Paul Albert Zawerucka was born on July 12, 1920 in Preeceville, Sk. He grew up on the family farm in Hazel Dell. After he completed Grade 9, he worked as a farm hand for the neighbours. In 1942, Paul was called to join the army. He was sent to Regina to join the Prince Albert volunteers regiment, where he received his first trades pay as a cook, which gave him an extra 25¢ a day. The regiment moved around a lot during training, spent some time in Prince Albert, Sk then went to Vernon, BC. From Vernon, Paul went overseas with the Winnipeg Grenadiers on the Queen Mary as part of a convoy. They landed in England two weeks later. Paul always remembered that the day he landed in England, also marked the day of the Normandy Landing - which was one of the largest seaborn invasion in history. He was stationed in Aldershot, England. Paul was discharged from duty on November 28, 1946, which allowed him to return to Hyas, SK. In Hyas, Paul gained employment with Pioneer Grain Company - a career that he continued for 35 years. On December 31, 1957, Paul married the love of his life, Madelyn and together they raised four children. The family moved to Yorkton in 1973, where he continued to work for Pioneer until he retired in 1985. Paul's retirement years were spent curling in the winter. Summer months were busy at the family cottage at Crystal Lake, golfing (keeping score), landscaping, taking the kids skiing and at the end of every good day, Paul's favorite thing was a campfire. Paul also kept busy during these years mainly with the Royal Canadian Legion. Paul was awarded Legionnaire of the Year in 1997 in recognition of his countless hours of volunteer work. Of all of his contributions to the Legion, the most notable was his work with the Poppy Fund and the Veteran's History Book. Paul was also very good at keeping dates and numbers in his mind. You could ask him about any event and he would give you the exact date and year that it happened. This led to an interest in volunteering as a tax preparer. He took a course in Tax Preparation and continued this volunteer work right up until his passing. He was recognized in 2001 for his years of service with a Certificate signed by the then Prime Minister, Jean Chrétien. Paul passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, April 5, 2013 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre in Yorkton, SK. He was 92 years of age. Paul was predeceased by his parents, Mike and Pearl; his six brothers, Bill, Metro, Tom, John, Walter and Sam; his sister, Katie Chornomitz; his brothers-in-law, Mike, Harry and Frank and sister-in-law, Anne. Paul will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 56 years, Madelyn; his four children, his son, Dennis (Judy) and their family: Dale (Rhonda) and their children, Tristen and Tiffany and Tannis and her children, Travis and Tia, Darren (Jen) and their children, Dazza and Venice and Joanna (Dieter) and their son, Hayden; his daughter, Donna (Robert); his son, Reg; and his son, Jason (Shawna) and their children, Shalaine (Shane) and Bryanne. He also leaves to mourn his brother, Nick (Lorraine); four sisters, Mary Enquist, Netty Moskwa, Anne Hopkins and Eva Zawerucka as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. The Prayer Service was held on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Reverend Molly Kitchen officiating. The Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 from Westview United Church in Yorkton, SK with Reverend Molly Kitchen officiating. The organist, Sharon Litvanyi, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "How Great Thou Art", "In The Garden" and "We Shall Go Out With Hope of Resurrection". Legion Funeral Rites were conducted with Reverend Ken Buchan acting as the Padre, Peter Wyatt was the Sergeant-at-Arms and members of the General Alexander Ross, Branch #77 of the Royal Canadian Legion served as the Color Party. The pallbearers were Bob Cumming, Steven Steranko, Dean Doroschuk, Metro Chornomitz, Dale Wintoniak and Ivan McSymytz. A private family cremation committal will take place at later date. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
