The city and the citizens of the Battlefords have given a final sendoff to former mayor Julian Sadlowski.
The funeral for Sadlowski, mayor from 2003 to 2009, took place Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Notre Dame de Lourdes Roman Catholic Church.
A prayer vigil for Sadlowski took place at the same location the previous evening. Earlier in the week, flags at City Hall were lowered to half-mast in honor of Sadlowski.
Sadlowski died April 27 following a long battle with cancer.
Up to his death, the former mayor had been working on a book on the history of North Battleford to coincide with the city's centennial in 2013. Sadlowski has turned over the project to Ken Holiday to proof and complete.
A vigil of prayer was conducted Thursday night, presided over by Gil Bellavance. The funeral mass was conducted by celebrant Fr. Gerard Legaspi.
The memorial service marked one final occasion for those who knew Sadlowski from his many public pursuits to remember the former mayor and say goodbye.
In addition to Sadlowski's wife and family, mourners included a who's who of local and regional politics, including Mayor Ian Hamilton of North Battleford, Mayor Chris Odishaw of Battleford, and several present and past councillors and mayors.
The eulogy was delivered by North Battleford City Manager Jim Toye, who touched on all aspects of Sadlowski's life during his speech - in civic politics, in education and his family life, among others.
Toye particularly noted Sadlowski's disdain for titles or special treatment. Sadlowski did not want people to address him as Mayor Sadlowski or Your Worship - "he was just Julian," said Toye.
Donations in memory of Sadlowski are being accepted to go to the Saskatoon Cancer Centre or the Palliative Care Unit through the BUH Foundation. As well, email condolences can be forwarded to mail@battlefordsfuneralservice.com.
