Nick Zadan

1940 - 2025

 It is with heavy hearts that the family of Nick Zadan announce his passing. Nick passed away at his home in Lethbridge of heart failure on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at the age of 85 years.

Nick is survived by his sister Valentina (Lloyd) Robinson of Medicine Hat. He is also survived by twelve nieces and nephews Larry Zadan, Jean Zadan, Fred Werewka, Walter Sylewko, Cynthia (Cindy) Berntson, Karen Spengler, Geraldine Toth, Jeannette Badura, Bryan Badura, Carolyn Siemens, Linda Robinson and Michael Robinson.

He was predeceased by his parents Ivan and Anna Zadan; brother John (Janina) Zadan; sister Mary (Fred) Werewka, Nina Skretting (John Badura and Reider Skretting); niece Jeannie Holstine and nephew William “Bill” Badura.

Nick was born May 1, 1940 at Komyshuvakha, Ukraine. At that time, this area of Ukraine was the front line of WWII between the Soviet and Nazi Armies. In 1942, two year old Nick and his family were captured by the Nazi Army and sent to Linz, Austria. They were placed into forced Labor Camps for the duration of WWII. In 1945, World War II ended in Europe, and freedom was reinstated to our family. The realization set in that five year old Nick and his family no longer had a home or country to go to. Camp Lexenfeld, the USA zone at Salzburg, Austria would be home to the Zadan family for the next three years. It was here where the International Refugee Organization would care for and help the family make plans for a final settlement to a new country.

On June 14, 1948, the Zadan family left Austria, boarded the SS Marine Falcon cargo ship, and sailed off to a new country. Pier 21 in Halifax welcomed Canada’s newest citizens on June 23, 1948. After clearing customs, the family boarded a CPR passenger train bound for Taber, which would become their permanent home.

Nick attended school in Taber, and graduated from WR Myers High School. He always wanted to be a policeman ever since he was a little boy, so a year after graduating High School, Nick applied and was accepted into the Ontario Provincial Police Force (OPP) in 1963. His first posting was in Upsala, Ontario. He enjoyed the people and the outdoors, including hunting and fishing. His next posting from Upsala was with the Thunder Bay OPP. Through the years he had several promotions and postings. Nick enjoyed keeping fit, including participating in marathon races. He eventually moved south to Oakville and his final posting was in Burlington, Ontario at the OPP Detachment. Nick felt honored to be Staff Sergeant, as the Commander in Charge for sixty one officers. He retired from the OPP in 1994 and moved back to his hometown of Taber.

Family and friends came first to Nick throughout his life, especially during his retirement years. He moved to Lethbridge, staying active through walking in the coulees and joining a bowling league. Nick often would meet up for meals or a coffee to enjoy time with family and friends. He will be missed by us all.

The Funeral Service was held at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, December 19, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden