Dean Albert Berezay, after a valiant fight with cancer, passed away surrounded by his family. He was born on July 19, 1928 in Cardston, Alberta, and died on March 8, 2017 in Cardston, Alberta.
Dean is the son of Eugene Berezay and Edna (Albiston) Berezay. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Enola (Hoyt) Berezay, and 10 of his children: Jenny (Dallas) Erickson, Murray (Sherri), Dean Thomas (deceased), Deana Berezay, Rod (Cynthia), Kathy (Larry) Schow, Kelly Berezay, Dan (Michelle), Dixie (Scott) Kramer, Kari (Ron) Van Elswyk, Josh (Tamara). Dean has 68 grandchildren, 93 great-grandchildren (with four in hiding), and five great great-grandchildren (with one in hiding). His sister, Marie Watson, and his brother Lloyd Berezay are his only living siblings.
All who know Dean have been uplifted by his honesty, kindness, hard work and service in the communities wherever he has lived, also his acceptance of others no matter their life’s circumstances, his many people and animal impressions, and his fun personality. He always said that the only people in this world who aren’t his friends are the people he hasn’t met yet. Many young boys, who are now men, still see him as a father figure in their lives.
Dean worked at many different occupations in his lifetime, and he found success in most things he tried. Many people know he was a great carpenter and builder of wood and men. Dean and his “boys” are responsible for some difficult home renovations, and many of the longest-lasting shingling jobs in the Cardston area. He loved being an auctioneer. He worked alongside his wife, and any of his children he could talk into holding up the stuff for sale. He sold everything from a billy goat, to pies, cakes, and all kinds of services, all to fund local scouting programs and other charity events.
The family moved from Cardston to the Missoula area and then to the Bitterroot in 1956. His family lived on a farm in the Three Mile area. In 1962 they moved to a ranch on the foothills west of Victor where he farmed and raised sheep, cattle, horses and apples among other things.
Dean returned home to the Cardston area in 1971, and has continued one of his major lifetime goals, kindness to his fellow men. He was the Cardston Citizen of the Year in 1994. He is a true cowboy who has cast a fairly big shadow, filled with hard work, integrity, and fun. He will be sorely missed, but we are all thankful that we had the chance to know “the man”!