Peter Yuzik
1933-08-06 2019-09-17
YUZIK, Peter John August 6, 1933 - September 17, 2019
It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that the family of Peter John Yuzik, beloved husband, father, and Dido announce his peaceful passing on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at the age of 86. It is with respect, love, and gratitude that we honor his life.
Peter was born on the family farm near Alvena, SK on August 6, 1933. He attended grades 1-10 in Alvena. He completed his high school in Saskatoon at Bedford Road and Nutana Collegiate, then Teacher's College in 1955. During his schooling in Saskatoon, Peter lived at Mohyla Institute. It was there that he made many lifelong friends, was active in Ukrainian organizations such as President of the Kamenari, and met his future bride, Zennia. It was in later years while teaching full time, farming part time, and being a father to 5 children that Dad obtained his Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan in 1972.
Peter's first teaching assignment was in Pretty Lake, SK in 1955 to 1956. This was followed by Sniatyn School 1956 - 1957, and his hometown of Alvena 1957 - 1970, as both teacher and Principal. He taught in Cudworth School from 1970 - 1992 at which time both he and Zennia retired from teaching. Peter loved teaching and genuinely cared for his students. It made him so happy to meet up with former students and hear about their lives. Peter was not only devoted to his students' academic success, but he also loved spending time with them in extracurricular activities such as Yearbook Advisor, Hockey and Curling. Peter was Manager of the Alvena Pee Wees' when they won the League Championship as a very new team in 1969. He also coached the Cudworth boys' Curling Team to win the 1978 Saskatchewan Winter Games, and Unit Championship in 1987. These were special moments in his life that he reflected upon fondly.
Peter was very active in his church and community, serving on many organizations and committees, such as President of the Ukrainian Orthodox Wakaw-Melfort District of Churches, President of the Cudworth Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Green Grove Ukrainian Orthodox Summer Camp Board of Directors, member of the TYC/Ukrainian Self Reliance League, President of Wakaw Unit Teacher's Association, Vesna Festival Board of Directors, Vice -President of Carlton Trail Regional College, Board of Trustees for Cudworth St. Michael's Hospital, and Cudworth Nursing Home, member of the Cudworth Lions, and Counsellor of the village of Alvena, and the town of Cudworth. Peter also served as Mayor of Cudworth for 7 years.
In 1955, Peter married the love of his life Zennia Nychyk of Whitkow, Saskatchewan. They were blessed with 5 children, Darrell, Doreen, Patricia, Anna-Marie, and Dean. The Ukrainian culture was very important to Peter and he instilled a love of this culture in his children. He supported them in all their various activities, especially Ukrainian dance, and it was with great pride and joy that he also got to see his grandchildren embrace the Ukrainian culture. Peter devoted many years to Green Grove Ukrainian Orthodox Summer Camp where his children and grandchildren attended. Peter was blessed with a great-grandson last year who is also his namesake - his heart could not become fuller.
Peter loved to sing traditional Ukrainian songs. Whether it was a singsong at a wedding, a party with his children and their friends, or Christmas caroling with the family he would lend his beautiful harmonizing voice. He was a devoted member of the Ukrainian Orthodox church where he sang in the church choir, and along with Zennia frequently travelled to the country churches to canter. For the past 2 years Peter was a member of the Dibrova Ukrainian Folk Ensemble choir with whom he performed and had the opportunity to sing on the album they recorded.
Peter was a life-long learner and avid reader of history and science until the end. In his last few weeks in the hospital he still marveled at advances in science and technology and enjoyed discussing history with the nurses! In retirement he took up cooking and even won a borscht making contest at the Cudworth Senior's Centre - we called him Pete McBeet! He was in the process of collecting his favorite recipes in hopes of publishing a book and was also compiling family history, which is close to completion.
