Obituary of Jim Kozaruk

KOZARUK - Jim Kozaruk was born on May 27, 1932 in Brandon, Manitoba; the first-born son of Pauline Elaschuk. Jim was raised by Pauline's sister Mary and her husband Leon Kozaruk in the Calder District of Saskatchewan. Although he only completed a grade four education due to having to quit school at an early age to help out with the workload of the family farm; Jim was literate in both the Ukrainian and English languages. In 1963, Jim was united in marriage to the love of his life, Christine Danylko, also of the Calder District. Jim bought out the family farm from Leon Kozaruk and the couple (Jim and Christine) lived a very happy life together working the land and tending to the farm animals. They were blessed with one daughter, Mavis, who loves them very much (in this earthly world and eternally now that they have both passed). Jim took pride in teaching his daughter many of his skills and instilling in her his strong sense of values and beliefs. In September 1992, tragedy struck this family with the passing of Christine who died at the young age of 47 due to Cancer. Jim never truly recovered from this loss. His health too began to fail and Jim developed heart problems. Jim's daughter, Mavis, quit her teaching career to move closer to her father and assist him when and where she could. However, in losing Christine, Jim had not only lost his beloved wife but he had also lost a constant companion, work partner, and best friend. Over the years, sadness and eternal love took their toll and Jim was diagnosed with Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. Jim needed 24 hour supervisory care and thus, sadly, his daughter had to admit him to a nursing home. Jim spent the last years of his life in the St. Paul's Lutheran Home in Melville, Saskatchewan. Although Alzheimer's took it's toll on Jim's physicality and even his short-term memory, Jim always recognized his daughter when she would visit him and even when he could no longer verbally speak, he still managed to communicate with her through body language, hand and eye gestures. The nurses and special care aides have commented how they were surprised that no matter how much Jim deteriorated, he always managed to recognize and communicate with his daughter, Mavis. His daughter feels blessed about this and she feels that this is because of the special loving father-daughter bond they shared. Love is eternal! Love does conquer all! Jim loved socializing and he loved music. Many of the nurses and special care aides at the nursing home have expressed to his daughter how they loved his stories and how he felt like "family" to them. Indeed, his daughter never grew old of her father's stories and has inherited his love of music. During his last days, when Jim no longer verbally spoke, music was always played for him, bringing him comfort and enjoyment. Besides his wife Christine, Jim was predeceased by his mother Pauline, and step-father Harry Falesy; and adopted parents, Leon and Mary Kozaruk. Jim leaves behind his daughter Mavis of Regina; a brother Michael (Rose) Falesy of Kitchener, ON; niece: Barbara (Fred) Stein; nephews, Kevin (Janie) Falesy, and Michael Jr. (Rosa) Falesy; six great nieces and nephews: Brett & Matthias Stein; Mya & Joel Falesy, and Alexander & Nicolas Falesy. Jim passed away peacefully, with his daughter by his side, on Sunday March 6th at 6:45 a.m. His daughter was blessed to have been with him when he started his journey to our Lord. A man of integrity, compassion, and strong Christian faith; Jim will be missed, never forgotten, and always loved. Prayer services were held on Sunday evening, March 13, 2011 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre. The funeral service was held on Monday morning, March 14, 2011 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Very Rev. Father Mel Slashinsky officiating. Cantor, William Kozey, assisted by members of the Parish Choir led in the singing of the responses. The crossbearer was George Flunder. Honorary bearers were Jim Fushtey, Steve Naherniak, Jim Danelko, Danny Boehm, Nick Antony and Lorne Kozaruk. Jim Eftoda was the palamar. The interment followed in the Garden of Crucifixion with Joe & Bill Glute, Don Shuparsky, Myron Rubletz, and Wayne & Edwin Antony serving as the casketbearers. At the memorial luncheon following the burial, family friend Kim Freiheit read two poems; Jim's daughter Mavis gave a tribute to her dad and offered thanks to the people in attendance; and Jim's brother Michael also offered a thank you. A video tribute by family friend Brett Warner was played before the prayers and at the memorial luncheon. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Monday, March 14th, 2011 10:00am, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens