Obituary of Wayne Unyi

The family of Wayne Unyi of Yorkton, beloved husband of Maryann Unyi sadly announce his passing on Monday, November 20, 2023. Wayne was 70 years of age.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023 at 2:00p.m. from Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Crystal Bailey, Certified Celebrant officiating.

Click Here for Live Stream beginning at 1:45p.m.

Memorials in memory of Wayne Unyi may be made to Yorkton Minor Baseball or to St. Alphonsus School - New Playground Fund as gifts of remembrance.

 It is with deep sadness the family of Wayne Alexander Unyi announce his passing on November 20, 2023 at the Yorkton & District Nursing Home with his family by his side.  He was 70 years of age. 

Wayne was born May 9, 1953 to Ernest and Hazel Unyi (nee Griffith). He was raised on the family farm in the Willowbrook District.  As a young boy, he worked hard on the family farm. Wayne eventually took over the farm from his parents with his brother Amos, farming together until 2017, then as his hired hand.  Wayne loved baseball from a young age and was involved with the Willowbrook Royals Baseball club for many years, usually playing first base. He always bragged how he would trick players by fouling off the first two pitches off field, shifting them over, and then pulling the ball down the first base line.  Through attending multiple sports days, he met the love of his life, the small but mighty 3^rd base woman for the Burgis Beach Lakerettes, Maryann Procyshen.  Wayne and Maryann were married May 22, 1976 and purchased their first and only home on Henderson Drive, making many memories over the years with great neighbours.  Their first born, Haley-Jo arrived in 1979, then Mackenzie in 1982.  Wayne started his 44-year career with Morris Industries as a welder in 1972.  He had various positions over the years, mainly as a supervisor.  Wayne loved his position of “supervising” (visiting all day long).  Wayne got the opportunity to travel to Australia with work, which was supposed to last for 3 months. Wayne ended up falling off an air seeder and breaking some ribs, so it was cut short. Wayne retired in 2016, after forming many life-long friendships. Wayne bragged he was the only employee to receive a 40-year ring; he wore that ring with pride until he lost it in the ocean on a family vacation in Hawaii, eventually getting it back weeks later after a man found it with a metal detector. One year, due to layoffs, Wayne took a position with crop insurance as an adjuster, which he enjoyed.

Wayne was a happy go lucky man, also joking around and telling jokes (the dirtier, the better).  Wayne was always involved in Haley-Jo and Mackenzie’s sports, rarely missing a game or tournament, and coaching their baseball teams growing up. He was looking forward to coaching his grandkids as well; he even volunteered to help coach Grayson’s team this summer after he became sick.  Wayne loved hockey as well and was a die-hard Montreal fan, even subscribing to the French channels so he could watch every game.  One day a package showed up to the front door, you could imagine Maryann’s reaction when it was a seat from the Montreal Forum.  Wayne enjoyed going to the Yorkton Terrier hockey games, standing in Section L for many many years.  Wayne was also a volunteer for Citizen’s on Patrol for many years and enjoyed driving around the city. Wayne did not need much, he was content and happy simply being around people. He spent many late nights enjoying Mackenzie’s after-parties and cabarets, always offering to help sell tickets or drive people home.    

After his retirement, Wayne enjoyed many hours at coffee row keeping up with the latest news and probably making stuff up along the way.  He started “helping” Maryann with the daycare kids, feeding them his stash of treats downstairs and letting them do whatever they wanted.  Wayne enjoyed family gatherings and loved playing troika.  Since Grayson was born, Papa instilled farming in his brain and was overjoyed of how much Grayson loved going out with him and helping out.  Grayson’s favorite memory is when he was about 4 years old, they were out burning stubble, and Papa let him start all the fires.  Wayne enjoyed collecting hockey cards; there was not many rookie cards or sets he did not own.  He thoroughly enjoyed collecting the Tim Horton’s set the last few years with Grayson.  They would spend hours opening and sorting cards together.  You could hear him say so many times, “don’t bend the corners”.  Wayne was lucky enough to see his grandkids almost everyday.  He would let Payton do his hair and be her “student”, he was even caught singing in her “music class.” Trips to the farm to visit the kitties and go for quad rides were loved by Hogan and Hayes. Second only to being fed cheese balls in the basement without Baba knowing. Wayne would take all four grandchildren for walks around the neighbourhood, picking up the mail and taking raspberries from Earl’s house to eat along the way. He was not only their Papa, but also their best friend.

Wayne was predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Hazel, his in laws, Metro and Victoria Procyshen, and his sister-in-laws, Sheryl Unyi, and Debbie Garry.  He leaves to mourn his wife of 47 years, Maryann, his daughter Haley-Jo (Nicole) grandson Grayson and granddaughter Payton, his son, Mackenzie (Margaret) grandson Hogan and granddaughter Hayes.  Sister Iris (Bill) Yaremko, nephew Jason & niece Tracy.  Brother Amos.  His brother-in-law Dale (Sharon) Procyshen, nephew Jeremy (Colette) Luke, Dominic, and Brett, nephew Elliott (Rikia) Adley and Davis, niece Alara (Kirby) Zander Haveroen.  Brother-in-law Steven (Kim) Procyshen, nephew Matthew (Lain).  Brother-in-law Kelly Procyshen.  Sister-in-law Sherry (Woody) Slusarchuk, niece Shae-Lyn (Ian) and niece Reilee (Kholton). 

The urn bearers are Wayne’s grandchildren; Grayson, Payton, Hogan, and Hayes.

Wayne’s family would like to thank Dr. Van Heerden and the staff at Jowsey house for the excellent care he received the months prior to his passing.