Bill Melnychuk

MELNYCHUK - Bill Melnychuk of the Preeceville district passed away peacefully on November 15, 2019 at the Wynyard Hospital with family by his side.

   Bill was born to Klym and Katherine (Nee Kotyk) Melnychuk on October 12, 1931 in the Olesha District.  He was the 6th of 13 children.  Bill went to Hryhoriw School in his younger years and later left school to work on the family farm along side his father Klym and brother Pete.  After Bill's brother Pete left to pursue work in Edmonton, Bill continued mixed farming with his father.  In 1960 Bill took ownership of the land.  Farming was very hard and challenging, but Bill always made time to go to dances and socialize with family and friends.

   Bill met the love of his life Olga Lozinski at a wedding.  They were married in June 1972.  They were blessed with a son Dennis in 1973 followed by David in 1976.  In 1988 the family suffered a considerable loss from a garage fire that destroyed numerous farm equipment and vehicles, fortunately, no lives were lost.  In 1997, Bill sold off all the cattle and rented out his land, and continued to live on the farm until October 2019.

   Bill suffered a devasting loss when his wife Olga passed away suddenly on February 21, 2000, it was a loss he would never completely recover from.

   In his later years, Bill enjoyed gardening, knew where the best spots were to pick mushrooms and hazelnuts, playing cards and socializing with family and friends.  He was also very quick to lend a helping hand to friends and neighbours with anything needed.  He also enjoyed making trips to Wynyard to spend time with his children and grandchildren. In October 2019, he decided to relocate to Wynyard for health reasons, and to be closer to his family.

   Bill was predeceased by his wife Olga, parents Klym and Katherine, mother in law Tillie and brothers, Mike, Peter and Steve.

   Bill is survived by his son Dennis and his wife Jennifer and their daughter Giada of Wynyard, son David and his children Adrian of Wynyard, and Kayla (Wyatt) of Edmonton. His sisters Stephanie Gerber of Salem Oregon, Helen Findlay of Hardisty AB, Joyce (Ted) Walsh, Sonia Melnychuk, Livia Witzke (Gordon), Jean Melnychuk all of Edmonton, Mary Gulka of Saskatoon, Betty Hrynkiw of Canora and Pauline Chopty of Preeceville.

   Bill will be remembered as a kind caring and helpful man. And will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

   Prayers were held on Friday, November 22, 2019 at the Chapel of Preeceville Funeral Home and the Funeral Liturgy on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Catholic Church in Preeceville with Very Rev. Fr. Joakim Rac as the Celebrant. The responses were led by Zita Serhan and members of the Church choir. The cross bearer was Les Yufrym and the epistle reader was Jean Melnychuk. Jennifer Melnychuk read Bill's life history. The interment followed in the Preeceville Community Cemetery with Sylvester Hrynkiw, Lonnie Yufrym, Kevin Romick, Kevin Pasiechnik, Martin Sondergaard and Conway Brodziak serving as the casket bearers. Memorials in memory of Bill may be made to the Saskatchewan Cancer Foundation as gifts of remembrance. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.preecevillefuneralhome.com

Вічная Пам'ять  -   Eternal Memory