Obituary of John Gromnisky

GROMNISKY - Mr. John Gromnisky, beloved husband of Stella of Yorkton, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at his home in Yorkton. He was 91 years of age. John Gromnisky was born on September 27, 1916 to Steve and Marie (Yacyshyn) Gromnisky of the Woodlight district, north of Sturgis, Saskatchewan. He was the third of ten children. John spent his younger days working on farms in the area. When World War II broke out he spent some time in the armed forces where he was stationed in Victoria. John married Stella Romanow on October 22, 1949. Soon afterwards they moved to Ormside where Stella taught school and John farmed and worked in the local lumber operations during the winter. In 1955 John and Stella moved to Hyas. John continued farming, spent some time as RM Councillor as well as being Mayor of Hyas from 1967 - 69. It was in Hyas that John took up the game of curling which he enjoyed very much. Being handy with a saw and hammer he found himself doing a bit of carpentry during his spare time. John and Stella took up residence in Yorkton in 1977. Travel to the farm became further so he sold the land to his nephew Gerald Gromnisky. John couldn't just sit around so he soon found himself working for Beaver Lumber and later Marchinski Lumber until he retired. They continued to live in their home in Yorkton where John enjoyed doing yard work, helping Stella with the greenhouse and gardening. John took great pride in setting up outdoor Christmas lights and decorations, the Gromnisky house at Christmas time was always a car stopper. John gave up the curling rock for a bowling ball, a sport he liked and excelled in, winning several awards. John also enjoyed playing canasta and having coffee with his many friends. John spent many days at their cabin at Good Spirit Lake, which he and Stella had built themselves. Many a 'serious' horseshoe game took place there. John's favorite holiday was the tour of Alaska they took in the summer of 1987. He was predeceased by his father Steve in 1971, his mother Marie in 1996, his brothers: Tony in 1944, Allan in 1997, Mike in 2006 and Laddie in infancy. John will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Stella; sisters: Lyla Smetanuik of Vancouver, Elsie Gordon of Vancouver, Isabel (Bill) Monea of Edmonton, Ann Sopel of Sturgis, Mary Guzik of Calgary, and Evelyn Davidson of Powell River BC; numerous nieces, nephews and his many other relatives and friends. A service of comfort was held on Monday evening, March 24, 2008 at Westview United Church in Yorkton. The funeral service was held on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 from Westview United Church with Faye Greer officiating. Organist, Shani Apland led members of the the Church Choir and the congregation in the singing of the hymns How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace, and Lord of the Dance. The recessional hymn We Shall Go Out With Hope of Resurrection was sung by the choir. The interment took place in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Elgin and Gerald Gromnisky, Aaron Chicilo, Jerrett and Colin Romanow and Dwayne Usselman serving as the casketbearers. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Friday, March 28th, 2008 11:00am, Westview United Church Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens