Craig Wolanin November 19, 1953 - November 13, 2024

It is with the saddest of hearts that we advise of the unexpected passing of our loved one, Craig Edward Wolanin, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

Craig was born and raised in Dryden, attending St. Joseph’s Catholic School and Dryden High School.  As a child, Craig attended mass regularly with his family at St. Joseph’s Church and served as an altar boy.  One of Craig’s favourite childhood memories was walking home with his family from Christmas Eve Mass with the snow falling gently. A perfect moment and a perfect memory, which he held close to him throughout his life.  Even though he didn’t attend church as an adult, Craig’s Catholic faith was important to him.

Craig spoke often of his beloved childhood with his father, mother and sister.  He felt he had been blessed to grow up with such a strong connection with his immediate family, as well as with his aunts/uncles and cousins on both the Burns and Wolanin/Cesitias sides of the family.  Trips to Beausejour to visit the Wolanin relatives were valued vacations!

Craig obtained his forestry degree, gaining employment with the Ministry of Natural Resources for many years. It was at this time that he bought his home on Shady Lane on Eagle Lake.  Being such a quiet and private man, he valued his solitude there and being one with nature, but he also loved the company of his mom and dad, as well as his sister and her family, and of course his valued dogs throughout the years.

With his mom and dad, and later with just his mom, Craig took many trips to Moose Jaw to visit Debbie and her family during holidays and over the summer. He briefly moved to Moose Jaw for several years to be closer to Debbie and his nephews. Later in life, he shared his fond memories of this time, taking cold winter walks with his nephews; as well as his beloved dogs Kahja and Buddy. After these walks, a stop at Tim Hortons was always a must.

These visits over the years were priceless to both the Lepine and the Wolanin clan; they were filled with wonderful memories and heartwarming traditions. When Debbie would come to visit with the boys, they would all pile into Craig’s brown minivan and head out to the cabin. When they arrived, into the lake everyone would go (except grandma, she didn’t want her hair to get wet). Craig yelled out “There’s a snapping turtle over there! Everyone’s feet up”, to which everyone would lift their toes up out of the water. He would chuckle and you could hear Debbie’s boisterous laugh echoing through the landscape as everyone realized Craig was playing a prank.

Craig was a wonderful uncle to his four rambunctious nephews. He was a teacher, mentor, and friend. He patiently taught them wilderness survival skills. Over the years as the boys grew up, he would visit them in Moose Jaw and Edmonton.

Once his mother’s health declined, Craig moved into town to care for her. Once she had passed, Craig remained in the family home, bringing a new puppy, Sparkey, into his life for his final years.

Craig had a select group of friends that he felt comfortable with, and those friendships were so important to him! We know his Thursday morning breakfast club will be missing his company.  During the last six months, Craig struck up a strong friendship with his neighbour, Bill Doherty.  Bill became key in helping Craig with Sparkey, volunteering to take him on walks and working to provide social interactions for Sparkey. Craig’s family cannot thank Bill enough for his caring of Sparkey during this difficult time, and for his valued friendship with Craig.

Craig was predeceased by his father Edward (1998), sister Debbie Lepine (2015), nephew Gerrit (2020) and Mother Viola (2021), as well as his grandparents and many aunts and uncles on both the Burns and Wolanin/Cesitias sides of the family.

Left to mourn Craig’s passing is his best friend Sparkey, as well as his sister’s family: nephews Nicolas Lepine (partner Janessa Ernest, children Ricky, Ella and Piper; Michael Lavigne (husband Rhys); David Lepine (wife Lesley and children Dominic, Liam, and Aria), and Gerrit’s children (Danica, Zoe and Emily Lepine), and brother-in-law Gerry Lepine.  Craig is also survived by his Dryden family, cousin Dale (Cathy) Ripley and their family, especially grandchildren Courtney and Darion, as well as aunts and close cousins on both sides of his family.