Obituary of Paul Rodych

A memorial folder from the funeral service may be printed under the "Memories" tab, then choose "Memorial Program". RODYCH - Mr. Paul Rodych of Yorkton, formerly of the Parkerview district, beloved husband of Margaret, passed away peacefully with his family at his bedside at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon on Sunday, August 18th, 2013. Paul was born on July 26th, 1923 to Alex and Justina (Yurchyshyn) Rodych in the Beckenham district of Saskatchewan (one of eleven children). He attended school at St. Anne's in Ituna and at Runnymede country school. Paul often recounted the four mile barefoot walk to school at Runnymede. Shoes were a luxury reserved for winter months. Lunch included lard or jam sandwiches carried in a jam pail. As a family we will never forget the story of Dad being lowered by his fellow classmates into the sauerkraut barrel at St. Anne's to snitch a few handfuls of product to feed some hungry boys. Dad was the smallest and best suited for this task. Needless to say, the boys who were dangling him in the barrel by his feet let him fall into the barrel when they heard the Sisters coming to check on the commotion. We were never told if he was caught and if there was a punishment for this crime. Paul worked on the family farm with his father and brothers and at local neighboring farms. To supplement his income during the tough economic times of the early 1940's he was one of many young men who rode the railway to various locations in Saskatchewan including Viscount to find employment with large farmers during the growing season. He often spoke of the poor living conditions including finding shelter in a blacksmith shop and covering himself for the night with an old cow hide. Life in the early years was not all about hard work and no play. There was always time for fun at local barn and hall dances. Paul was musically inclined and played with a local band. His favorite instrument was the banjo. Paul purchased his farm south of Parkerview in the spring of 1948. In 1951, his parents came to live with him. He took care of his parents for a total of 25 years. His sister Katie who was visually impaired also lived with him for a period of time. Paul met Margaret Ann Domshy of the West Bend area at a local community dance in 1961. They were united in marriage on July 12th, 1962 at St. Mary's Church in Yorkton. Their marriage was blessed with the birth of two daughters, Christine and Nadia. Paul had a strong work ethic which he instilled in his daughters. As he did not have an opportunity in his childhood to pursue advanced education, he was adamant that his children have every education opportunity possible. Paul and Margaret supported both daughters through their years of university. He was extremely proud of his daughters academic and professional achievements as well as their opportunities for world travel. The Rodych household was well known for local hospitality. Coffee was always served whether you were a close family friend or a complete stranger visiting for the first time. If you left the house hungry, that was simply your own fault for not responding to the multiple requests from Paul to 'eat, eat'. Many a game of three spot were played around the kitchen table with family and friends. Paul was not quite as competitive as his wife and therefore he and his partner of the day would be 'skunked' at times. Oh well, according to him it was just a game. Paul was a faithful member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church serving for many years as Palamar at the St. Nicholas Church in Parkerview. In earlier years, Paul and other church members would raise funds for the church by traveling to parishioner households during the Christmas season singing traditional carols. The singing would continue into the early morning hours with the occasional need to shovel the car out of the ditch due to heavy snow on back country roads. Paul loved working on his cattle and grain farm. He was most at home on the seat of his John Deere tractor working on the field. If you listened closely, you could hear him yodeling as he cultivated the land. Dad in particular loved spring with the birth of each new batch of calves, the arrival of baby chicks, ducks and piglets. He also loved harvest time-reaping the rewards of a spring and summer of hard work. It took several years of persuasion by his daughters for Paul to consider retiring from farming. Failing health and advancing age were beginning to take their toll but Paul refused to quit. The transition began by first renting his land for several years. The cattle were sold in the fall of 2012. Dad was quite happy to have the last hoof leave his yard. In November of 2012, Paul and Margaret moved to their new home in Yorkton. They enjoyed a winter of relaxation as city folk and were meeting many new neighbors and friends. On July 26th, Paul celebrated his 90th birthday with his wife and children. A rich life spanning nine decades has ended here on earth. May he rest in peace in the arms of angels in God's kingdom of heaven. Paul was predeceased by his father Alex, mother Justina, father-in-law Wasyl Domshy, mother-in-law Angela, brother John and wife Alice, sisters Rose Zatwarnitski and husband Fred, Mary Kruz and husband Andrew, Sophie Zborowsky and husband Mike, Katie, Anne Senkowski and husband Russell, Olga, brother-in-law Matt Dorosh, sister-in-law Eva Rodych, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Stephania and Andrew Hajewich and brother-in-law Ed Smithson. He leaves to mourn his passing and to celebrate his life, wife Margaret, daughter Christine (Cliff) of Saskatoon and daughter Nadia of Saskatoon, brother Bill of Ituna, twin sister Pauline Dorosh of Ituna, Gladys (Pete) Byblow of Wynyard, brother-in-law Tony (Alice) of Olds, AB, sister-in-law Leona Domshy of Saskatoon, sister-in-law Louise (Dean) Becker of Roblin, MB, sister-in-law Elaine Smithson of Chilliwack BC, numerous nieces and nephews and many close friends and neighbors. A Prayer Service was held on Friday, August 23, 2013 and Requiem Divine Liturgy on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton, Saskatchewan with Rev. Fr. Methodius Kushko, C.Ss.R. as the Celebrant. The responses were led by Ed Pindus, Colette Karapita and parish choir members. The cross bearer was Allan Hajewich and the epistle reader was Lori - Ann Brown. The iInterment followed in the Garden of Gethsemane at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Dean Becker, Harvey Byblow, James Hajewich, Tom Byblow, Cliff Dyck and Tom Laxdal serving as the casket bearers. Memorials honouring Paul's life may be made to the Heart & Stroke foundation or St. Mary's Church Building Fund. Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.baileysfuneralhome.com Vichnaya Pamyat! Eternal Memory! Funeral arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Friday, August 23rd, 2013 7:00pm Saturday, August 24th, 2013 11:00am Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens