Obituary of Donald Olynyk

OLYNYK - It is with great sadness that the Olynyk family announces the death of Dmetro Peter Donald Olynyk on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. Donald was born on March 1, 1949 in Canora - the youngest of seven children born to Peter and Maria (nee Dranchuk) Olynyk. He attended grade school in Hyas, where he grew up, and attended high school in Sturgis. In 1976, while managing Revelstoke Lumber in Birch Hills, he met the love of his life Christine Phillips. They were married in Birch Hills on November 18, 1978, beginning their life of 32 wonderful years together. Their marriage was blessed by the arrival of their eldest daughter Katherine, followed by their son Peter, and if that wasn't enough, the arrival of twin girls Karen and Stacey. Donald was a family man. He would take the shirt off his back if you needed it and would do anything he could to help any family member or friend. He was a loving, caring and patient man, father and husband. Donald was involved in various community organizations during his life, including the Kinsmen and the Lions Club. Donald's career carried him many places across the prairies - Ponteix, SK; Thompson, MB; Portage La Prairie and Bjorkdale - before settling down in Yorkton. Donald's abilities were far and wide-ranging. He excelled at woodworking, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, upholstery, mechanics, cooking, horticulture, wine making, artistry, and any other hobby or project he pursued. Don was very close with nature and extremely fond of animals. His greatest passion was music. He sang and played guitar, violin and the organ, taking great pride and joy in sharing this love with his family. Donald is survived by his loving wife Christine; his four children, Katherine (Robert) Fedun of Coronach, Peter of Saskatoon, Karen and Stacey both of Victoria, BC; his two brothers, Nestor of Hyas, and Modiste (Rose) of Winnipeg, MB; his four sisters, Sonnia Grywacheski of Norquay, Alice (Mike) Polowich of Brakendale, BC, Ruth (Lorne) Cherneski of Regina, and Marie Hladun of Saskatoon; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Donald is predeceased by his mother and father Maria and Peter; and brother-in-law Alphonse Grywacheski. The funeral service was held on Saturday, February 26, 2011 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Faye Greer of Westview United Church officiating. Tributes to Donald were given by Betty Fritzke, Patrick Cherneski, Donna Olynyk, and his son Peter. Organist, Kathleen Gibson, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns 'Just A Closer Walk With Thee', and 'In the Garden'. The interment followed in the Garden of St. Mark with Peter Olynyk, Robert Fedun, Patrick Cherneski, Derek Cherneski, Michael Olynyk and Chuch Acton serving as the casketbearers. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Saturday, February 26th, 2011, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens