Nick Patola
2010-04-18
PATOLA, Nick
Nick died peacefully on Sunday, April 18, 2010 with his children by his side at the age of 80 years.
His family was most important to him and he made many sacrifices in his commitment to providing his children all opportunities possible. He built a beautiful house in Montgomery on a large lot that could serve as a playground for his kids and grandkids. He organized or coached the many different sports that all of his children participated in over the years. His priorities went beyond sports and provided his children opportunities for music, travel and education. His kids were members of the many teams he coached over the years. Nick's strong support for his children and their families continued up until his death. He had a special relationship with all of his grandchildren and followed their activities closely. He was always in the bleachers, on the sidelines, or in the audience for any game or event.
Nick is survived by his four children, Matthew, Michael, Joani (Craig) Halvorson, David (Paula); eight grandchildren, Aaron, Graham, Jordyn, Kaylee, Jonathan, Adam, Michael and Luke; nephews, Mark and David Patola and their families; and special friend, Sharon. He was predeceased by his parents, Nettie and Steve; brother, Walt and his wife Shirley; and infant sister, Annie.
Nick grew up in Saskatoon and graduated from Bedford Road Collegiate in 1949. He was an excellent athlete participating in a variety of sports. He developed a love for basketball and played for the U of S Huskies while obtaining his education degree. Nick's interests and talents went beyond sports. He was an avid reader, skilled carpenter and repairman. Nick touched many lives over his 33 years as a teacher. He took his passion for basketball and began his long coaching and teaching career at Moose Jaw Tech High School in 1955.
In 1960, he felt very fortunate for the opportunity to come home and begin teaching at the newly built Mount Royal Collegiate. Coach always kept the gym open, dedicating many hours to his Mustang players and the sport of basketball. He built special and life long relationships with many players over the years dating back to those first Tech Toiler teams in Moose Jaw. Nick never sought the spotlight but was honored when inducted into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame and named the 1991 Kinsmen Sportsman of the Year.
Prayers of Nick will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. Both services will be held at Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church (10th Street and Munroe Avenue), Saskatoon, SK. The celebrants will be Rev. Fr. Dmytro Dnistrian, C.Ss.R. and Rt. Rev. Andrew Muzyka. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation online at www.JDRF.ca or by cheque payable to JDRF at Box 3924, Regina, SK, S4P 3R8. To send online condolences to the family, visit www.parkfuneral.ca . Arrangements entrusted to Greg Lalach.
Nick died peacefully on Sunday, April 18, 2010 with his children by his side at the age of 80 years.
His family was most important to him and he made many sacrifices in his commitment to providing his children all opportunities possible. He built a beautiful house in Montgomery on a large lot that could serve as a playground for his kids and grandkids. He organized or coached the many different sports that all of his children participated in over the years. His priorities went beyond sports and provided his children opportunities for music, travel and education. His kids were members of the many teams he coached over the years. Nick's strong support for his children and their families continued up until his death. He had a special relationship with all of his grandchildren and followed their activities closely. He was always in the bleachers, on the sidelines, or in the audience for any game or event.
Nick is survived by his four children, Matthew, Michael, Joani (Craig) Halvorson, David (Paula); eight grandchildren, Aaron, Graham, Jordyn, Kaylee, Jonathan, Adam, Michael and Luke; nephews, Mark and David Patola and their families; and special friend, Sharon. He was predeceased by his parents, Nettie and Steve; brother, Walt and his wife Shirley; and infant sister, Annie.
Nick grew up in Saskatoon and graduated from Bedford Road Collegiate in 1949. He was an excellent athlete participating in a variety of sports. He developed a love for basketball and played for the U of S Huskies while obtaining his education degree. Nick's interests and talents went beyond sports. He was an avid reader, skilled carpenter and repairman. Nick touched many lives over his 33 years as a teacher. He took his passion for basketball and began his long coaching and teaching career at Moose Jaw Tech High School in 1955.
In 1960, he felt very fortunate for the opportunity to come home and begin teaching at the newly built Mount Royal Collegiate. Coach always kept the gym open, dedicating many hours to his Mustang players and the sport of basketball. He built special and life long relationships with many players over the years dating back to those first Tech Toiler teams in Moose Jaw. Nick never sought the spotlight but was honored when inducted into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame and named the 1991 Kinsmen Sportsman of the Year.
Prayers of Nick will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. Both services will be held at Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church (10th Street and Munroe Avenue), Saskatoon, SK. The celebrants will be Rev. Fr. Dmytro Dnistrian, C.Ss.R. and Rt. Rev. Andrew Muzyka. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation online at www.JDRF.ca or by cheque payable to JDRF at Box 3924, Regina, SK, S4P 3R8. To send online condolences to the family, visit www.parkfuneral.ca . Arrangements entrusted to Greg Lalach.