2019
Peter Nowosad passed away peacefully with family on 3 August 2019, leaving behind his dear son Orest, sister-in-law Stephanie Sakundiak, brother-in-law Eugene Hrycak and Heather and Selwyn Gubb.
Peter was predeceased by his wife Michaelene (née Hrycak) in 2010, father Vasyl Semenchuk in 1949, mother Kataryna Nowosad in 1973, brother Roman Semenchuk in 2003, best friend Matthew Gubb in 2014, and sister Olha Semenchuk in 2018.
Peter was born in the village of Perwiatyczi, Ukraine on 18 July 1926 and studied in Sokal, Ukraine in the Gymnasium before WWII started in Western Ukraine. He left his native village on 6 September 1943, to fight for his country, surviving Ukraine’s most vicious battle on his 18th birthday – the battle of Brody.
Peter migrated to Canada in 1951, welcomed by his aunt Palahia (née Nowosad) and husband Roman Hrycay and their family on the farm in Arran, Saskatchewan. In 1952, he went to Yale, B.C. and worked with Canadian Pacific Railways. However, Peter spent most of his life in various mines (gold, uranium and potash) including with Pioneer Mine on Vancouver Island; Eldorado at Beaverlodge near Uranium City; Verner Lake Mine, Ontario; Brenner Mine, Kennedy Lake, B.C; International Mining Company, Esterhazy; and Noranda in Colonsay, Saskatchewan where he took early retirement in 1986. Regarding mining Peter authored Mining in Canada: a personal history. An on-line memoire. He worked on building Gardiner Dam and for a short while owned a hotel in Beauvallon, Alberta and dabbled in real-estate in Edmonton.
Following his marriage to Michaelene (Lee) in Saskatoon on 5 October 1961, he and Lee moved to Edmonton where Orest was born in 1964. On 1 July 1966, they moved back to Saskatoon to be close to his wife’s family (Hrycak and Palchinski families) who he treated as his own through to his last breath. He, along with his wife, was an avid traveller whether in Canada or globally often visiting the places where his son was living while always maintaining a beautiful and productive garden. He visited Ukraine often to see his beloved village and family and in 1995 penned a book entitled With Ukraine in my Heart. Peter was interested in Ukrainian history and literature and supported a number of charities that covered these areas as well as global affairs. He was an active member of St. George’s Ukrainian Greek Catholic Cathedral and discretely provided support to many Ukrainian organisations. As indicated by his book title, Ukraine was always in his heart. Слава Українi!
Peter was known for his endearing smile, commitment to do everything he promised for others, his generous spirit and unwavering commitment to his family and in particular his son. He reached out to many and even with ailing health stopped to say hello to others and see how they were. In France, where his son lives, he always responded as to how he was “Ca Va!” with a thumbs up. His photo says it all. He will be deeply missed by family and friends. Orest would particularly like to thank the staff at City (including the Geriatric Assessment Programme) and St. Paul’s Hospitals (including the Palliative Care Unit); Saskatchewan’s Client Patient Access Services; and Parkville Manor which was his last place of residence and the community there for their support and kindness.
Peter’s body lies in rest in the Martens Warmen Funeral Home, 402 Central Street West, Warman, with visiting from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and a Memorial Service on the evening of 9 August 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at St. George’s Ukrainian Greek Catholic Cathedral in Saskatoon. The funeral shall be held at the Cathedral on 10 August at 11:00 a.m. Interment shall take place at the Woodlawn Cemetery nine years to the date that he did so for his beloved wife.
Вiчная йому память!
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Peter Nowosad 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Warman, Province: Saskatchewan