John Pantiuk

John was born on January 1st, 1924 on the family farm to Wasyl and Mary Pantiuk, the eldest of six children. In July 1931, at the age of 7, he began attending Brookview School. He attended the one room school until 1939.

     In the winter of 1940, John began working in a bush camp at Cormorant Lake, north of The Pas, Manitoba. He started out as a cook and water hauler. In the summer months he returned home to work on the farm.

     In 1941 John was employed by The Pas Lumber Company at Reserve doing bush work. He continued to work with them for several winters. During the summer months he worked for the RM of Preeceville on road construction and one summer during the war, John headed out east to Port Arthur, Ontario to work at a terminal elevator.

     In 1950 John became involved in a partnership at the Texaco Service Station and M.M. Machinery Dealer with John Zaharia. This was known as “Johnny’s Service”. While working at the business, John was known to frequent the “Golden Leaf Café” which was right across the street. This is where he first met Irene, who was a waitress there.

     In the summer, while relaxing and enjoying a day of fishing at Nelson Lake, two gentlemen in suits got his attention and called him onto shore. They were two prominent businessmen from B.A. Oil Company. They proposed a business venture that John start his own business on the corner of Highway 47 & 49 (currently Midtown Service). He took on their offer and embarked on this new business venture. He brought in his equipment and got right to work with the help of many friends, clearing the bush and hauling in rock and dirt to fill the lot and start construction on the new building. In the spring of 1957, he then sold off his interest in the Texaco business downtown and in the fall opened “Hillside Service” & “Butler & Pantiuk B. A. Bulk Gas & Oil Station”, with his partner, Stu Butler. John always talked about how he pumped his very first gallon of gas at Hillside Service during the 1st game of the World Series in 1957.

     John also operated a car dealership at Hillside, with American Motors of Canada Ltd, selling cars and Jeep trucks, and later also selling Sno Jet Skidoos. During the ownership of his business, John and Irene enjoyed many company trips. They enjoyed travelling to San Diego, Disneyland, Bermuda and Tiajuana, Mexico.

     In 1960, John joined his brothers, Fred and George in a land clearing and road construction business known as “Pantiuk Bros” which they continued to operate until the 1980s. John purchased two D7 cats, which he used to clear many quarters of land and was also hired to help with fighting fires. His brothers also grain farmed and John helped Fred and George with that as well.

On August 11, 1961, John married his sweetheart, Irene Chornomitz. They worked hard and enjoyed 54 years of marriage. They were blessed with three children.

     In the spring of 1976, after 19 years in business, John sold “Hillside Service and Gulf Bulk Plant” and purchased three acres of land on the west end of Preeceville, which became known to everyone as “Green Acres”. He built a two bay garage and enjoyed being semi-retired while working on small engines and doing welding jobs. Everybody knew that John was the only guy around who could weld white metal. He made many great friendships at his shop and it became a place where “the boys” would gather to visit. John was known to be able to fix anything and everything. His motto….”If Johnny couldn’t fix it, it was never broken.” John spent many, many hours at Green Acres, working in the shop, sometimes till 3:00 in the morning.

     John and Irene planted and harvested many beautiful gardens at Green Acres, year after year. Their love for gardening was passed down to Tammy and now to Lexi, who continue to carry on the tradition of a huge cucumber and potato patch at Green Acres.

     John loved the outdoors. He enjoyed camping trips with his family but his favorite past-time was fishing, whether it was in the summer or ice fishing in the winter. He never turned down a chance to go. His children remember month long camping trips in the summer to Waskesiu, Emma Lake and Manitou Beach. He also enjoyed picking berries and mushrooms, going for drives with Irene, relaxing with a Pepsi in the backyard while laying in the sun listening to his little radio, coffee at the local café with the boys, watching sports on TV, Saturday night date night playing radio bingo with his girls & then listening to the Saturday Night Get-together, but mostly spending time with family and visiting with friends. He also had a special bond with Maecie Mae, his little puppy. John enjoyed the simple things in life. He never ever complained and always worked hard and took nothing for granted. We are going to miss our “Johnny Boy” but we will cherish all the memories we made and all the time that we spent with him.

     John was predeceased by his wife, Irene; brothers, Fred and George; sisters, Dora Mastrachuk and Anne Petryshyn and great-grandson, Jarod.

     John is survived by his children, Judy (Walter) and their children, Jennifer (Trevor), Angela and Jonathan; Donnie (Jo-Ann), Tammy (Ryan) and their daughter, Lexi; great-grandchildren, Abel, Axel, Arielle, Liam and Ryder; sister, Rose (Mike) Badduke; brother-in-law, Alex Mastrachuk; sister-in-law, Vicky Chornomitz, as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.