EUGENE KABAN

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EUGENE KABAN

Eugene passed away quietly in his room at Kirbyson Home at the age of 76 years on September 23, 2025.

He was born September 17, 1949 in Rossburn to his parents Dmytro and Hanah (Kostuk). Eugene attended school in Rossburn. He worked on the family farm for 33 years, had a repair and welding shop and he designed and built equipment for their farm and others. Eugene loved going to auction sales and was always on the hunt for unusual items. His interests included farming, gardening, woodworking, music, handi-man jobs, going for coffee with friends, and in his younger years going to the barn dances. Eugene was a great cook and baker and often shared his mothers’ recipes with the staff at Kirbyson Home.

Eugene endured great pain for the last 35 years of his life. He had multiple operations that failed to rid him of the pain. The last 3.5 years he was forced to use a wheelchair which was hard for him to accept. He recognized in 2020 that he required more care with his health so moved into Kirbyson Home and was thankful for the 24 hour care from the Daughter On Call staff in Kirbyson Home. Eugene took great interest in all of the staff and their families. He was very thoughtful when someone had a birthday and always had a card ready for them. Eugene liked to buy lots of treats at Christmas to share them with everyone in the home. While he wasn’t a big fan of the house dog Lucy, she stayed by his side the last week of his life keeping an eye on him and ensuring he wasn’t alone.

Eugene never married or had children of his own but instead referred to Gail Freeman-Campbell as his ‘chosen daughter’. He was very close to her and that was evidenced by his worrying about her when she was riding her motorcycle or travelling out of the country. For many years Gail assisted him with rides to surgical appointments in Winnipeg, advocating for his health care needs, doing shopping for him, taking him to A&W and for drives in the country to check the crops, answering his sometimes-countless phone calls, being ‘his person’ that he could always count on. He enjoyed visits and assistance from her husband Brent Campbell and their children Devin, Jessica Ann, Caitlin, Jessica Lee and Curtis. Eugene and Devin had a special bond and enjoyed each others company. Eugene kept in touch with his cousins Alvin and Bruce. He enjoyed catching up with them on the phone or in person and days before he died, he made the last calls to say goodbye.

Eugene was pre-deceased by his parents Dmytro and Hannah (Kostuk); grandparents Wasyl and Martha (Pushka) Kaban, Hnat and Irene (Deydey) Kostuk, his brothers Adolph, Walter and Joseph and his sister Elsie (Kaban) Charney.

Eugene wanted ‘his staff’ to be acknowledged in his obituary. He was very thankful to them for not only their care but also their companionship. He often said that living at Kirbyson Home was like living with family. Eugene knew he could be grumpy and difficult at times and sometimes that went a little too far…but he knew his ‘family’ would always accept his apology. Daughter On Call staff in the Kirbyson Home accepted Eugene just the way he was. While there were some rough days with him there were also many days of laughter and fun. Staff enjoyed his knowledge and guidance in the kitchen and the garden. He often taught them words in Ukrainian and followed his Ukrainian traditions. Eugene grew some prize tomatoes and beautiful lilies this past summer. Every year that they bloom going forward will remind us of him. Special thanks goes to Betty and Fred, Ishi, Frashia, Solomon, Sim, Lillian, Larissa and Sofia for the gentle care, good meals and most of all for the friendship. Proshchavajte, moji druzi!

Eugene will be laid to rest at the Brandon Cemetery Columbarium, next to his next to his brother Adolph on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome to attend.

Condolences: brockiedonovan.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 04, 2025