October 18, 1938
– June 22, 2016
A famous writer once said that we make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. If that were true, then Ted made a great life.
Ted was the son of Steve Dach and Eva Kindratiuk, who immigrated to Canada from the Ukraine in 1914. They settled in Thorchild, Alberta and on October 18, 1938, Ted was born.
As a young child, he attended school in Thorchild with his two sisters, Elsie and Sally, until the passing of his mother.
With his mother gone, Ted moved to Edmonton at the age of 13, taken in by his best friend’s parent, Mr. and Mrs. Harris. These good-hearted people provided the necessities of life and the warmth of a loving home and since there was a shool teacher in the family, education was a priority. Ted graduated from Jasper Place.
Not long after, Ted decided that he would try his luck on the oil rigs. Within eight years, Ted quickly worked his way up the ladder and became a Tool Push, managing his own rig. During these eight years, Ted and his friend, Andy Pahaulick, traveled to exotic places, enjoying life and having fun.
At the age of 25, Ted met and fell in love with Helene Gaucher, daughter of Alexander and Irene Gaucher. Helene was a camp cook at the time.
After three years of working together, they decided to get married, continuing to work alongside each other for the next eight years.
In 1974, Ted became a father for the first time, with the arrival of his son, Steven. Four years later, came their daughter, Connie and then another son, Kevin, in 1981. During this time, Helene stayed home to care for their children and Ted worked hard to provide for his growing family.
Ted often spent his free time with his family, doing outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing and camping. He also loved to watch sports, whether it was his kids competing or something on TV.
After working 50 years on the oil rigs, 10 of which he mentored and worked side by side with his son, Steven. And who would have known that he would have had his hand in match making, meeting his future daughter-in-law before anyone else, whom he also got to work with for a few years.
Ted retired at the age of 66. He was free to spend even more time at his family summer home in Joussard, always trying to catch the big one!
Ted’s family was growing continuously with the births of his six grandchildren – Hunter, Tayva, Derek, Damon, Hayden and Hailey.
Ted was an honest, hardworking man that will be greatly missed. He was a straight forward man who demanded little from those around him and who expected only the best from his children.
Ted Dach was a long time resident of Falher and he passed away in McLennan on June 22, at the age of 77.
Ted is survived by his two sisters, Elsie and Sally; sons, Steve, Derek, Dmon and Hayden; daughters, Connie (Rene) Labrecque and Hailey; and granddaughters, Hunter and Tayva.
As we gather here today (June 30), I see friends and family have come great distances to be here, to remember and commemorate his life.
Let’s bid him farewell as we mourn the loss of a lively, dignified soul. A soul that brought joy and fulfillment to many and whose legacy will live on forever.
As Ted would say, it’s not goodbye. I’ll see you later.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Chapel of Memories Funeral Homes in Peace River, Alberta.
Msgr. Charles Lavoie officiated and Derek Labrecque was the crossbearer.