Mr. William Peleshytyk of Yorkton, formerly of Calder SK passed away on February 19, 2012 at the Yorkton and District Nursing Home. William was the youngest son of Philip and Nettie (nee Olynick) Peleshytyk. He was raised on the family farm and received his education in the Calder district. William worked as a farmhand after leaving school, often hopping trains with his friends across Alberta and Saskatchewan. He moved to Hamilton in 1941 to work as a deckhand on a ship on Lake Superior. He returned to Saskatchewan to help with the family farm upon discharge from his merchant marine career. In 1953, he was united in marriage to Lorraine Matechuk, they moved onto the family farm where they lived until they retired to Calder in 1992. William was active with the RM of Calder; he was a Councillor with Division 4 for many years. William was very active with the Wroxton Seniors Club for years, both while he lived on the farm, and after he moved to Calder. William continued to help his son after he left the farm, he maintained a regular regime of going to the farm and getting on the field early in the morning, this continued well into his late seventies. William enjoyed reading; his favourites were current affairs magazines, non-fiction history books, particularly histories of Europe and Ukraine. William loved to watch news programs and documentaries on TV, as well as discovery channel and CNN. William was very interested in world affairs and was well informed by both listening to CBC and watching various news programs. William always expressed a desire to visit Ukraine, this was based on stories he had heard from his father regarding the family history and life in the Ukraine. In 1997 William and his brother Philip traveled to Ukraine with a tour and had an opportunity to visit the village where their father had come from (William knew they were in the right village when they found the church) an octagon shaped old building just as their father had described to them. William always thought people in Ukraine had a good life, perhaps not as good as those in Canada. After he completely retired from his farming efforts, William became more active with the Seniors Club in Calder; he often took his pool cue, went for coffee and played pool with the other pool sharks. William also loved to watch sports on TV, he faithfully followed his Toronto Blue Jays, he cheered for his Riders and loved to watch curling. William enjoyed the very helpful staff at the Calder library who were always so willing to order in books that he wanted to read, in later years, William had the staff from the library bring books to his home. Lorraine moved to Yorkton due to health problems in 1997 and William became better acquainted with cooking his own meals. In later years as his health began to fail, he was able to rely on friends and neighbours in his community who thoughtfully offered to shop for him when they were going into Yorkton, picked up his mail, took him to medical appointments, and even came to his home to cut his hair. He also had a great circle of friends who helped with various chores and issues he encountered, he was quick to offer all who came by a cup of coffee and some friendly conversation. William's health had deteriorated in the summer of 2011; he required hospitalization and was unable to return to independent living in Calder. He moved into Jowsey House at the Yorkton and District Nursing Home in October 2011, he was very pleased with his new residence, he had all his meals prepared for him, his laundry was done, and help was readily available whenever he needed it. William passed away peacefully on Sunday with his children at his bedside. William was predeceased by his parents, Philip & Nettie; brothers & sisters: Mary (Alec) Deneka, Jack (Anne) Pells, Bella (Tony) Shymko, Polly (Matt) Deneka, Metro (Nettie) Peleshytyk, Philip (Betty) Pells, Annie (Harry) Dubnyk, Jenny (Mike) Hughes, and Steve (Evelyn) Peleshytyk. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Lorraine; daughters: Shirley Peleshytyk of Edmonton, Diane Pelyk of Canberra, Australia, son Bernard (Sandra) of Yorkton and his grandchildren Shayla and Brennen; and sister Nettie (Sam) Purich of Yorkton well as numerous nieces, nephews, and his many other relatives and friends. Prayers were held on Thursday, February 23 and the Funeral Service on Friday, February 24 at Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Rev. Father Michael Faryna officiating. The responses were led by Zennovia Duch. The interment followed in Garden of St. Luke at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Brennen Peleshytyk, Taras Robulak, John Derbowka, Grant Hardy, Derry Dubnyk and Gerald Shymko serving as the casket bearers. Memorials honouring William's life may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or a Charity of Choice. Condolences can be posted to the family by visiting www.baileysfuneralhome.com
Vichnaya Pamyat!
Eternal Memory! Funeral arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home.
