Roger Semaka

1937 - 2023

Roger Allen Semaka, passed away in Taber on Thursday, August 10, 2023, forty five minutes before his 86th birthday.

A private Funeral Service was held at Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 1:00 P.M. with Life Celebrant Shelly Bassett officiating. A private burial followed at Taber Memorial Garden.

Roger was born on August 11, 1937, in Athabasca to parents Madalene and John Semaka, along with his siblings, older brother Ernie, his sister Shirley and younger brother Jerry. He spent his younger years in Athabasca then moving to Edmonton in his 20s. Roger settled in Estevan, Saskatchewan working as a payroll/office manager for a pipeline company. He met his former wife Loretta in Estevan and both of their children were born there, Tanna in 1963 and Ty in 1966. The family moved to Red Deer for one year in 1969 and then Roger fulfilled his dream of owning a hardware store (two actually, as he also had a store in Claresholm). The family settled in Taber where he owned and ran Roger’s Hardware for many years. He later sold the business and purchased Walkrite Shoe Store which he ran until his early retirement in 1994.

Roger was the proud grandfather of four grandchildren. Tanna and her husband Dave Nakamura had a daughter, Taryn in 1993 and Cole arrived in 1996. Roger’s son Ty, had his first son Dante in 2007 and Anton soon after in 2008.

Roger enjoyed spending time in the yard when Taryn was younger, helping him pick strawberries and growing sunflowers. He enjoyed gold panning in mountain streams during vacations and was interested in treasure hunting. In his retirement years he also enjoyed collecting baseball cards, hockey cards, coins, stamps and reading. Roger liked to watch the Toronto Blue Jays and the Edmonton Oilers, always boasting about his teams. Hockey was one of his passions, as he played when he was younger and also watched his grandson Cole play. He didn’t get to spend as much time with his younger grandsons Dante and Anton but he was always happy to see them when they visited from Calgary with their Dad Ty, as they always brought his favourite, A&W burgers.

Roger’s last few years were spent living at Linden View in Taber as his dementia was slowly causing him to fade. Tanna spent the past seven years as his main caregiver, spending time with him and they always celebrated their August birthdays together as the proud ‘Leos’ they were. His passing was unexpected but he will be remembered, missed and loved by his family.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Roger’s name may be made directly to the Good Samaritan Society, Linden View, 4700 - 64 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 0C6 www.gss.org/locations/linden-view.

Thank you to Linden View staff for caring for Roger and to Dr. Leishman, Dr. Kiared and the all dedicated nurses at the Taber Health Centre. The staff went above and beyond to help Roger in his final days and hours.