Michael Stephen Sarada of Estevan, formerly of Melville, passed away in Estevan, SK on Monday, January 8, 2018 at the age of 44 years. Our hearts are broken as we lay to rest our son, brother, uncle, cousin and dear friend to so many. Michael was born in Melville on January 2, 1974. He was Melville's New Year's Baby that year. His Mom Peggy tells us that there were other babies vying for this title but Mike made it first. From the start he was a tough competitor it seems. Mike grew up in Melville and was the neighbourhood bike riding, ball/hockey playing, "hey come to play" force. You had to remind him to come in and eat lunch but back he went outside, knocking on doors to get a kid to come out to play. He graduated from Melville Comprehensive High School in 1992. Mike loved all sports. He played baseball, football and hockey, but hockey became his passion. He played for the Junior B Hudson Bay Saints, the Junior A Flin Flon Bombers, the Junior A Melville Millionaires. He then carried on his hockey career as a senior player with Grenfell Spitfires, Wawota Flyer, Altona Maroons, Bienfait Coalers and the Midale Mustangs. Here again he was a force helping Midale to win three league championships as a defenceman. Valuing a higher education, Mike attended the University of Regina and obtained his Bachelor of Administration degree in 2001. As an outdoorsman and having been influenced by both the Sarada and Denesyk family farms Mike chose to focus his business career in agriculture. He had summer jobs with grain elevators in Sintaluta, Kelso and Ituna; he then began his full time career with Pioneer in Balgonie, then Winnipeg, finally settling in Estevan with Richardson Pioneer as a Grain Merchant for the past 14 years. For the last five years, Mike was an Assistant Coach for the Estevan Bantam AA Bruins. The tributes of Mike from this hockey world in particular are incredible. He's regarded as irreplaceable, outstanding, caring and the best kept secret in Saskatchewan. He was a force. So many stories have been shared with the family since his passing. All of them express their heartfelt shock and sadness and practically all share a laugh or two. While he was known for being honest and direct, respectful and encouraging, his social nature meant a lot of laughter and good times happened when Mikey was there. Mike made a huge difference in so many lives with his warm heart, his huge beautiful smile and his soft caring personality. He made friends easily and so many friendships were valued as lifelong. His kindness was so second nature to him that we doubt Mike fully understood the scope of his impact on others. In friendship, he was a force. Mike adored his nieces Molly and Anna and nephew Jack, to them Uncle Mike was the Best. Always attending their activities and staying interested in their lives. In most recent years, he became adored by his girlfriend Tamie's children. They speak of how fun and how kind Mike was to them, supporting them as well in their activities and daily lives. In his families here again, Mike was a huge force. His sister Lori calls Mike a top quality guy. She is so right. Mike, your forces will be so sadly missed. Mike leaves behind his girlfriend Tamie Bieber and her children, Megan (Mike Seida) Bieber, Kaelum (Kaibre Watson) Bieber, Jayda (Zach Maurer) Bieber, Moraea (Colby Martinson) Bieber, McKenna Bieber; parents, Peggy and Richard Sarada, sister Lori (Justin) Komarychka; nieces, Molly and Anna; nephew Jack as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by maternal grandparents Steve and Frances Denesyk; paternal grandparents Fritz and Mary Sarada; his uncle Johnny Sarada, Uncle Bill Sarada, Aunt Lorraine Giles, Aunt Lillian Sarada. A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, January 13, 2018 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Crystal Bailey, B.Th, Certified Celebrant officiating. Tributes and Words of Remembrance were given by Trent Rude and Kent Bittner. Funeral Service was held on Monday, January 15, 2018 from the Church of God in Estevan, SK with Pastor Geoff Thiessen officiating. Interment followed in the family plot in the Garden of St. Luke in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens. Memorials in memory of Michael may be made to Melville Minor Hockey, Box 1585, Melville, SK S0A 2P0 or to the TS & M Bantam AA Bruins in Estevan, Box 146, Estevan, SK, S4A 2A2. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com or at www.hallfuneralservices.ca. Arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services in Estevan and Bailey's Funeral Home Yorkton - Melville.
