Greg Bartch

Gregory Frank Bartch, 73, of Sturgis passed away peacefully around 11:00pm at Canora Hospital on June 29th surrounded by his immediate family.

     Greg was born April 16th 1949 in Preeceville to Frank & Lavina (Hedley) Bartch. He was second eldest of six siblings. Greg attended Sturgis Elementary & Composite High School but even at an early age he learned more from on the job training. He even worked for the janitors, Dick & Dorothy Smith, while attending school. But by the age of 12 Greg began working with his father, Frank Bartch, in what would ultimately become his life work and he moved buildings up until the end. During the winter he mined in northern Manitoba in addition to hauling logs. Greg bought a 1969 Camaro and joked that “he had to go work in Thompson because he was one payment behind with only $50 in his pocket.” In 1972 Greg bought his first logging truck and hauled logs into the Sturgis Timber Board. In that same year Greg went to work in Edmonton for Ross Laing (Bim’s Uncle) and that’s how he met his future wife. After dating only a short while he introduced Bim to his parents as “their future daughter-in-law”. Being the romantic man he was, he offered Bim a ring and asked her to “try it on for size”. Greg & Bim later married on August 4th 1973 in Sturgis and later welcomed their 3 children, Vaughn, Aaron and Amber. Greg instilled a strong work ethic in all of his kids and was very proud of all their accomplishments.

     Family and grandchildren were his #1 priority and he made sure that they all knew how much he loved them. And they all knew to never sit in his chair when he got home from work or to touch the Saturday Leader Post until he read it first with his morning coffee. All who knew Greg will undoubtedly miss his stories the most. From his permanent spot at the kitchen table everyone gathered around to hear story after story that would have everyone laughing. He had a knack for telling you in great detail every little thing he had for breakfast down to how the toast was buttered! He made the best soup, especially tomato soup. His signature drink was Golden Wedding, Pepsi to color and no ice to water it down. He loved a good game of Whist and game shows, especially Jeopardy! His love of games extended to Las Vegas where he was often found playing the Mystical Mermaid and said to never be afraid to “throw a $100 in the Sphinx.” If Greg wasn’t singing a song that you had long forgotten or singing classic advertising jingles, he was moving buildings. He said it was never a job, it was a sentence. Bartch Building Movers formed a great partnership with Deneschuk Homes in 1976 and that continues to this day with his son, Aaron Building Movers. Greg had a tough and gruff exterior and some might say he was a real “son-of-a-Bartch” but, if you earned his trust and loyalty, you had his friendship for life.

     He is preceded in death by his father Frank, his mother Lavina and his sister Joanne. He is survived by his wife Bim, children Vaughn (Ryan), Aaron (Jamie) & Amber (Kyle). 5 grandchildren: Austin, Aric, Ava, Ripley & Rex. Sisters Lee (Wally) & Shannon (Brian) and brothers Bob (Heather) and Kelly (Heather). Sister-in-laws Villoy Mitchell Dorrington & Loretta Smaniotto. And his faithful dog Morris.