Obituary of Richard 'Rick' Yaholnitsky

Richard Shayne Yaholnitsky was born January 11, 1956 and was raised in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. He received his early education at St. Alphonsus Elementary School and St. Joseph's College. Richard's faith was very important to him from a young age and continued to be so throughout his life. He attended Mass regularly at St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church where he participated as an altar server. After graduation Richard attended Luther College in Regina and enrolled at the University of Regina for pre-med. He received a Bachelor of Science but realized medicine wasn't the path intended for him and enrolled in the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan. During this time, he continued his vocation as an altar server at St. Gerard's when visiting Yorkton. After receiving his law degree, he moved back to Yorkton where he started his law career, married, and had three children: Erica, Alexander and Hilary. He worked at Kyba Law Office, Taylor/Yaholnitsky Law Office, and Merchant Law Group before joining Legal Aid, where he worked for approximately ten years. Upon returning to Yorkton, Richard remained very active within the church. He was part of the RCIA team, generally leading one session a month. This almost immediately grew into a lay ministry invitation. Richard, along with two other lay presiders, led services when the Priests were away, including lay services in Theodore and funeral prayers. He also provided prayer and Eucharist ministries to the sick and shut ins. Richard's children also attended church with him on a regular basis and would sometimes accompany him on his ministries. In 2015 Richard began his courtship with Mary Marton. They moved to Regina in 2017 where he continued to work for Legal Aid until his declining health prevented it. Richard passed away on May 26, 2019 with Mary, Alex, and Hilary at his bedside. He will be deeply missed. His love will forever be in our hearts and minds. Richard is predeceased by his parents, Dr. Richard and Grace (Dewar) Yaholnitsky. He is lovingly remembered by: his partner Mary Marton of Regina; his children Erica (James Harwood) of Calgary, Alex of Saskatoon, Hilary of Saskatoon, their mother Donna Taylor of Yorkton; Mary's children Adam (Amy, children Chase, Elizabeth and Nixon) of Lumby, BC, and Lucas (Hannah) of Calgary; his dog Jack; his siblings Sandra Yaholnitsky-Smith of Regina Beach, Shari (Fred) Beer of Regina Beach, Barry (Val) of Yorkton, and Kim (Lori) of Saskatoon; nieces and nephews James, Anjelica, Samantha, and Samuel; as well as numerous extended family and friends. The Prayer Vigil was held Friday, May 31, 2019 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Mary Bybliw officiating. The reading was given by Alex Yaholnitsky. The Funeral mass was held on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Louis Kim Nguyen as the celebrant. The cross bearer was Carmella Molnar. Pianist Sandra Archer, with accompanist Scott Hoffort led members of the St. Gerard's choir in the singing of the hymns. The readers were Erica and Hilary Yaholnitsky. The gift bearers were Erica, Alex and Hilary Yaholnitsky. The urn bearer was Larry Freiheit. Interment is to take place at a later date. Richard 'Rick' Yaholnitsky of Regina and formerly of Yorkton, beloved partner of Mary Marton, and father of Erica, Alex and Hilary, passed away on May 26, 2019. The Prayer Service will be held on Friday, May 31, 2019 at 7:00 p.m from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre. The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 11:00 a.m from St. Gerards's Roman Catholic Church with Father Louis Kim Nguyen officiating. Memorial donations in memory of Richard may be made to the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan as tokens of remembrance. Service Details. Prayer Service When: Friday, May 31st, 2019 7:00pm Location: Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Address: Highway #10 East YORKTON, SK Service When: Saturday, June 1st, 2019 11:00am Location: St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church Address: 125 Third Ave. N. YORKTON, SK S3N 1C4