Obituary of John Hnatiuk

John Edward Hnatiuk May 19, 1916 - March 2, 2015 John passed away Monday, March 2, 2015, at the age of 98 from Melville's St. Paul Lutheran Home, following a brief illness. Our family has lost a man with tremendous spirit and strength of character. There will never be another like him. He was born on a farm near Fenwood, SK, to parents Dmytro and Mary (Kolikowich) Hnatiuk and was the oldest of 18, in a family with 20 children. His mother dreamed of him becoming a teacher and John chose that path, attending Normal School in Regina in 1938, and starting his first teaching position in 1939 at Crescent Bluff School. On June 27, 1942, he married his sweetheart, Helen Peciak of Melville, and they moved southwest of Goodeve to Shepherd School. One year later, their first son, Garfield Lloyd George, was born. In 1944 Aysgarth School followed, where he was principal and, in 1945, second son, Kenneth Edwin was born. Ronald Reginald Dmytro, son number three, arrived in 1947 in Insinger. That same year, the family of five moved to Sheho School, and once again John was principal. In 1958, he took an educational sabbatical to the University of Saskatchewan, and completed his Bachelor of Education degree. Wishart school principalship followed in 1959, St. Henry's Separate School in 1964, and then the Melville Comprehensive High School until his retirement in 1975. He taught, coached softball and football, led choirs, was active with the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation, and in 2003 was awarded an Honorary Life Membership from the Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan, and the Melville Chapter, "for outstanding services rendered in the cause of education." Among his other awards: the Knights of Columbus Council and the 4th Degree Brother Stanislaus Assembly each bestowed Honorary Lifetime Memberships (he was a Grand and Sir Knight); he was a lifetime member of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation and was recognized as an Official Henry Kelsey Measurer; the Melville District Credit Union honored him for his 26 years of service as Board president in 1992; and, the University of Saskatchewan presented him with an Alumni Award. An avid hunter of ducks, whitetail, bears, and antelope, he even bagged a trophy bull moose in 1984. All the meat from his hunts went into Helen's freezer and, together, the two of them made the best venison sausage, ever. He also used the venison to cure his bleeding ulcer. When he was teaching, every summer John and Helen would pack their three boys in the car, along with a sturdy tent, and head out across Canada for a new adventure. After his retirement, John and Helen travelled the world: Ukraine, several times; Australia (twice) and New Zealand; China; Poland; England; Alaska; three cruises that included the Maritimes, Jamaica, Trinidad, Nassau, Miami and Florida. There were very few places in the world they hadn't seen. As well as being active in his chosen profession, in the community, travelling the world, and planning family reunions, Dad was also active in his church--St. George's Ukrainian Catholic Church. The Church executive asked him to cantor and he spent two months in Winnipeg training for the role--being a cantor was a serious commitment. The members of St. George's choir were a great support and he loved to sing with them. John was like a cheerleader for life, tasting and enjoying all the experiences that surrounded him; he couldn't wait to see what came next. He loved his hobby farm just around the corner from the schoolyard at Runnymeade and it was a source of great pride, with the added bonus that it was within walking distance to son Ken's farm and cattle operation. He was truly a character, some might say with "attitude," who lived his life to the fullest. He leaves to mourn his wife of 72 years, Helen; sons, Garfield (Johanna), Ken (Dianne), Ron (Margaret). Grandchildren: Mark (Elizabeth), Erin (Pat Coolican), Christopher (Stacey), Nathan (Jan), Justin (Pam Zenkawich), Lee (Terry Lee); great grand-children: Emily, Mikayla, Hannah, Willow, Piper, Alyssa, Taylor, Ashton, Paige and Reese, and Amelie Widowed sisters-in-law: Jean Hnatiuk, Frances Hnatiuk, Alexandria Hnatiuk; sisters, Eleanor Dorish, Kae Foster, Cecille (Henry) Friesen; brothers, Paul (Hattie) Hnatiuk, Peter (Ruth) Hnatiuk, William Hnatiuk, Eugene (Violet) Hnatiuk, Jerry (Donna) Hnatiuk; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Service Information Sunday, March 8th, 2015 7:00pm, St. George's Ukrainian Catholic Church Monday, March 9th, 2015 10:00am, St. Henry's Roman Catholic Church Interment Details St. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery - Fenwood