Jerry Nicholas Booy

Jerry Nicholas Booy

1948 – 2020 (age 72)

Glaslyn, SK

It is with great sadness that the family of Jerry Nicholas Booy announce his passing on November 2, 2020 at the age of 72 years. 

Jerry will be lovingly remembered by his wife and best friend of 50 years, Joan and his children: Murray (Ema) – Nicolas; Corinna (Patrick) – Liam; Darcy (Angela) – Breanna, Shelby, Ashlyn. Sisters: Gloria (Terry) Dmytryshyn and Marianne Lafleur. Brothers-in-Law: John (Shirley) Wood and Harvey (Joanne) Wood. Jerry will also be fondly remembered by nieces and nephews, extended family, neighbors, friends and the community.

Jerry was predeceased by his parents Nick & Annie Booy, his parents-in-law Seth & Josephine Wood.

A Funeral Service in memory of Jerry will be held on Thursday, November 19 at 2:00pm in the Glaslyn Community Hall, Glaslyn, SK, Rev. Kun Kim officiating. Attendance will be by INVITATION ONLY due to COVID-19 restrictions. Note: Masks will be mandatory for attendance. The service will be live streamed at the following link: Please click on button located at the very bottom of the obituary.    

Interment at Wolia Cemetery with private family burial. Those who so desire may make memorial donations in the memory of Jerry to the Glaslyn Recreation Board (by cheque to Village of Glaslyn in memory of Jerry Booy in the memo – receipts will be issued) Box 279, Glaslyn, SK  S0M 0Y0 or to STARS Air Ambulance, Website: stars.ca (Tribute Donation). Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Bob MacKay of Eternal Memories Funeral Service.

Jerry Nicholas Booy was born on August 10, 1948 at North Battleford, SK, the first-born child to Nick & Annie Booy of Glaslyn, SK. The Booy family lived 6 miles west of Glaslyn. Jerry attended Palmerston country school. In October 1954, the family, Nick, Annie, Jerry & Gloria moved to Edmonton, AB and then in 1955 the family moved to Fort Saskatchewan, AB. This is where Jerry attended elementary school and participated in school sports and played hockey on outdoor rinks.

In the spring of 1961, the Booy family (now with 3 children, Jerry, Gloria and Marianne) moved back to Glaslyn, SK to the homestead of Jerry’s Deedo & Baba (Stephen & Polly Hawryliw). Jerry finished grades 7 and 8 at Wolia country school then attended high school in Glaslyn, graduating from grade 12 in 1967. During this time, Jerry helped with the farming whenever possible. Jerry’s first job was as parts man at Wm. Pilat and Son, a GM & Massey Ferguson dealership in Glaslyn. In the spring of 1968, Jerry went to work for Harry Dmytryshyn, a gravel contractor, as a truck driver, a loader operator, a mechanic and a welder. And so it began, his love for operating equipment, driving trucks and mechanical work. Jerry always had the biggest smile when behind the wheel driving anything.

On March 14, 1970, Jerry married Joan Wood – earlier this year they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Jerry and Joan built their first house in Glaslyn and moved in February 1971 with their son Murray and then a second child Corinna arrived later that year. In 1972, Jerry quit working out and concentrated on farming full time. In 1976, the family moved to the homestead of Stephen & Polly Hawryliw (Jerry’s Deedo & Baba). Third child, Darcy, arrived shortly after the move. The homestead at SE-4-51-17-W3 is where Jerry spent the next 44 years, living, raising a family and farming. He believed in community and made many contributions throughout the years, by donations, coaching minor sports and often providing knowledge or a helping hand to others. Sports was an interest throughout his life. He played hockey as a child and then as an adult he played hockey, fastball and curling. As time passed and grandchildren arrived, he became their biggest sports fan watching countless games at the arena or ball field. 

Jerry was a remarkable farmer - a true love for the land, pride in family farming, mechanically skilled, and an entrepreneur. Early in his farming career, he sought to become a pedigree seed grower and held membership in the Canadian Seed Growers Assoc, since 1979 and longtime membership in SeCan. Jerry was an original member shareholder with Canterra Seeds since 1999. In 1983, Jerry and Joan incorporated their farming operations to form Je-Jo Farms Ltd. A seed cleaning plant was designed and fabricated by Jerry. It became an authorized establishment offering custom seed cleaning. Jerry became an authorized seed grader. Je-Jo Farms also operated a custom spraying division for a about 10 years. The Booy family received the Century Family Farm Award in 2013 in commemoration of 100 years of family farming in Saskatchewan. With the support of his wife Joan, and his sons Murray and Darcy, over time this his labor of love, passion and endless hard work built the farm operations from meager beginnings to the legacy that he leaves behind today. Farming was Jerry’s passion and he absolutely enjoyed it!

In Jerry’s early farming days, he had Hereford cattle and gradually built the herd to purebred Simmentals. In the early 80’s Jerry made the decision to sell the cattle herd and purchase a highway tractor. This led to a second business, Jerry’s Custom Hauling Ltd., which began by moving fertilizer and grain locally and provide Jerry more opportunities to use his mechanical skills – he did most of the maintenance and repairs himself. At its peak 6 semi-trucks were operating, some winters Jerry would drive truck himself. He enjoyed the long-haul trips through many of the United States and at times Joan would travel with him.

Jerry was well respected as a genuine, humble person, a devoted family man, a neighbor, a friend, a farmer, an entrepreneur and a member of the community. Jerry was greatly admired for his endless work ethic, his vast farming and mechanical knowledge and his life’s accomplishments.

Jerry’s family will forever be grateful for his love, his lessons and the legacy that has guided us throughout our lives. Forever in our hearts. Rest in eternal peace.