Peter loved nature and the outdoors and his favorite place to spend time was the family farm homestead where he was born. He felt most connected to the land, and farming was his passion. In his own words "farming was most enjoyable in my life. It was the space, fresh air, the harvesting of crops, and various other activities present only in rural life". This kind, generous, and humble farm boy was truly a renaissance man, and he will be missed. If you ever find yourself at the Alvena grid crossroad on Highway #41 please look to the east and remember him.
Peter is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Zennia; daughters Doreen [Myron], Patricia [Kevin], Anna-Marie; son Dean [Camille]; daughter-in-law Sheryl Yuzik; son-in-law Shaun Grinde; grandchildren Christopher, Matthew [Bailey], Daniel, Alanna, Maddy, Colby; great-grandson Pete; brothers and sisters-in-law Vera [George] Tkachyk; Roman [Elaine] Nychyk; special cousin Jean Dubyk; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and Godchildren.
Peter was predeceased by his son Darrell in 1989; father and mother Nick and Lena Yuzik; brother Elmer Yuzik; grandparents John and Annie Yuzik, and Fedir and Katarina Galas; mother-in-law and father in-law Mike and Nellie Nychyk; brother-in-law Gordon Nychyk; sisters-in-law Elsie Nychyk and Iris Yuzik; special Uncle and Aunt, Bill and Jean Yuzik; and many friends of his youth.
Prayer Service for Peter will be held on Monday, September 23, 2019 at 7:00 p.m., and the Funeral Service on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Both services will be held at All Saint's Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 2616 Louise Street, Saskatoon, SK. officiated by Very Reverend Peter Wasylenko, and Very Reverend Taras Makowsky. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery Orthodox section.
The family would like to thank Peter's family physician Dr. Van Rensburg, and the doctors, nurses, therapists, and all staff at Royal University Hospital, St. Paul's Hospital, Saskatoon City Hospital, Home Care, and Senior's First who cared for him.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Peter's name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, or Green Grove Ukrainian Orthodox Camp, or a charity of one's choice. To share memories and condolences, visit www.parkfuneral.ca "Obituaries-Guestbook".
Arrangements entrusted to Greg Lalach, Park Funeral Home 306.244.2103.
It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that the family of Peter John Yuzik, beloved husband, father, and Dido announce his peaceful passing on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at the age of 86. It is with respect, love, and gratitude that we honor his life.
Peter was born on the family farm near Alvena, SK on August 6, 1933. He attended grades 1-10 in Alvena. He completed his high school in Saskatoon at Bedford Road and Nutana Collegiate, then Teacher's College in 1955. During his schooling in Saskatoon, Peter lived at Mohyla Institute. It was there that he made many lifelong friends, was active in Ukrainian organizations such as President of the Kamenari, and met his future bride, Zennia. It was in later years while teaching full time, farming part time, and being a father to 5 children that Dad obtained his Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan in 1972.
Peter's first teaching assignment was in Pretty Lake, SK in 1955 to 1956. This was followed by Sniatyn School 1956 - 1957, and his hometown of Alvena 1957 - 1970, as both teacher and Principal. He taught in Cudworth School from 1970 - 1992 at which time both he and Zennia retired from teaching. Peter loved teaching and genuinely cared for his students. It made him so happy to meet up with former students and hear about their lives. Peter was not only devoted to his students' academic success, but he also loved spending time with them in extracurricular activities such as Yearbook Advisor, Hockey and Curling. Peter was Manager of the Alvena Pee Wees' when they won the League Championship as a very new team in 1969. He also coached the Cudworth boys' Curling Team to win the 1978 Saskatchewan Winter Games, and Unit Championship in 1987. These were special moments in his life that he reflected upon fondly.
Peter was very active in his church and community, serving on many organizations and committees, such as President of the Ukrainian Orthodox Wakaw-Melfort District of Churches, President of the Cudworth Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Green Grove Ukrainian Orthodox Summer Camp Board of Directors, member of the TYC/Ukrainian Self Reliance League, President of Wakaw Unit Teacher's Association, Vesna Festival Board of Directors, Vice -President of Carlton Trail Regional College, Board of Trustees for Cudworth St. Michael's Hospital, and Cudworth Nursing Home, member of the Cudworth Lions, and Counsellor of the village of Alvena, and the town of Cudworth. Peter also served as Mayor of Cudworth for 7 years.
