, he was the first honorary recipient of the Saskatchewan Tourism Award.

While actually a very humble individual, he was fortunate to rub shoulders with royalty (being presented to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1990 and greeting Prince Andrew and Princess Fergie at the hotel in Saskatoon.) John was also an ardent follower of politics both federal and provincial and was a member of Brian Mulroney's Honor Roll in 1997. No one was more dedicated to Saskatchewan and Canada than John who always said "we live in the best province in the best country in the world".

There was also time for fun and John's idea of fun was driving around in his 1984 Red Lamborghini or one of his four Rolls-Royces (which he often called lemons!) that were kept spotless by his driver. He was known to say that his cars knew every curve of the highway but so did the RCMP!

Normally men are not fashion conscious but that can't be said for John. He had a keen sense of fashion and loved to shop - venturing to Toronto twice a year to seek out his favorite pieces from Versace. His closet is full of designer suits, jeans shirts and shoes. He was proud of the fact that his size never changed over the years.

In 2007, John decided it was time to retire but wanted to do something in the form of a hobby that had a purpose. His passion was still building and he decided to go back to his woodworking roots. That's how the idea of JR's Designer Birdhouses was born. He built beautifully designed birdhouses that he donated to several charities to sell to support their causes. His numerous beneficiaries of more than 7,000 birdhouses were The Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation, The Battlefords Hospital Foundation. The Humboldt Hospital Foundation, The Prince Albert Hospital Foundation, The Lloydminster Hospital Foundation, Nutrien WonderHub, the SPCA, other charities for fund-raising and numerous family and friends. This much-loved hobby raised over $500,000 for these charities. People from all across Canada and the USA have these masterpieces in their backyard. This was a hobby that he absolutely loved -spending 6 days a week and often on Sundays. Unfortunately, a stroke in August 2022 put an end to fifteen years of a wonderful hobby. Although he recovered quite well from the stroke, returning to the shop was not an option.

Occasionally John would leave the shop and he and Sonja would travel; they travelled extensively to many places and continents. From every country in Europe and the UK, Scotland and Ireland to Hong Kong, South America, Russia, Dubai, the Baltics, Japan and Australia along with 7 cruises and 30 annual trips to Hawaii, they enjoyed the cultures and cuisines of many countries.

While John's accomplishments and qualities were many, his greatest attribute was his love and affection for Sonja and his children and grandchildren. He never missed a Christmas, birthday or anniversary for any family member. His generosity to family and others will never be forgotten. We will miss him tremendously for the love, lessons and guidance he gave and will do our best to live up to the legacy he left behind for us.

John will be forever loved and remembered by Sonja Prescesky Remai his loving wife of 36 years, his children Patricia (Morley) Schemenauer, Catherine (Garry) Ollenberger, Colleen Remai, Darrell Remai, Carla (Kennedy) Weiler and Pam Remai along with his 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Henry, sisters Rose (late Carl), Elsie (late Neil), Terry (late Dennis). He was predeceased by his sisters Mary (late Frank) and Julia (late Vilmos) and brothers Steve, Jim (late Mary). Frank (Ellen) and Joe (late Marie).

Special thanks and appreciation to his team of caring physicians - Dr. Douglas Wood of the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Dalibor Slavik and Dr. Shah of Saskatoon who played a key role in his health and ability to enjoy life.

Flowers are absolutely declined; for those wishing to honor John's memory, donations may be made to the Jim Pattison's Children's Hospital Foundation.

Please join us for the Celebration of Life of this amazing man

to be held at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 816 Spadina Crescent East, Saskatoon, Saturday, June 27th, 2026 at 10:30 am followed by a luncheon and fellowship.