It is with sadness that the family of Dennis Woloshyn announce his sudden and unexpected passing on December 21, 2015. Dennis was born on September 25, 1951 at North Battleford, SK. He was the second child of five sons born to Harry and Olga Woloshyn of Whitkow, SK. Left to cherish Dennis' memory: his loving wife of 36 years, Darlene of Mayfair, SK; and son Kyle (Kayla), Mayfair, SK; canine companion Skamper; his mother Olga Woloshyn, North Battleford, SK; brothers : David (Elaine), Mayfair, SK - Curtis, Gregory, Ryan, Amanda (Kinley) Sevick: Parker, Keri, Cooper; Larry (Karen), North Battleford, SK -Brianna, Sydney, Declan, Krista; John (Connie), Baldwinton, SK - Dalyn; father and mother-in-law, Steve and Sally Starycki, North Battleford, SK; sister-in-law, Christine (Tom) Wyatt, North Battleford,SK - Robert (Kelly): Grace, Harrison; Jeff (Alex): Emma, Olivia. Dennis was predeceased by his father, Harry Woloshyn (2002); brother, Gerald Woloshyn (2008); nephew Jaeden Woloshyn (1995); Grandparents; Dmytro and Nellie Woloshyn, Dmytro and Mary Hrynewich and several aunts and uncles. In this eulogy, I am referring to Dennis by his given name - a name that all of you would have used and known him by. He did however, have a nickname which he acquired in the late 1960's and that name was "weasel". Nobody remembers how or why that name came about, and most of you would never have known that name or ever called him that. It was one of those things in life that creates an unexplainable bond between a group of people - a bond that becomes stronger as the years go by. I cannot try to explain it, but those of you who were close to him will certainly understand. Dennis received his education at a one room school called Howard #1 for grades one to six, then grades seven to twelve at Mayfair Central School. He furthered his education at SIAST (Kelsey) where he acquired a diploma in mechanics. Employment was then obtained at HLS Equipment - the International Harvester dealer in North Battleford. However, the lure of the land was too strong and Dennis returned to the farm where he started grain farming with his Dad and brothers, but eventually gravitated to farming with his brother David. For years the farm concentrated on grain only, but in the mid 90's livestock appeared in the form of elk and bison. To say that there was a huge learning curve with these animals would certainly not be an overstatement. They were genetically wild animals that humans were trying to domesticate. Knowledge acquired from people in the cattle industry didn't seem to apply too much when trying to work with these species, but over time things did work out really well. Most producers who keep livestock - no matter what kind - enjoy their animals and Dennis was no exception. He was always out there, especially in the winter, checking, feeding and admiring them etc. Over the years he had built up a large network of friends and acquaintances in the bison industry. One of his favourite pastimes was to go to the bison sales at Kramer Auctions where he would socialize and talk "buffalo" with all the people he knew in the industry. Dennis was never a big time sports person but he did play broomball for the Whitkow Aces team for many years - a team that enjoyed great comaraderie and where many new friendships were formed - friendships that lasted for decades and carried on until the present. The outdoors was where Dennis liked to conduct his recreational activities. A lot of time was spent ice fishing at Turtle Lake with his friends. This was always a great time as it was a chance to do a lot of socializing, playing Kaiser, joking and all the other fun things that can go on when spending a day on the lake. Big game hunting was a passion of Dennis all his life. He certainly enjoyed hunting deer around home but, as his hunting buddies would tell you, that annual moose hunt in the north, living in a trailer for a week was the ultimate hunting thrill. Many a story was told (and some weren't) about their experiences and goings on, but the amazing thing about the hunt was that a group of guys could spend a week cooped up with each other in a trailer in the bush, then come home and still be as close a group of friends as they were when they started the hunt. By the way, that annual hunt started in 1978 and has continued without fail with the same group of guys until the present - 38 years. From a very young age, Dennis displayed a real apptitude for mechanics. Things would get taken apart just to see how they worked, then get put back together and would still work. He was forever tinkering, repairing or building something. Not only was he content to repair things, he also had to understand the theory as to how and why something worked. He was a very technical person and usually gave you a very detailed answer to a question that on the surface seemed very simple. One thing about Dennis was that he had a tremendous memory and an amazing ability to recall anything and everything. Whether it was names of people or events that occurred, all you had to do was ask and he knew. He could tell you whose family homesteaded on which piece of land, who was related to who going back several generations, which crop was grown on a particular piece of land ten years ago, which machine had a certain repair done to it in the past etc. He was a neverending source of jokes, which is quite a feat since most people can't remember a joke they heard yesterday. Dennis' life didn't consist of doing anything that was really earth shattering or having great accomplishments that would be remembered years after his passing. Instead he was a person who had a tremendous range of talents and could do any and every little thing that needed to be done. He was always willing to help anybody at any time - even if it meant dropping what he was doing at that moment. Dennis was many things to many people - a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. I would think that he would want to be remembered by all who knew him and were touched by him as a real "people" person - kind, generous, considerate and caring. He will most certainly be missed by all. Funeral service was held Monday December 28, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, North Battleford SK with Reverend Father Taras Makowsky of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist, North Battleford presiding. Cross Bearer was David Mischuk, Altar Server was John Sendecki and Cantor was Jim Shevchuk. Honourary Pallbearers - Julian Goyan, Ron Buziak, Morris Kowerchuk, Stephen Cherwinski, Paul Cherwinski, Curtis Goyan. Active Pallbearers - Curtis, Gregory, Ryan, Dalyn, Declan Woloshyn, Kinley Sevick, Eulogy was read by Karen Woloshyn. Internment took place at Glass Lake Cemetery, Whitkow SK. Memorials may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Battlefords Humane Society or to the donor's choice. Arrangements were entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service.Â
Card Of ThanksÂ
We would like to thank Reverend Father Makowsky for his compassion, comforting words and guidance in this time of sorrow. Thank you to Bob MacKay of Battlefords Funeral Service - we are forever grateful and would like to extend our sincere appreciation for all that you have done for us. Thank you also to Cantor Jim Shevchuk, Altar Server John Sendecki and Cross Bearer David Mischuk. Finally, a big heartfelt thank you to our relatives, friends and neighbours who supported us through visits, telephone calls, kind words, thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Darlene and Kyle.
