Obituary of Orest Mandziak

MANDZIAK - Orest Mandziak of the Jasmin district died at the All Nations Hospital in Fort Qu'Appelle on Wednesday January 7, 2009 of a massive heart attack. He was 65 years of age. Orest Eugene Mandziak was born on May 8, 1943; the youngest child of Nicholas and Theodoria (nee Wenc) Mandziak in the Beckenham area north of Ituna, Sask. In 1947 he along with his parents, brothers and sisters moved to farm north of Jasmin. It was here that Orest received his education and began his lifetime career in farming. Orest loved farming and John Deere equipment and there was not a happier person than Uncle Orest going up and down the fields in that green combine. Orest was known not to have a mean bone in his body; be it with humans or animals. He especially loved children: all of his nieces, nephews, great and now great - great nieces and nephews all held a special place in his heart. There was many a chocolate bar, ice cream treat, pop, chips and how can we ever forget that pink popcorn with the prize inside; the popcorn was soon abandoned when the prize was dug out. He was known to all of us as Uncle Orest except Kyla, who for reasons only a little girl has, called him "Berber" to which Orest always responded with a smile. Orest's love and care of children led him to one of his favorite jobs of driving the school bus for many years. He formed many lasting friendships, and to this date he would receive graduation and wedding invitations from former bus students. Other jobs he held were building construction, Regina Sash and Door and Sears Warehouse. In recent years Orest worked at highway construction throughout Sask. and Man. In 2008 Orest sold a quarter of land to his nephew Bryce and purchased his retirement home in Kelliher. He was looking forward to moving to a newer home and living a life of leisure. Uncle Orest had an abundance of patience to tinker. He would spend hours fixing some little thing just to prove to his less patient brothers that it could be done. He also had a remarkable memory. When something from the shop went astray and could not seem to be found, someone would say "Hey Orest do you know where....?" Orest would lean on anything in the vicinity, go into thinking mode, walk across the yard, shop or the garage and return with the lost item. Orest loved to watch hockey, curling and anything that his family participated in. He used to get very upset when nephews Shaun and Kelly were playing in net and some of the calls were not to his liking. He loved to dance to good snappy Ukrainian music. He also loved chrome. The more chrome a vehicle had the more polishing it got. He was the owner of many cars and trucks in his short lifetime. He enjoyed the sound and stress of lights, bells and whistles. He also loved his perogies and cabbage rolls; no one was happier than Orest when one of his sisters sent him home with a bag of perogies. Coffee row was also to his fancy and there were many who were treated to a coffee on Orest. Orest was a caregiver. He looked after his mother in her later years and looked in on his sister Mary when she got older. He visited his other siblings on a regular basis either in person or by phone. He will be greatly missed by brothers: Nick (Peggy), Harry (Pat); sisters: Sophie (Peter) Yanko, Pauline (Steve) Hrynuik, Anne Feszczyn, Natalie Lilley; brother - in - law Marvin Stusick; 27 nieces, and nephews, 55 great nieces and nephews and at last count 11 great great nieces and nephews. Waiting to meet him will be his parents Nicholas and Theodoria; siblings: John, Fred, Anna, Peter, Nestor, Rose Antonishyn, Kay Buczulak, Eva Stusick, Mary Kohut; brothers - in - law: Walter Antonishyn, Mike Feszczyn, Paul Buczulak, Metro Kohut, Louis Lilley as well as three nieces: Rose Marie, Debbie and Karen. Prayer Services were held on Friday, January 9, 2009 from St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Kelliher. Requiem Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Saturday, January 10, 2009 from St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Kelliher with Very Reverend Father Boris Kyba, C.Ss.R. as the Celebrant. Niece, Terelyne Vadeboncoeur was the epistle reader. Responses were led by Wayne Boczulak, Ladmer Moskal and Heidi Splichuk with members of the parish choir. Great nephew, Morgan Mandziak served as the cross bearer. Interment followed in the Jasmin Catholic Cemetery with Orest's nephews, Bryce Mandziak, Trevor Mandziak, Kelly Mandziak, Wayne Antonishyn, Chris Feszczyn and Dennis Yanko serving as the casket bearers. A memorial luncheon followed and nephews Bryce and Trevor Mandziak gave tributes, words of remembrance and appreciation on behalf of the family. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home, Ituna. Service Information Saturday, January 10th, 2009 10:00am, St. Vladimir's Church Interment Details