Obituary of George Popescul

George Popescul, long-time Cowboy and Rancher of Scout Lake, SK passed away on February 12 , 2015, at the age of 82 years, with his family by his side. George is SURVIVED BY his loving wife of 53 years, Margaret (nee Munteanu); son, Wade (Louise, nee Linthicum); daughters, Carolyn (Neil) MacDonald; Jodi Popescul Klind, Gina (Lyle) Stewart; Nine grandchildren: Nevada Roy, Riley Roy, Jesse Popescul, Tyler Popescul, Jade Popescul, Cassidy Klind, Kylee Klind, Brooke Stewart, and Emily Stewart; and great grand-daughter, Rayla Marjorie Skinner; Sisters, Genevieve (Alister) Polson, Loretta (Pat) Franks. Nephews and neices: Arnold (Karin) Godin, Bonnie (Ross) Gyman, Wesley (Karen) Popescul, , Gary (Rita) Hovey, Fred Hovey, Rick (Joanne) Hovey, Terry (Robert) Thibault, Bernice (Dave) Church, Ken (Sharon) Polson, Gail (John) Linscott , Patricia (Mark) Heagy, Shane (Tammy) Franks. George is survived by his Brother-in-law, Leo (Marilyn) Munteanu; Sister-in-laws, Patricia Bauer, Virginina (Don) Punga, Rene (Vern) Barrett, Betty Munteanu. Numerous nephews , nieces and cousins. George is PREDECEASED BY his parents, Vasile and Verona (nee Banilevik) Popescul; sisters: Mary & Lawrence Godin, Georgina &Les Hovey, Margaret & Eli Petrescu; brother: Peter & Rosalie Popescul. Niece Bernice Petrescu and nephew Billy Godin. Brothers & sisters-in-laws: Mary Tonita, Nick Munteanu, George & Marilyn Munteanu, Betty Erickson, Anne and Robert Jones, Olymipia & Ivor Bain, Lee and Katie (nee Munteanu) Bansescu; Brother-in-law, Larry Bauer, nephew s Dwayne Johnson, Lorne Johnson Connie Bansescu. Prayer Service was held Thur. Feb. 19th, 2015 at Piche-Hawkins Funeral Chapel, Pastors Marlin Juelle & Lionel Moffatt presiding. Romanian Orthodox Funeral Service was held Friday, Feb. 20th, 2015 in the Wood Mountain Community Hall, Fr. Cosmin Sicoe officiating, Cantor: Don Punga, Cross Bearer: Arnold Godin, Banner Bearers: Brent Punga, Daniel Marcenko. Active Pallbearers: Grandsons Jesse Popescul, Tyler Popescul, Riley Roy, nephews Rocky Munteanu, Gary Hovey, and friend, Larry Marr. Honoury Pallbearers: Al and Gene Polson, Pat and Loretta Franks, Alec and Ida Beatul, Robert and Terry Thiabault, Ken Polson, Doug Wilkinson. Mark Elford opened the service with How Great Thou Art. Special Song ‘A Cowboy’s Last Ride’ closed the service. George’s body was laid to rest in the Elm Springs Cemetery, his trusted horse Fiddle standing near by as friend Mark Elford sang with his guitar ‘Back in the Saddle Again’. Following the burial & lunch, a program followed. Tribute was given by all George’s Granddaughters with a special song ‘Grandpa, Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days’ sung by Jade Popescul, Brooke & Emily Stewart. George was born in the Elm Springs district March 19, 1932, on the Popescul family homestead. In 1937 his father, Vasile (known to all as Bill), bought a quarter of land to the south. In the spring, the family moved by wagon through the valley to their new home. The saskatoon trees were in blossom, and the beauty of the prairie hills smelled and looked like a paradise. George recalls many trips when he, and his Dad by wagon; moved all they owned to their new homestead. That was the beginning of what is known today, as the Rolling Hills G9 Ranch. He attended Parker’s Bluff School until Grade 8, then began his life-long work as a Cowboy, in 1946. From this early age of 14, George kept records of the Popescul family operation – the cattle, the horses, pigs, ducks and chickens. What a treasure to have his records from 1946 spanning his entire ranching life; 68 years. George married Maragret Munteanu on Dec. 29, 1961. They raised four children, eldest son Wade(born 1963) and three daughters, Carolyn (born 1965), Jodi (born 1972) and Gina (born 1973). George and Margaret lived off the land, and developed the beautiful Rolling Hills G9 Ranch where they lived until George’s death. He never planned on retirement - he was thankful for his ranch work – it was what he loved to do. George & Margaret spent many of their winter months travelling to Arizona to the warmer climates where they enjoyed visiting family and old cowboy friends, watching the grand children at the team-roping, singing at the jam sessions and playing cards with Don and Virg. George was known in many circles of life. He was a horseman and rodeo cowboy who traveled the Canadian Cowboys Association (CCA) circuit, since it’s beginning. George had a strong desire to be a champion. He had a tremendous work & practise ethic - many hours were spent training and making sure his horses were in good working condition. Margaret remembers him saying, ‘just one more pen’ - as it was getting dark in the practise arena. He and his most-prized Calf Horse, Cinnamon won the Championship Calf Roping title in the CCA in 1974. George travelled the rodeo circuit for many years remained a gold-card member of the CCA. He also traveled on the Senior Old-Timer Rodeo Association toward the end of his roping career. Many good times and stories will remain from those who traveled with George on the rodeo trail. Long-time friends and travelling partners were George Pana, Nicki Nicholson, Sid Amel, Barry Boggust, Larry Jackobson, Doug Wilkinson, Dale Pillar and Kyreon Rood. George was proud to see his children and grandchildren continuing on in the sport of rodeo and enjoying the cowboy way of life. George was a true cattleman. He & Margaret raised and sold Purebred Hereford Bulls, and for many years raised pure-bred Horned Herefords along with their commercial herd. In the 1980’s they started taking cattle to the Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, SK. Most memorable were the years both Grand Champion Pen of Steers and Heifers were won. Registered Quarter Horses were always for sale at the G9 and George & Margaret took much pride in breeding good mares and raising good colt prospects. George had an eye for a good horse and enjoyed training many in his lifetime. He was still halter breaking colts and riding the range in his 80s. He took great satisfaction from his work an enjoyed building a good fence. George also farmed many years through the decades. He enjoyed the days of thrashing when he could drive a team of horses with a rack full of sheaves. The work was hard; but those were times George had fond memories of. In 1948, for his winter wages, George’s father bought him a Gibson guitar. George had a way of bringing life to the party and the many events he was at. He enjoyed sharing a song or two; and in his early years played with a few different orchestras for dances and local gatherings. He lost a finger in a swather in the early 50’s, but he persevered and continued to play. He sure could make that guitar ring. George enjoyed taking the stage, singing with local bands, jam sessions and playing with the Rockglen Pickers. When he was 80, he went in to Dave Sheldon’s recording studio and cut an album of favourite old cowboy songs. What a gift that is for those of us who remain. His favourites were Pour Me Another Cup of Coffee, Hang the Key In the Bunkhouse, Golden Rocket, Eighteen Inches of Rain and Too Old To Die Young. George was a member of the Wood Mountain Rodeo and Rec. Club for over 50 years. He took great pride in his role as a Director; and over the years gave great effort and time to bring in sponsorship money, and do his part to work and maintain the rodeo Grounds; working side by side with many of the younger generation cowboys. George was involved with Canadian Western Agribition Ranch Horse Sale – selling horses; and then being involved on the selection committee. Many good times were spent on the road trading, buying and selling horses over the years. He was quite a businessman. He understood the value of a dollar, and the work it took to earn it. He paid good money for good things. We are sure - that all those who did business with George, remember it being quite an experience. One thing is for sure – he was always bargaining for a good deal! George was a believer. Although he didn’t attend church very often, He spent a lot of time with good LORD, while in the pasture, riding the range. He often said, he didn’t’ have to be inside a church to pray, the outside was his church. George was not always vocal with his praise and thankfulness; but in the the later years, he began to voice his thankfulness and appreciation for all those close to him - especially his wife Margaret, his children, grandchildren and the close friends and neighbours who stopped in to help or lend a hand. George lived his life to the fullest. He leaves behind a legacy of the Cowboy Way and a beautiful home on the Rolling Hills G9 Ranch. His memory and life, will remain forever in the hearts of his family, and all those who truly knew and loved him. Memorial donations in George’s honour, may be made to The Wood Mountain Community Hall, Box 32 Wood Mountain, SK or Broken Arrow Youth Ranch, Box 41, Wood Mountain, SK S0H 4L0. Funeral Arrangements were cared for and entrusted to Patrick & Elan Grondin of Piche Hawkins Grondin Funeral Chapel.