Orest Dmytriw Zaharia

 It is with great sadness that the family of Orest Zaharia announce his passing in Hinton, AB, on June 12th, 2025, at the age of 80 years.

Orest was born to Metro and Mary (Stinka) Zaharia May 1, 1945, in Preeceville SK.

He is survived by children David (Bernadette) and Christine (Paul), grandchildren in order of birth, Tricia (Dallas), Kayce-Jo (Jason), Chase (Darian), Paul Jr. (Jenny), Shawn (Jordyn), and Paige (Kevin), 6 great-grand children, sisters Iris Bogucky and Gloria Durette (Neil), sister-in-law Jenny, and son-in-law Chuck. Dad was blessed to have many Zaharia and Keller family members that had been part of his life, here and now waiting for him…

He is predeceased by Carole, his wife of 49 years, his youngest daughter Cynthia, his parents Metro and Mary, his brother Jerry, and brother-in-law Ernie.

Orest and Carole met, married and began their family when Orest took a job in Edmonton.  He was a welder by trade, a GREAT one! He told us he had started quite young out of necessity as a few of the vehicles on some joy rides needed “repairs”. Dad, as we know him, was the third generation of welders, something the Zaharia family has a bounty of throughout their family tree.

After David and Chris were born in Edmonton, another opportunity for work arose and the family packed up and moved back to dad’s stomping grounds of Hyas, SK. He hopped into Gido’s shoes, and Hyas Welding became a staple business for farmers and industries in the area. Not long after, Cindy was born, and their family was complete.

Our family spent a lot of time camping, fishing, hunting, pidpenky picking, snowmobiling, ice fishing, curling, and whatever other sports were “of the season”. We were lucky to be raised along side nature, Dad’s happy place.

Family was so very important to both our parents, so were friends, and the friends that became family. There were always extra plates at our supper table. Both Mom and Dad were hard workers, never taking what they had for granted, or what they earned, and they passed this down to their family that they had created.

David and I went our separate ways after graduation. Mom, Dad, and Cindy left Hyas in 1991, and we all became reunited here in Hinton.

After mom’s passing, then Rocky’s, the greatest dog Mom and Dad thought they ever had, dad remained on his own till he hit the jackpot-Pine Valley Lodge! Dad’s family there (all the staff and residents) knew him as a sassy, but a kind and gentle man, and sometimes a bit of a teaser.  If a person could melt his outside, or dish it back to him, you were his special people.

Dad’s values, his morals, his traditions, his knowledge and most importantly, his love, will live on…Our dad, our Papa, our great Papa Orest, may you finally rest in peace. We will love you forever….bye for now.

Thank you to dad’s doctors, all the nursing staff, the Palliative and Homecare team, Pine Valley staff, and especially to all you wonderful angels that work on the 3rd Floor…. his life would not have been the same without you and his family holds a special place in our hearts for you all!

Please send your monetary donations in Remembrance of Orest to 
The Residential Care Foundation. 
 Because of them, 
dad finally slept peacefully in his bed.

A Prayer Service will take place on June 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM at the Our Lady of the Foothills Catholic Parish, Funeral Services will be held on Friday, June 20, 2025.

Internment will follow at a later date.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Orest Dmytriw Zaharia, please visit our floral store.