Raymond Stefanyshyn beloved husband of Stefania of the Preeceville district passed away January 22, 2017 at the Norquay Health Center at the age of eighty-five years.

     Raymond was born to Paul and Marcella (nee Nazar) Stefanyshyn on June 22, 1931 in the Chekhiv District. They grew up on the family farm. He attended Chekhiv School and walked to school which was about 3 miles away. He helped with wood cutting, milking cows, field work and threshing with the neighbors. In his twenties he went to Toronto and worked at various jobs, while staying with his sister Stella. Then his dad needed help on the farm so he came back home to help alongside his brothers. They also formed a family band and he played the accordion as well as the fiddle. They played at many weddings, which would last a couple or more days. He also joined other bands. In 1961 he met the love of his life, Stefania Kwasny, and they were married in Hazel Dell Church by Fr. Chorney. They celebrated 55 years of marriage this past October. They lived with family until they purchased some land with an older house they fixed up, a mile from the family farm. They continued mixed farming and were blessed with five children Richard, Leonard, Elizabeth, Jacqueline and Gerald. Raymond loved dancing. He and Stefania would put many miles on the highway and dance floors where they met a lot of new friends. Playing cards with the neighbors, singing with the church choir, spending time at the lake in the summer, visiting family and friends were some of the other things that brought him joy. Sunday mass was important to him and he would attend as many church praznyks as he could. He was proud of his grandchildren and would attend all their special events.

     Raymond is predeceased by his parents Paul and Marcella; two brothers in infancy Phillip and Antin; brothers William, Walter, Mike, Maurice, Steve; sisters Stella, Julia and grandson Bretton.

     Raymond leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife Stefania; sons Richard (Nicole), Leonard, Gerald (Cari Ann); daughters Elizabeth (Jean), Jacqueline (Colin); eighteen grandchildren, (Richard’s) Robert, Joseph, Victoria, Nikolas and Rebecca; (Leonard’s) Braedon, Broadon, Brighton, Brittlon, Bryson, Brezlon †Bretton, Breezon and Breelon; (Gerald’s) Jake and Eric; (Elizabeth’s) Stephana; (Jacqueline’s) Matthew and Samuel as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

     A Prayer Service was held on Thursday, January 26, 2017. Funeral Liturgy was celebrated on Friday, January 27, 2017 from Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Catholic Church in Preeceville with Very Rev. Fr. Joakim Rac with Rev. Fr. Vasyl Kravchuk concelebrating. The altar servers were Matthew Korney and Breezon Stefanyshyn. Rebecca, Breelon, Nikolas and Brezlon Stefanyshyn served as the crossbearers. The epistle reading was done by Stephana Stefanyshyn – Alonso. Tributes and words of remembrance were given by Brighton Stefanyshyn, Elizabeth Stefanyshyn - Alonso and Jean Alonso.  Interment followed in the Chekhiv Parish Cemetery with Braedon, Robert, Broadon, Joseph, Jake, Eric, Bryson and Victoria Stefanyshyn serving as the casketbearers.

ВІЧНАЯ ПАМ’ЯТЬ             ETERNAL MEMORY

     Condolences can be sent to the family at www.preecevillefuneralhome.com    Memorials in memory of Raymond may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan or to the Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Catholic Church of Preeceville.  Arrangements were entrusted to Preeceville Funeral Home.

 Service Information