Fred Saranchuk
1918-02-14 2011-10-25
SARANCHUK, Fred February 14, 1918 - October 25, 2011
On October 25, 2011, surrounded and supported by the love of his family, Fred Saranchuk peacefully passed away.
To celebrate and rejoice in his life are his wife, Jean of 69 years; daughters, Donna (Leonard), Jaqui and Janice; his extended family of seven grandchildren and their spouses, eight great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Evalyn; cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his seven siblings, and his beloved son, Dennis who died at the age of 14.
Fred spent his final months at St Joseph's Nursing Home where he was lovingly cared for by the exceptional nursing staff and Sisters truly angels of mercy. God Bless them all. We are so grateful that Dad was able to live out his last days in a home where he was happy and at peace.
Fred was born in 1918 on a farm near Cudworth but moved to Saskatoon as a child. He married Jean in 1942 and together, they taught in various Saskatchewan communities. In 1952, they moved back to Saskatoon and raised their family. After graduating from Bedford Road Collegiate, he went to Normal school, received his B.Ed. degree and for the next 30 years taught school in over 16 centers in Saskatchewan. Fred taught all subjects, but was most happy teaching French, History and English Literature.
Dad came from a long line of musicians. The family legend was that his father Michael ran off with the gypsies so that he could play violin. Not surprisingly, Dad was self taught in violin, accordion, piano, cymbala, and even took up the clarinet. He was an actor, choir director, a comedian, an accomplished speaker, a dancer and chorographer, an athlete and gymnast talents that he passed down to his children. He had a beautiful tenor voice and loved nothing better than to sing and play music with his friends and family.
Fred was also a devoted Catholic, a spiritual man, and gave a lifetime of commitment and support to St. Georges Ukrainian Catholic Church. He was a church choir director and a faithful cantor at both St George's and St Peter and Paul's Parish. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Ukrainian Brotherhood. As founding members, both Fred and Jean served on the Board of Directors of the St George's Senior Citizens Club, where they contributed their many talents and energies. The club played a big part in their retiring years, where they both enjoyed bowling, pool, Kaiser and the many social and musical events with their friends.
Dad was an avid Bridge player and always strived for that 'grand slam'. Dad was also a 'lucky' man and his greatest windfall was an expense paid trip to the Grey Cup to watch his team the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Dad was most loved and remembered by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dad, Gido, had a special relationship with each child. He liked children and understood them; in turn children responded to him. His little songs, rhymes, games, story telling with dramatic reenactment will be passed down for generations to come. Fred will be dearly missed by the family he leaves behind, but, just watch him; it will be Kolomeyka time in heaven.
Prayers for Fred will be held at Park Funeral Chapel (311 Third Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK) on Friday, October 28, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St. George (214 Avenue M South, Saskatoon) on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. with celebrant Very Rev. Fr. Janko Kolosnjaji. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Catholic Cemetery. Donations can be made to St. George's Ukrainian Catholic Church, St. Joseph's Nursing Home or a charity of one's choice. To send online condolences to the family, visit www.parkfuneral.ca . Arrangements entrusted to Greg Lalach Park Funeral Chapel, 306.244.2103 .
On October 25, 2011, surrounded and supported by the love of his family, Fred Saranchuk peacefully passed away.
To celebrate and rejoice in his life are his wife, Jean of 69 years; daughters, Donna (Leonard), Jaqui and Janice; his extended family of seven grandchildren and their spouses, eight great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Evalyn; cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his seven siblings, and his beloved son, Dennis who died at the age of 14.
Fred spent his final months at St Joseph's Nursing Home where he was lovingly cared for by the exceptional nursing staff and Sisters truly angels of mercy. God Bless them all. We are so grateful that Dad was able to live out his last days in a home where he was happy and at peace.
Fred was born in 1918 on a farm near Cudworth but moved to Saskatoon as a child. He married Jean in 1942 and together, they taught in various Saskatchewan communities. In 1952, they moved back to Saskatoon and raised their family. After graduating from Bedford Road Collegiate, he went to Normal school, received his B.Ed. degree and for the next 30 years taught school in over 16 centers in Saskatchewan. Fred taught all subjects, but was most happy teaching French, History and English Literature.
Dad came from a long line of musicians. The family legend was that his father Michael ran off with the gypsies so that he could play violin. Not surprisingly, Dad was self taught in violin, accordion, piano, cymbala, and even took up the clarinet. He was an actor, choir director, a comedian, an accomplished speaker, a dancer and chorographer, an athlete and gymnast talents that he passed down to his children. He had a beautiful tenor voice and loved nothing better than to sing and play music with his friends and family.
Fred was also a devoted Catholic, a spiritual man, and gave a lifetime of commitment and support to St. Georges Ukrainian Catholic Church. He was a church choir director and a faithful cantor at both St George's and St Peter and Paul's Parish. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Ukrainian Brotherhood. As founding members, both Fred and Jean served on the Board of Directors of the St George's Senior Citizens Club, where they contributed their many talents and energies. The club played a big part in their retiring years, where they both enjoyed bowling, pool, Kaiser and the many social and musical events with their friends.
Dad was an avid Bridge player and always strived for that 'grand slam'. Dad was also a 'lucky' man and his greatest windfall was an expense paid trip to the Grey Cup to watch his team the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Dad was most loved and remembered by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dad, Gido, had a special relationship with each child. He liked children and understood them; in turn children responded to him. His little songs, rhymes, games, story telling with dramatic reenactment will be passed down for generations to come. Fred will be dearly missed by the family he leaves behind, but, just watch him; it will be Kolomeyka time in heaven.
Prayers for Fred will be held at Park Funeral Chapel (311 Third Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK) on Friday, October 28, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St. George (214 Avenue M South, Saskatoon) on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. with celebrant Very Rev. Fr. Janko Kolosnjaji. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Catholic Cemetery. Donations can be made to St. George's Ukrainian Catholic Church, St. Joseph's Nursing Home or a charity of one's choice. To send online condolences to the family, visit www.parkfuneral.ca . Arrangements entrusted to Greg Lalach Park Funeral Chapel, 306.244.2103 .