This Christmas Oscar will be enjoying the heavenly choir with his loving wife, Luella and his daughter, Margaret. He passed away peacefully on Friday, December 16, 2011 at the age of 87 years. Oscar was born in Rusych, Poland in 1924. He came to Canada on a converted cattle boat with his parents, Gustav and Amelia and his little brother, Eric. In Canada the family grew to include, Herbert, Arthur "Buck" and Dorothy. Although the family struggled like many immigrants in the 1930's, Canada was a safe country far from the troubles of Europe until World War II broke out. Oscar enlisted when he was 17 and he trained as a tank radio operator. Being a small town boy, he had a bunch of eye-opening experiences - but he was never sent to Europe because his heritage excluded him. Near the end of the war he became a paratrooper - he and others were preparing for the invasion of Japan when the war ended. Oscar couldn't get back to small town Yorkton fast enough and once back he was here to stay. In 1947, he married Luella Macdonald and they started their married life in an old log house that they shared with Lou's sister, Rae and her husband, Johnny. In just short of a year they had their daughter, Margaret and their own little home on Gladstone. In a couple of years, Douglas came along, and when Larry was born they moved into a house that Oscar built on 6th Avenue North. Luella pretty much ran the household and set out the family goals; Oscar recognized her strength and he was happy with the life they were building together. He would turn over his pay cheques and get a small allowance in return - which he would never spend. Then he'd take on little extra jobs to get his toys - his guns and rods, boats and campers never came out of the household budget. Things went well until Margaret died in 1966. That left a sad wound that they never fully recovered from, they never gave up but from time to time they privately mourned and comforted each other. In later years they got to enjoy some of the fruits of their labours and they took some wonderful vacations, spent a little on themselves, helped their sons get a good start to their lives and became wonderful grandparents. In 2001 Oscar's beloved wife passed away and a new and difficult period began. Always a person happiest when putzing with a tool, or in the garden, or a snow shovel, now he had to learn how to take care of himself. Thank God for all the good neighbours like Ardis, Rock, the Hopkins, Wayne and Brenda who helped out so much. Then in 2009 the house got to be too much and he moved into the Gladstone Seniors Residence where his needs were met by the great people there - thank you! He was truly happy there and he mellowed right out and the staff found him to be sweet and mischievous. He finally put down his tools and snow shovel this year and that seemed to be a sign that his time was coming to an end. Celebrating his life, he leaves Doug, Richelle, Nicole, Larry and Karen, Chris, Liz, Buck and Marge and Dorothy. Special thanks to M and M at the Yorkton Hearing Centre, the Yorkton Co-op delivery service, Meals and Wheels, the Yorkton Regional Health Centre Nursing Staff, Reverend Fred Schneider and to all the wonderful people in Yorkton who were always helping Oscar and his family. On behalf of Oscar, the family would like to wish you a Merry Christmas wherever you are. A private family grave side service was held on Thursday, December 22, 2011 from the Yorkton City Cemetery with Reverend Fred Schneider officiating. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
