Obituary of Wayne Antonishyn
Wayne Walter Antonishyn was born to Walter and Rose (Mandziak) on September 30, 1956. He developed his work ethic in his boyhood, working on the family farm from a young age.
After graduating grade 12 at Ituna School in 1975, Wayne moved to Regina. He completed a mechanics course at SIAST in Moose Jaw and worked at Kenroc. Wayne was a good friend to people. He had friends everywhere he went. He developed lifelong friendships from his school years and from his time in Regina. He also made new friends along the way that became like family to him.
Between 1975 and 1979, while employed at Kenroc, Wayne would have to leave his position when farming season came in order to take care of his responsibilities on the farm. Upon returning to Ituna in 1979, he worked as a mechanic at the local Massy Fergusson Dealership until 1988.
When he had returned to Ituna in 1979, he began dating Susan (Misiurski) and on November 29, 1980, they were married. Between 1980 and 1987, Wayne and Susan welcomed three daughters - Angela, Jolene and Kimberly - and then a son, Shaun.
While raising his family, Wayne farmed and worked full time as a heavy equipment operator for the RM of Ituna Bon Accord #246 from 1988 until his retirement in 2024. In this position, he maintained roads in the RM. He was an exceptional grader operator. He took pride in developing his skills and doing good work. Wayne had people calling him wishing he was still maintaining their roads after he retired. He retired from farming after harvest in 2016 and from then on, he kept a garden that brought him joy.
Along with farming and working for the RM, Wayne was a talented mechanic. He could read, interpret and apply hydraulic schematics that looked like hieroglyphics to the untrained eye. Every vehicle that left his shop was fixed. He could get anything running. One occasion, a local farmer had taken his combine everywhere to be repaired and brought it to Wayne as a last resort and Wayne said “Shaun, let’s go take a look” and Wayne got that combine running.
Over the years, Wayne enjoyed dancing at dances, playing cards, curling, doing puzzles, watching Rider games, and reading and watching westerns. Wayne also enjoyed having coffee at the coffee shop and making sausage. He loved auction sales and could tinker away for hours in his shop. He spent many hours in nature on his land. Wayne was often fixing one of his children’s cars or keeping the golf cart, quad, trike or snowmobile running for his grandchildren. He loved supporting his grandchildren by attending their activities including hockey and ringette, Ukrainian dancing, karate, and band performances.
At the time of his passing, Wayne’s family extended from his 4 children to include their spouses and 11 grandchildren totalling 21 immediate family members and a dog that was precious to him, Lucy. Wayne was very proud of his family.
Wayne was a tender-hearted, patient and honest man who will be remembered for his pleasant demeanor and his calm presence. He was open-minded and an excellent listener. He was a stable and reliable source of loving and level-headed support for many people who felt comfortable sharing their troubles with him. Wayne will be cherished and missed by many.
Wayne was predeceased by his mother Rose in 1961 and his father Walter in 2003. Wayne will forever be lovingly remembered by his children and grandchildren: Angela (Cory Charanduk) and their children Carys, Tanner and Duncan; Jolene (Chris Bolton) and their children Jagger, Juniper (Jrue) and Jasek; Kimberly (Trevor Blazeiko) and their children Zoe, Jasper and Anton; Shaun (Nicole) Antonishyn and their children Finley and Aven; his siblings: Beverly (Pat) Mills; Vivian (Norman) Martin; Diane (Claire) Braden; the mother of his children: Susan Antonishyn; his step-mother: Lillian Antonishyn; as well as aunts and uncles, and many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends.
Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey’s Funeral and Cremation Care.
