Obituary of Walt Antifave

Walt Antifave January 14, 1946 – July 19, 2017 Walt was one of four siblings; Ruby, Verna and Ken, born to parents John and Mable Antifave on the family farm near Langham, SK. It was here that he was raised and took part in the duties of the farm. He attended Henrietta elementary and Langham high school. As a boy he did not inherit his father’s abilities of well-witching, but he would always help drive the ponies while they cranked the drill to find water. Many neighbouring farms were grateful for their newfound source. Walt then moved to Saskatoon and worked at an auto parts shop before attending business college. After graduating he began his career in the insurance industry. One fateful night in 1966 at a party thrown by a mutual friend, Walt met Rita Fischer, a lovely young hairdresser-turned-banker who stole his heart. Three years later in August of ‘69, they tied the knot. In 1970 they began and managed “Antifave Insurance Ltd”. Over the next ten years, Walt and Rita laid the foundation for a long and happy marriage by traveling overseas to places like Spain, Hawaii and the Canary islands. Locally they made trips to visit family from BC to Quebec and of course plenty of trips to the lake to satisfy their love of fishing and camping. 1979 saw the arrival of their first child, Shantel, followed shortly thereafter by Scott in ’81. In 1983 the family moved into their forever-home on AE Adams which Walt, and many family hands helped to build. Walt was a dedicated and loving father and always made time for his kids, whether it was playing and horsing around, or teaching them the ABC’s of life. In 2005 Walt sold the business that he spent so many years growing from a small enterprise into a bustling office which served dozens of clients of which some would become great friends. In his life and retirement, Walt was always puttering around, fixing and tinkering, working with wood and building items for friends, from shelves to gardens; caring for the yard, golfing, curling and of course his most precious past-time, fishing. It was after a bountiful catch that Walt’s generous spirit shone, delivering fresh, perfectly filleted fish to friends and family, and stashing just enough for when the kids would visit. In 2014 Walt was diagnosed with colon cancer and successfully battled his way to good health. In January 2017, it was found that he was to face a new battle after being diagnosed with aggressive liver cancer. Walt fought hard, but it was a challenge too great to overcome. He passed peacefully, and without pain on a beautiful summer evening in the home he loved so dear. Walt was predeceased by his parents, brother Ken, sister Verna, brother-in-law Denny Carr, brother-in-law Nick Nemanishen, and niece Renita Saunders. He will be forever remembered and cherished by his wife Rita of 48 years, son Scott (Emily), daughter Shantel, sister Ruby Nemanishen, sister-in-law Carol Antifave/Morash, and all the Antifave & Fischer siblings and families. Walt’s friendly, joking nature was always welcomed and his ability to strike up a conversation with someone on any topic was a trademark of his personality. His sincere interest and care for all of his family, immediate and extended, resounds throughout for all who knew him.