John DeBona
1947 - 2015
It is with profound sadness, that the family of John Joseph DeBona, announce his passing in Lethbridge on Friday, May 8, 2015 at the age of 67 years.
Relatives and friends were invited to Prayers at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at 7:00 P.M.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Augustine's Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. A private commital service followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.
John is survived by his loving wife Pat, son Clint DeBona and his children Braden and Brooke (Elisha Willis and her daughter, Jaida) of Taber, daughter Jen (Chris) Hay of Lethbridge and her children Gracyn and Grady. He is also survived by his brother Peter DeBona, mother-in-law Helen Clemis, brothers-in-law Kelly Clemis and Gerald (Gwen) Clemis, sister-in-law Sam Clemis as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father Peter DeBona, mother Tresa DeBona, brothers Joey DeBona and Tom DeBona, father-in-law Richard Clemis, sister-in-law Mary DeBona and brother-in-law Michael Clemis.
John was born on July 10, 1947 in Taber to Peter and Tresa DeBona. He received his first part of schooling in Barnwell, and then graduated from W.R. Myers High School. John met the love of his life, Pat Clemis, at a high school curling bonspiel in 1966, and they later married on July 18, 1969. On June 26, 1970, they were blessed with their son Clint, and then their daughter Jen on August 16, 1973. John was a very hard-working man and took great pride in being a farmer. He loved nature and all its beauty, as was evident by the DeBona farmyard, which is always manicured meticulously and abundant with fruit trees and a large garden that he and Pat worked in side-by-side. John always had a soft spot for animals, particularly during the spring when the new born calves, foals and owls arrived. He also loved watching his favorite professional sports. One sport that John took very seriously was horse racing. He first fell in love with it in the sixties by wagering on the ponies. John then became an owner of many successful thoroughbreds and quarter horses over the last thirty years. Most importantly, John treasured his children and grandchildren. Family dinner gatherings, gazing at the moon and stars at the hay shed, attending sports events (being the loudest fan), playing an abundance of board and card games, or simply listening to them play the piano and sing, were a few of his favorite past times. John and Pat were very fortunate to have travelled to many parts of the world, making great friends along the way. He always looked forward to all the new sights and sounds that he encountered, and relished the many memories that were made. Unfortunately, his final journey came much too soon.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in John’s name may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre (Melanoma Research), 1331 - 29 Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N2 or to the St. Michael’s Health Centre (Palliative Care), 1400 - 9 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4V5.
The family would like to thank the Palliative Care Team at St. Michal’s Health Centre and Tammie Crowson at Taber Community Care for the care shown to John throughout his illness.