Obituary of Peter Sawchuk

SAWCHUK - Mr. Peter Sawchuk, beloved husband of Lena Sawchuk of Churchbridge passed away at sunrise on July 4, 2016 with family by his side at Saltcoats Care Home at the age of 99 years. Peter was the youngest child of five, born to Sidor and Mary (Kisliak) Sawchuk. He attended school and grew up in the Calder area. As a young lad he worked for many farmers. In 1935 he met the love of his life, Lena Ursulak. In their courting years they loved to go dancing and play ball after church. They married October 26, 1939, at the Orthodox Church in Calder. In 1942 they were able to purchase their first home where they raised six children and lived for thirty-three years. Due to health reasons they left the family farm and moved to Churchbridge. For the next 7½ years they worked diligently at the elementary school as janitors. While in Churchbridge, many grandchildren would look forward to leaving school at lunch to join Baba and Gido for cottage cheese perogies. Peter enjoyed fishing, gardening (especially his potatoes), and making gallons of wine from his raspberry patch. Peter and Lena embraced their Ukrainian heritage by having traditional family gatherings such as Christmas and Easter. Some of the special values they passed on to their family were love, forgiveness, and a strong Christian faith, mirrored in their 76 1/2 years of marriage. Peter is survived by his loving wife Lena, his children: Doreen (Rodney) Haberstock, Deanna (Orest) Tanchyk, Margaret (Len) Mutz, Steve Sawchuk, Debbie (Ivan) Morash, Cheryl (Myron) Trafananko, his 18 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren, and his brother John Sawchuk. He is predeceased by his father (Sidor) and mother (Mary), sisters Lena Flunder and Anne Bren, brother Nick Sawchuk, daughter-in-law Jeanette Sawchuk, and granddaughter Jocelyn Morash. Prayers were held on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 and the Funeral Service on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton with Very Rev. Father Mel Slashinsky officiating. The responses were led by Yvonne Panchuk & Parish Choir Members. The cross bearer was Rodney Flunder and the banner bearers were Gerald Gorda and Barry Sawchuk. The interment took place in the Garden of Crucifixion at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Trevor Sawchuk, Perry Sawchuk, Shane Mutz, Travis Morash, Ken Haberstock and Mitchell Lyons serving as the casket bearers. Thank you to the caregivers at Lakeside Manor care home where Peter received compassionate and loving care as a resident for the past three years. Memorials honouring Peter's life may be made to the Lakeside Manor Care Home Palliative Room as gifts of remembrance. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com Vichnaya Pamyat! Memory Eternal ! Service Information Tuesday, July 5th, 2016 7:00pm, Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church Wednesday, July 6th, 2016 10:00am, Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens