Sam SHEWCHUK

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SHEWCHUK: After 93 years of life, Sam Shewchuk was called to heaven on June 15, 2013. His presence will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Born March 26, 1920 at his farm home in Ozerna, Manitoba, which is north of Minnedosa, Sam was the 7th of 13 children. His parents were the late Peter and Annie (Lyschynska) Shewchuk. He spent his childhood years on the farm and attended Fraser School. Sam was very bright in school. He completed grade eight at Fraser School, then grade nine by correspondence. He started grade ten at Teulon, Manitoba. In 1941, which was during World War II, Sam joined the Canadian Army and served his country until 1945. While in the army, Sam got on the “big screen”. He got bit parts in two movies, Son of Lassie and Commandoes Strike at Dawn. After getting home from overseas, his mother told him that it was “time that he got married”. He met Florence Boyko from the Mountain Road area, near Erickson, Manitoba. They got married in Winnipeg February 8, 1947. Sam and Florence farmed in the Ozerna area, across the road from where Sam grew up. Ten years later, they had a daughter, Laurie. They were active members of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church (Ozerna Church). Sam was a trustee for the Fraser School District for four years and the secretary for eight years. He was on the Board of Directors for the Erickson Co-op for four years and the Director of the Farmers Union for five years. In 1982, they became “city folk” and retired to Brandon, Manitoba, where they have lived ever since. Sam and Florence did some travelling after their retirement. They toured Europe, the Maritimes and went on a Caribbean cruise. After retiring in Brandon, Sam worked for the West End Community Centre, primarily as ice-maker and he worked as a driver for the Winnipeg Free Press. Sam and Florence were active members of the St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Brandon. Sam was president of the Men’s Club for their church. He was also the pitcher for the Brandon Bears Slow Pitch team, and even as a senior, ran around the bases like a deer. He also golfed, bowled and curled. Sam enjoyed carpentry. He made many items of furniture for Laurie and for his granddaughters that will be cherished for generations. Besides his wife Florence, daughter Laurie (Art Smith), and granddaughters Stephanie, Alyssa and Lindsay, he is also survived by his sister Helen Lugowy, and brothers Paul Shewchuk and Walter Shewchuk. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his siblings, Mike (Teklia) Shewchuk, Emily (Frank) Usick, Mary (Steve) Ewasko, Neil (Eva) Shewchuk, Berny (Mary) Shewchuk, Steve (Jean who is still living) Shewchuk, Murphy (Julia) Shewchuk, Elizabeth (Steve) Zatylny, Stanley (Shirley) Sawchuk. Prayers will be said at Memories Chapel, 330 18th Street North, on Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 7:00 pm. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 927 Assiniboine Ave, Brandon, MB, at 10:00 a.m. on Friday June 21.Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Michael Tkachuk. Cantor will be Stella Fedeniuk. Interment will be in the Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Don Kostiw, Ed Zatyny, Wayne Zatylny, Lance Brown, Gary Shewchuk and Ralph Meiners. The cross bearer will be Valerie Meiners. Honorary pallbearers will be everyone in attendance. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sam’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice. We will always love you. You are forever in our hearts. Vichnaya Pamyat (Eternal Memory).Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com.Arrangements withMemories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 204-727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 18, 2013