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. Oral history tells us that through his mother, Sam was related to Stanislav Leszczynski, who was the King of Poland. Sam’s mother and father both emigrated from Ukraine. Annie had been orphaned and was being raised by her sister. She emigrated to Canada in her teens, much to the dismay of her sisters. She met Peter when in Canada.

His father passed away January 24, 1932, leaving his mother Annie a widow to raise their large family on a farm during the Great Depression. Stanley, the youngest child, was only seven months old. Sam helped his mother out in many ways, not only on the farm, but also with household tasks, even learning how to knit.

He spent his childhood years on the farm and attended Fraser School, a one-room school in the area. He was very bright in school. He completed grade eight at Fraser School, then grade nine by correspondence. He started grade ten at Teulon, Manitoba, but had to drop out because his mother could not afford the fees.

In 1941, which was during World War II, Sam joined the Canadian Army and served his country until 1945. He joined the army later than other young men, because he was needed to help his widowed mother on the farm, but eventually he had to go. He was stationed in Portage la Prairie, then Winnipeg, then Victoria, and then was sent overseas. He was trained in the operation of the larger guns, but by the time he was sent overseas, the war was over. We are all very grateful for that, because had he gone to the front line, he may not have survived! However, he spent an extra year overseas processing paperwork to send other soldiers home. He learned how to type and run other office machines. His brothers Neil, Steve and Murphy were also in WW II. They accidentally met up in London, England. They all happened to be at the Paddington Ukrainian hostel at the same time. While in the army, Sam was on a tug of war team. They won a few trophies. Although he became very thin in his later years, he was a robust 220 pounds when he was a soldier!

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, in a big blizzard! It was Florence’s first time in Winnipeg. Sam considered joining the police force after the war was over, but his mother needed him on the farm, and so without hesitation, he went back to the farm and made that his vocation. 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.

While living in Brandon, he was able to help guide his granddaughters into the beautiful young women that they are today. Stephanie Doerksen was born in 1987, Alyssa Doerksen was born in 1991 and Lindsay Doerksen was born in 1993. He was a terrific grandpa to those girls. He built them dressers and cedar chests. He gave them many rides to and from school. He loved to play cards with them. Beggar your Neighbour was his favourite card game to play with them.

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 Ukrainian Reading Hall 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.

Sam was able to live in their house until he was 92 years old, when he was hospitalized for pneumonia. After recovering from pneumonia, he was too weak to be able to manage at home, and so he was lovingly cared for by the staff at Hillcrest Personal Care Home. Thank you to all the medical staff who cared for him, including Dr. Seitz, Dr. Bookatz and Dr. Large as well as the nurses and other staff who gave him such good care at Brandon Regional Health Centre and at Hillcrest Personal Care Home.

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 pre-deceased by his siblings, Mike (Teklia) Shewchuk, Emily (Frank) Usick, Mary (William) Ewasko, Neil (Eva) Shewchuk, Berny (Mary) Shewchuk, Steve (Jean who is still living) Shewchuk, Murphy (Julia) Shewchuk, Elizabeth (Steve) Zatylny, Stanley (Shirley) Sawchuk.

Prayers were said at Memories Chapel on Thursday, June 20, 2013. Divine Liturgy was celebrated at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church on Friday June 21.Celebrant was Rev. Fr. Michael Tkachuk. Cantor was Stella Fedeniuk. Interment followed at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were Don Kostiw, Ed Zatylny, Wayne Zatylny, Arthur Ewasko, Gary Shewchuk and Ralph Meiners. The cross bearer was Valerie Meiners. Honorary pallbearers were 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).