It is with heavy hearts that we, the family of Helmut Fomradas, announce that on September 9th, 2026, he was called to his eternal home with his Lord and Saviour.
Helmut leaves behind a lifetime of memories, stories, laughter, and love that will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him.
He is survived by his wife and best friend of 55 years, Zina Fomradas, who was by his side through all of life’s adventures and challenges. Together, they built a life filled with family, friendship, travel, and countless memories.
Helmut is also survived by his pride and joy, his daughter Theresa Fomradas, who was so very precious to him. His family was his greatest accomplishment and the source of so much of his happiness.
He leaves behind his beautiful grandchildren, to whom he was affectionately known as Poppa: Raylee and Nash Nelson, Daylen Ostapowich, and Jayden Ostapowich. He treasured every one of them and took great pride in watching them grow. And then came the light of his heart and what he would proudly call his biggest promotion of all, becoming Great Poppa to Rory Nelson. Rory brought a special kind of joy into his life, and Helmut cherished his time as a great-grandfather.
He will also be lovingly remembered by his sister-in-law Veronica and John Gedrasik, as well as many extended family members and friends who were fortunate enough to share in his life.
Helmut was a loving brother to Alex Fomradas, Gus and Shirley Fomradas, and his little sister Salma Fomradas. He was also a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews, each of whom has their own memories and stories of him that will be carried forward.
Helmut was predeceased by his parents, Ferdinandas and Mary Maria Fomradas; his sisters Wanda and Adele; his brothers Fred, John, and Otto; his parents-in-law John and Olga Lokotiansky; and his brother-in-law Andrew Lokotiansky.
Dad was an outdoorsman through and through. If he wasn’t at home, there was a good chance you could find him somewhere in the mountains, beside a river or lake, or out on the open prairie. The outdoors was where he was happiest.
Hunting and fishing were not simply hobbies to Dad. They were passions that gave him countless hours of enjoyment and created lifelong friendships and memories. He took great pride in every hunt, carefully choosing his selections with intent and always keeping the future of the herd in mind. He respected the animals, the land, and the traditions that came with being an outdoorsman.
He was fortunate to have many hunting buddies who shared that same passion. Those friendships meant a great deal to him, and there are no doubt countless hunting stories that will continue to be told around campfires and kitchen tables for years to come.
Dad was particularly proud of one very special accomplishment, his Saskatchewan buck, which is entered in the Boone and Crockett record book. It was a prize he was immensely proud of and one he loved to share with others.
In fact, if anyone, and I mean anyone, expressed even the slightest interest in hunting, they could expect Dad to lead them downstairs to meet “The Big Guy.” His collection of mounts was something he took tremendous pride in. Among them were a bison, affectionately known as Ralph, mule deer, white-tailed deer, antelope, bears, moose, and many more.
For Dad, those mounts weren't simply trophies on a wall. Each one represented a story, a place, a hunt, a friendship, and a memory.
Dad was also an athlete and loved being part of a team. He began playing soccer, a sport he enjoyed for many years, before eventually making the switch to broomball. Broomball quickly became another passion, and Dad proved himself to be a talented and competitive player.
He was part of teams that won city championships and even made it to provincials. He loved the competition, the camaraderie, and, most importantly, being surrounded by good friends and teammates.
Dad and Mom also shared a love of travel and were fortunate enough to travel to several destinations around the world, sometimes with close friends and sometimes just the two of them.
He very much enjoyed experiencing new places, seeing different parts of the world, and making memories along the way. These adventures were another chapter in a life that was full of experiences, friendships, and stories.
Above all, Helmut was a family man. He was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He took great pride in the people he loved and in the life he and Mom built together over 55 years.
Those who knew Dad will remember his love of the outdoors, his passion for hunting and fishing, his competitive nature, his stories, his mount collection, his travels, and his ability to turn an ordinary moment into a memory.
His chair may be empty, and the house may feel a little quieter, but the stories will continue, the memories will remain, and his legacy will live on through the family he loved so dearly.
We take comfort knowing that Dad has gone home to his Lord and Saviour, and we hold onto the promise that this is not goodbye forever, but until we meet again.
At Dad's request there will be no formal funeral.
Rest peacefully, Dad. We love you, and we will miss you more than words can say.