John Ostapowich
October 25, 2021
John Ostapowich died peacefully in his sleep on October 25, 2021 at the Foam Lake Jubilee Nursing
Home.
John was born on September 5, 1938 in the Foam Lake district, the son of Alex and Gaficia Ostapowich.
John married Olga married in 1964 where they raisied three children Gail, Irene and Donald south of
Foam Lake on the family farm until they moved to town in 1985. When in town they worked on their
small garden not, not just as big as on the farm. John always challenged his talents with working with
oak by creating many precious things for his children from grand father clocks, to a full bedroom suite,
dresser and headboard, china cabinets, and many other accessories for the the home. John also
struggled with wood carving but was very determined to succeed. This goes with the two pieces that
where in display with pride in his room at the nursing home. John loved his one liners like “Don’t go
building any brick houses when you don’t have any bricks.” “No grass grows under my feet” and when
John wanted to end a conversation he would always say “Okie Dokie”
John worked various jobs for example shoveling coal, working with Joe Schebel picking garbage, worked
for the Federal Grain Elevator, worked on the public school and high school pouring cement and then
worked for the Town of Foam Lake until his retirement in 1998. Then being bored as John could be he
worked for a professor from the University of Saskatchewan harvesting, he would help anyone harvest
that needed help.
John leaves to cherish his memory his wife Olga of 57 years, his daughters Gail (Darryl), Irene (Ken) and
son Donald (Patty), two grandchildren Amanda (Troy) and Matthew (Jordan) and three great-
grandchildren Anthony, Savannah and Clark. John was the last survivoring son from his parents. He is
survived by his sisters-in-laws, Emily Ostapowich, Esther Ostapowich and brother-in-law Joe Schebel and
many nieces and nephews.
John was predeceased by his parents Alex and Gaficia, and his sisters, Katie, Mary, Lena, Annie, Alice,
Doris and his brothers, Wasyl, Steve, Metro and Nick and four infant siblings.
John picked his honorary pallbearers which he loved. They would come to visit John and Olga many
times when going for a bike ride and they especially enjoyed his 80 th birthday party on the deck. After
seeing the video from that birthday party he was truly loved by them. They could not WAIT for COVID –
19 to go away to go for a bike ride when John first got his scooter. When John was able to finally go for
a ride they had the biggest smiles on their faces.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Ostapowich October 25 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Foam Lake, Province: Saskatchewan