In 1955, Peter married the love of his life Zennia Nychyk of Whitkow, Saskatchewan. They were blessed with 5 children, Darrell, Doreen, Patricia, Anna-Marie, and Dean. The Ukrainian culture was very important to Peter and he instilled a love of this culture in his children. He supported them in all their various activities, especially Ukrainian dance, and it was with great pride and joy that he also got to see his grandchildren embrace the Ukrainian culture. Peter devoted many years to Green Grove Ukrainian Orthodox Summer Camp where his children and grandchildren attended. Peter was blessed with a great-grandson last year who is also his namesake - his heart could not become fuller.
Peter loved to sing traditional Ukrainian songs. Whether it was a singsong at a wedding, a party with his children and their friends, or Christmas caroling with the family he would lend his beautiful harmonizing voice. He was a devoted member of the Ukrainian Orthodox church where he sang in the church choir, and along with Zennia frequently travelled to the country churches to canter. For the past 2 years Peter was a member of the Dibrova Ukrainian Folk Ensemble choir with whom he performed and had the opportunity to sing on the album they recorded.
Peter was a life-long learner and avid reader of history and science until the end. In his last few weeks in the hospital he still marveled at advances in science and technology and enjoyed discussing history with the nurses! In retirement he took up cooking and even won a borscht making contest at the Cudworth Senior's Centre - we called him Pete McBeet! He was in the process of collecting his favorite recipes in hopes of publishing a book and was also compiling family history, which is close to completion.
Peter loved nature and the outdoors and his favorite place to spend time was the family farm homestead where he was born. He felt most connected to the land, and farming was his passion. In his own words "farming was most enjoyable in my life. It was the space, fresh air, the harvesting of crops, and various other activities present only in rural life". This kind, generous, and humble farm boy was truly a renaissance man, and he will be missed. If you ever find yourself at the Alvena grid crossroad on Highway #41 please look to the east and remember him.
Peter is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Zennia; daughters Doreen [Myron], Patricia [Kevin], Anna-Marie; son Dean [Camille]; daughter-in-law Sheryl Yuzik; son-in-law Shaun Grinde; grandchildren Christopher, Matthew [Bailey], Daniel, Alanna, Maddy, Colby; great-grandson Pete; brothers and sisters-in-law Vera [George] Tkachyk; Roman [Elaine] Nychyk; special cousin Jean Dubyk; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and Godchildren.
Peter was predeceased by his son Darrell in 1989; father and mother Nick and Lena Yuzik; brother Elmer Yuzik; grandparents John and Annie Yuzik, and Fedir and Katarina Galas; mother-in-law and father in-law Mike and Nellie Nychyk; brother-in-law Gordon Nychyk; sisters-in-law Elsie Nychyk and Iris Yuzik; special Uncle and Aunt, Bill and Jean Yuzik; and many friends of his youth.
Prayer Service for Peter will be held on Monday, September 23, 2019 at 7:00 p.m., and the Funeral Service on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Both services will be held at All Saint's Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 2616 Louise Street, Saskatoon, SK. officiated by Very Reverend Peter Wasylenko, and Very Reverend Taras Makowsky. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery Orthodox section.
The family would like to thank Peter's family physician Dr. Van Rensburg, and the doctors, nurses, therapists, and all staff at Royal University Hospital, St. Paul's Hospital, Saskatoon City Hospital, Home Care, and Senior's First who cared for him.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Peter's name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, or Green Grove Ukrainian Orthodox Camp, or a charity of one's choice. To share memories and condolences, visit www.parkfuneral.ca "Obituaries-Guestbook".
Arrangements entrusted to Greg Lalach, Park Funeral Home 306.244.2103.