Fabian – The family of Vincent Fabian are heartbroken to announce the passing of their beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather on January 24, 2022. Vince passed away at Sunrise Gardens, Brooks Alberta, at the age of 94 years following a battle with dementia. Vince was born in Czechoslovakia and immigrated to Canada at the age of 11 with his family in 1937. He knew very little English and was concerned he was to have to begin in grade one. But he learned quickly and was diligent, so that by the end of that year, his teacher promoted him to grade 6. Vince married Ann Sickel in 1955, and they were blessed with four children, Donna-Lee Fabian-Chernoby of Miami, Florida, Debbie-Layne Macleod of High River, Alberta, Patrick Fabian of Tilley and was pre-deceased by his son Perry, in 1968. In addition to farming, Vince started and with his wife Ann, successfully built, Fabian Insurance Services, Ltd, a general insurance agency from their home for 48 years. Vince was elected as a councillor representing Tilley for the County of Newell in 1969 and was re-elected to that position as a member of the County Council for 35 years. During his years in office, he had served at various times as Reeve, Chairman of the Board of Education, and a member of numerous committees including South East Alberta Health Unit, Municipal Planning Commission, South East Alberta Regional Planning Commission, Southern Alberta School Authorities Association, Brooks and County of Newell Regional Landfill Authority, the Brooks Health Center Board, and the Provincial Executive of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties. In 1990, Vince was sponsored by the Federal Department of External Affairs to travel to Czechoslovakia to offer advice on the formation of local government in that country. In 1993, he was appointed by the Alberta Minister of Environment for a two-year term to help rewrite the Water Act. Working with his son, Patrick, gave Vince great joy. Together, they won the Farm Family Award in 2001 and in 2012 Vince, with Patrick, were awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for their many years of community service. The family recognizes and thanks the amazing staff at Sunrise Gardens, Doctors Elgersma and Coetzee, and the home care nurses from AHS for the wonderful care they provided to Vince. Vince was a witty, intelligent, kind, hard-working and community-oriented man who never knew a stranger. His genuine interest in people was capped with a constant sense of humor that never failed to lift everyone’s spirits who had the privilege of his company. He found great joy in his family and will be missed greatly by his wife, Ann, children, Donna-Lee (Michael), Debbie-Layne (Brent), and Patrick, his seven grandchildren Laurel (Chernoby) Lodish, Dr. Kelsey Macleod, Dr. Grant Chernoby, Jennifer (Fabian) Sturm, Dr. Scott Macleod, Andrew Fabian, and Stephen Fabian, and 4 precious great grandchildren, Asher Lodish, Mackenzie Lodish, Barrett Sturm, and Dalton Sturm. Vince leaves a legacy of love, honor, and integrity to be cherished by his family and carried with them throughout their lives. A Family Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, January 29 at 1:00 PM from St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Rev. Marino Infante Celebrant. Interment followed at Brooks Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
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