Sigmund Javorsky of Edmonton, Alberta, beloved husband of Elsie, passed away peacefully in Lethbridge, Alberta on March 16, 2025 at the age of 89 years.

Sig was born March 30, 1935 in little village of Antonovka, Wolhynien in the Ukraine to Wilhelm and Lydia (Schmidtke) Jaworsky. Sig was one of 8 children.

In 1939 all Germans were forced to leave and resettle in Poland. The Jaworsky family was assigned to a small farm to work the land. Sig attended a one-room school from grade 1 to 8.

Sig’s father, Wilhelm was drafted into the German Army in 1942 and in January of 1945 the family left that small farm with a horse and wagon and drove toward Germany. After 3 grueling days and nights of travel, the horses gave out and the family was forced to abandon the wagon to carry on with only the clothes on their backs and facing bitter cold. The Jaworsky family eventually reached a train station and were able to board a train to Heiligenstadt, Germany. They were taken in by 2 farmers in the town of Steinheutrode.

It was in Steinheutrode that Sig completed his grade 8 school and began his training in trade school as a carpenter.

In May of 1951 Wilhelm and Lydia, Sig and his sisters Lena, Elsie and Martha escaped to West Germany. Sig’s oldest sister Frieda stayed behind in East Germany. From West Germany the Jaworsky family made their way across the Atlantic Ocean to land in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In Halifax the family boarded a train across Canada to eventually arrive in Lethbridge, Alberta. In Lethbridge Sig had a contract to work as labourer on a sugar beet farm for 2 years. During the first year he did not even earn enough money to purchase groceries and it was the kindness of a nice grocery store owner that fed the family that first year. Sig was able to earn enough to repay the debt the following year.

In 1953 the Jaworsky family moved to Edmonton where Sig worked in the construction industry. He was quite accomplished as a builder, winning a design award for a home that he built in St Albert.

While serving as a groomsman at Sig’s Tante Hanna’s wedding, Sig met Elsie Rebman. They were married May 9, 1959 at the Edmonton German Pentecostal Assembly.

On May 24, 1965 Sig and Elsie were blessed with a daughter, Karen.

In May 1990 Karen married Troy Basarab. They provided Sig with two grandchildren, Cameron born in 1995 and Micheline born in 1998. The birth of these beloved grandchildren brought Sig much joy.

Throughout his life he enjoyed the outdoors. He had great fun on hunting trips, made 2 big trips into the mountains on horseback and made the long drive up to Alaska twice. He and Elsie enjoyed many days out at their cabin at Alberta Beach as well as trips to the Okanagan, Banff, Jasper and Europe.

Besides his loving wife, Elsie, Sig is survived by his daughter Karen Basarab and her husband, Troy. His grandson, Cameron. His granddaughter, Micheline and her husband Daniel. As well as numerous nieces and nephews and their families both here in Canada as well as back in Europe.

Sig was predeceased by his parents: Wilhelm and Lydia Jaworsky; sisters Frieda, Martha, Lena, Elsie and Olga; an older brother who died as an infant; in-laws: Jacob and Hedwig Rebman, Henry Rebman, Richard Rebman

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am, on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the SOUTHSIDE PENECOSTAL ASSEMBLY, 2821 109 St NW, Edmonton, Alberta, with Pastor Rick Laser officiating.