Paul Strelezki

Mr. Paul Strelezki, beloved husband of the late Grace Strelezki, of Dorintosh and formerly of the Usherville District, passed away on Sunday, October 29. He was 88 years of age. Paul Strelezki was born to Peter and Anne (Chornomitz) in the Hazel Dell District on June 23, 1935, however, the date on his birth certificate stated, June 26, 1935. Paul grew up in the Usherville District, where he learned to brew, farm, log, trap and hunt with his father and brothers.

In 1960, Paul fell in love at first sight with Grace Jean Wardle. Paul and Grace were married on September 22, 1962, at the Anglican Church in Endeavour, SK. Paul and Grace started their married life in Usherville. In 1963, they decided that it was time to start their family. With Grace by his side, Paul farmed for awhile, then he started a logging and sawmill business which took him to various corners of Saskatchewan. He logged and operated the sawmill at Reserve, SK, Cowan Lake, SK (Big River), Waterhen, SK, Flotten Lake, SK, and finally in Dorintosh, SK, where the sawmill still stands on his son’s property.

While Paul’s primary love was for Grace and their family, he had many other loves. Paul loved to hunt and fish. He was at home in the bush and could find his way in any forest. There were many times that he had to find lost hunters, two of which he found in the dark of night.

Paul loved to hunt elk. He thrived on the challenge of shooting the big bulls in the wild and not on the farmland. He has two non-typical elk records in the Henry Kelsey Record Book.

Paul loved his Caterpillar Cats. At one time he was travelling around buying D2s and his knowledge of Caterpillar machines was amazing. Paul worked construction for Public Works and he fought many forest fires with his D6 Cat. He and one other fellow were trapped in the 1961 Fire in the Usherville District. 

Paul loved gardening and quadding with the love of his life, Grace. In the past 10 years, this is how Paul and Grace spent their time together as their health declined. They found so much comfort in each other’s company.

Paul cared for Grace for as long as he was able. It broke his heart when Grace had to go into long-term care.

Paul always found peace with God and he trusted God to guide him.

Paul is pre-deceased by his parents, Peter and Anne (Chornomitz) Strelezki; grandparents, Jakob and Polly Strelezki, and John and Eva Chornomitz; his in-laws, John and Rose Wardle; brothers, John Strelezki, William Strelezki, Olie Strelezki, Tony Strelezki, Alfred Strelezki; sister, Lena Shewchuk; and infinite number of sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts and cousins.

Paul will lovingly be remembered by his daughters, Roseann Strelezki, Lorraine (Chris) Bokota, Amy (Corey) Greene, and Shelly (Gordon) Southward; sons, Mark (Sandra) Strelezki and Rick Strelezki; grandchildren, Brandon Greene, Brittany Mazur, Tyson Strelezki, Paige Ritchie, Madison Strelezki, Caige Southward, Spencer Strelezki, Jaysa Strelezki, and Macy Strelezki; great-grandchildren, Scarlett Greene, Jacob Greene, Paul Greene, Lily Mazur, Jakob Strelezki and Emslie Strelezki; siblings, Polly (Willy) Perepeletz, Mary Fialkowski, Mike Strelezki, Steve (Sally) Strelezki, Elsie Perepeletz, Jack (Merle) Strelezki, Alice Wiwcharuk; his large externed family, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral Services were held on Friday, November 3, 2023, from Trinity United Church in Preeceville, with Rev. Fr. Michael Faryna of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada officiating. A tribute and words of remembrance was given by Joe Twidale. Interment followed in the Saint John’s Orthodox Cemetery with Barry Strelezki, serving as Cross Bearer and Ricky Strelezki, Brandon Greene, Mark Strelezki, Spencer Strelezki, Tyson Strelezki and Caige Southward serving as Casket Bearers. Honourary Casket Bearers were Paul’s remaining siblings, Polly Perepeletz, Mary Fialkowski, Mike Strelezki, Steve Strelezki, Elsie Perepeletz, Jack Strelezki and Alice Wiwcharuk. Memorials in memory of Paul may be made to Saint John’s Orthodox Cemetery as gifts of remembrance.  Arrangements were entrusted to Preeceville Funeral Home.