Obituary of John Slywka

SLYWKA - John A. Slywka of Yorkton passed away peacefully in Yorkton, Saskatchewan on July 15, 2021 at the age of 91. He was born on January 16, 1930 in Kamsack Saskatchewan to Alex and Annie Slywka (nee Nastor). John, the 4th of 7 children, was raised on the family farm at Runnymede Saskatchewan and educated at Memorial School. John then went to work on a ranch in interior B.C. for 2 years. Upon return to Kamsack, Sask., he worked with his brother Steve as Slywka Bros. Construction. He then went to work as a salesman with Monarch Lumber in The Pas, Man. After meeting and marrying Leona (nee Paluck) he managed Monarch Lumber in Marquis near Moose Jaw in the late 1950's. After a few years, they relocated to Canora and then Yorkton. John then continued in the lumber and construction business working with Rohatensky Lumber and later with Weber Construction as an estimator/purchasing agent and was responsible for the set-up of prefab homes that were shipped to the North West Territories. Wood working and construction was always at the core of John's lifework. John struck on out on his own in the late 70's to build homes, deliver renovations, and provide trades work in the Yorkton area. His jewel was the family cabin at Good Spirit Provincial Park. John's endless love of building and renovating is truly reflected in the many versions of that building. He also built the family home he lived in the later years of his life in Yorkton. Once retired, John continued his love of wood, taking on intricate intarsia wood working. He produced 100's of individual works of art, often working late into the night on the very fine detailed work that intarsia demands. He took pride in sourcing rare and unusual woods from around the world to supply his workshop. He also did a lot of scroll saw work. These examples of John's lifework live on in the homes of customers and family around Western Canada. John loved watching sports, tinkering with tools, tending to his garden and fruit trees, and keeping his mind sharp with reading and word search puzzles. John was predeceased by wife Leona in 2017, sisters Mary, Irene and brother Bill. He is survived by his two sons, Robert of Edmonton, AB and Kevin (Lisa) and their children Arden and Riley of Sherwood Park, AB; brother, Steve Slywka (Florence) Yorkton; sisters, Nellie Wolkowski (Mike) Regina, and Vicky Ostrowercha (John) of Yorkton. John will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his family and friends. The Funeral Service was held on Friday, July 23, 2021 at Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Rev. Fr. Yevhen Zadorozhnyi C.Ss.R officiating. The responses were led by Peter & Verna Moroz. The interment took place in the Garden of Crucifixion at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Kevin Slywka, Robert Slywka, John Ostrowercha, Kerry Perepeluk, Dustin Perepeluk and Logan Coutts serving as the casket bearers. Memorials may be made in memory of John to the Charity of one's choice as gifts of remembrance. Condolences to the family can be posted at baileysfuneralhome.com