Obituary of Geoff Rushowick
The family of Geoff Rushowick of Yorkton, beloved husband of Bonnie Rushowick, sadly announce his passing on December 5, 2025. Geoff was 77 years of age.
A Memorial Service will be held in the spring of 2026.
Memorial donations in memory of Geoff may be made to St. Andrews United Church Memorial Fund by e-transfer at standrewsyk@sasktel.net or by credit card on St. Andrew's Website https://standrewsyorkton.ca/donations-pages/onlinedonations/ , Salvation Army or Soldier On Program as gifts of remembrance.
Geoffrey Stephen Rushowick
Geoffrey Stephen Rushowick (aka Geoff) was born in Eriksdale Manitoba on December 4, 1948 to Violet Maude (Holden, 1922-1993) and Stephen Rushowick (1915-2008). Geoff was an only child. His mother was a War Bride who met Stephen when he served in the Canadian Armed Forces in England during WWII and followed him back to Canada. The family lived briefly on a farm near Chatfield Manitoba before moving to Winnipeg when Geoff was 2. Geoff attended elementary and secondary school in Winnipeg finishing his grade 11 and 12 at United College. He attended University of Winnipeg and obtained his BA in archeology in 1971. In 1971 he enrolled in Honours BA at the University of Saskatchewan where he met the love of his life Bonnie Marie (nee Cooper) who was completing her degree in the College of Nursing. They were married November 17,1973 and had three children- James Geoffrey, Patrick Andrew (1984-2013) and Tessa Marie.
Geoff completed his Bachelor of Education in 1974 at the University of Saskatchewan. He said he chose teaching after a discussion with Bonnie’s father who “urged” him to get a real job once the engagement was announced. Geoff began in his first teaching position in Sonningdale, SK. He had the enjoyment of living in a teacherage with an oil heater, a chemical toilet and no running water. It was a challenge he met while enjoying teaching grade 10-12. Bonnie graduated in 1975 and the couple moved to Leaf Rapids, Manitoba where Geoff taught grade 2 and Bonnie worked in the health centre. The couple returned to Saskatoon in 1977 where Geoff entered the Special Education program in the College of Education. He graduated in 1978 and the couple moved to Ituna, Saskatchewan where Geoff taught resource room and Bonnie worked in local rural hospitals.
They moved to Yorkton in 1982 upon the birth of their son James. Geoff worked as an Itinerant Teacher for the Hearing Impaired for 4 years. He travelled around the Yorkton area north to Sturgis, south to Tantallon and east to Theodore and Ituna then moved on to teach with the Yorkton Public School Division. He taught resource room in a number of schools in the city including Columbia, Dr. Brass , C.J. Houston and Lions School. His competed his career teaching alternative education in the Yorkton Regional High School and retiring in 2004 after 30 years as an educator.
Geoff had many things he loved to do over the years. He loved duck hunting in his younger years and could be found out in the ponds and sloughs in the fall. He was an avid reader of history focusing on Canadian and British military and collected British militaria, books and medals. He collected comic books and memorabilia related to his favourite characters. He and Bonnie travelled to Britain a number of times to visit family on his mother’s side. As the children grew Geoff wore many hats including coaching youth soccer, volunteering as a leader for Beavers and Cub Scouts. He became a Civilian Instructor with the 2834 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corp mentoring many young cadets over many years. He coached senior boys’ soccer at the Yorkton Regional High School and enjoyed working with the students immensely. The family purchased a cabin in Riding Mountain National Park Manitoba in 1992 where they enjoyed many summer adventures including meeting adolescent bears just outside the cabin. In 2003 the family enjoyed the school winter break in Las Vegas, the last time the family had a vacation together before Patrick graduated grade 12.
Following retirement Geoff took up bowling and joined three leagues and enjoyed the camaraderie of the people he met there. Geoff joined the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 77 and assisted with the annual Poppy Campaigns and Remembrance Day services. His interest in collecting British militaria continued and he revived his love of model railways expanding into collecting HO models and researching the history of Canadian and North American railroads.
The death of their son Captain Patrick Rushowick, Canadian Armed Forces, in 2013 deeply affected Geoff. It impacted his health a great deal. Geoff passed away peacefully in the Intensive Care Unit of the Yorkton Regional Health Centre on Friday, December 5, 2025 with wife Bonnie and son James at his side. He will be remembered as a man with a sense of humour, of honour and a deep devotion to his family and friends. He will be missed.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey’s Funeral and Cremation Care.
