Obituary of Matt Riabko

It is with sorrow and grief that the family of Matt Riabko announce his passing on August 18, 2022 at the age of 93. Born on December 4,1928 Matt leaves to remember and to mourn his wife of 66 years Mavis Riabko, his daughter Bonnie (Jim) Wagner, his son Mitchell (Gwen) Riabko, grandchildren - Brooke (Scott) Fordice, Brittany Wagner, Kyle (Stephanie) Riabko, Benjamin (Amber Stobbe) Riabko, great grandchildren - Milla Fordice and Jace Fordice. Matt was born on the farm south of Insinger, Sk and raised near Sheho, Sk. After attending Normal School in Moose Jaw, Sk Matt accepted his first teaching position at a one room rural school near Whitebeech, Sk. Before continuing his education training at the University of Saskatchewan, Matt took a short break to attain a certification in radio communications upon which he ventured upon an exciting placement at the RCAF base and weather station located at Resolute Bay. Through the use of Morse Code and radio, Matt was responsible for safely guiding in supply aircraft onto the base and recording weather data. As an amateur photographer, Matt captured his life on the barren and cold northernmost parts of Canada including photos of Inuit culture, its peoples and wildlife such as muskox, polar bear and seals. Upon returning from the north, Matt and Mavis got married in 1956 and soon welcomed their daughter Bonnie followed by son Mitchell. Including rural teaching positions at Brandon School, Elite School, Wroxton School and Togo School, the majority of Matt’s teaching career was in Yorkton, Sk including principal positions at Columbia, Simpson and Dr. Brass Schools. Up until his passing, Matt could easily recall many (if not all) of his past students, never missing an opportunity to say hi to those he bumped into on his downtown excursions. Matt had a lifetime love for the outdoors including years of hunting and fishing trips with friends and family and numerous snowmobiling excursions with his nephew Walter. He also loved his garden and worked tirelessly during the growing season to prepare for the fall canning process alongside Mavis. Matt often described himself as a “jack-of-all-trades” but a master of none! That said, he had a hand in building three homes for his family and he fulfilled his love for the outdoors by building the family cabin at Madge Lake which he says he did using only a hammer, a skill saw, a level and a square. For years Matt and Mavis travelled between Yorkton and Madge to enjoy the comforts of the fruits of his labour. To this day Matt’s cabin legacy stands as strong and true as it was first built in 1970 and continues to be loved and enjoyed by his children and grandchildren today and for many years into the future! During his retirement years, Matt regularly traveled to his daughter and son-in-law’s farm located between Eastend and Maple Creek, SK. Matt loved to visit with his grandchildren on the farm and never shied away from helping out with harvest or cattle branding. Matt was very social in nature and found both his faith and numerous friendships by joining the St. Mark Orthodox Church congregation where Matt and Mavis were welcomed with love and open arms. Matt was predeceased by his infant daughter Tricia Leigh Riabko, father William Riabko, his mother Helen Riabko, brother Mike Riabko, sisters Victoria Snegur and Doris Lyttle. The funeral service was held on Friday, August 26th 2022 from St. Mark's Orthodox Church in Yorkton with Rev. Fr. Rod Luciuk, and Rev. Fr. Andrew Piasta as Celebrants. The crossbearer was Stan Wasylyniuk, Cantor Zennovia Duch led in the singing of the responses. The interment took place in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Mitch Riabko, Benjamin Riabko, Walter Riabko, Jim Wagner, Russ Thompson & Wes Fyck serving as the casketbearers. Service Details. Service When: Friday, August 26th, 2022 10:00am Location: St. Mark's Orthodox Church Address: 160 Betts Ave. YORKTON, SK S3N 1M5 Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of Matt Riabko December 4, 1928 - August 19, 2022 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book