Obituary
It is with deep sadness that we mourn the sudden passing of Lawrence Ostafichuk. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother-in-law and friend to many, Lawrence Ostafichuk of Hyas, SK, passed away at the Jowsey House Rehabilitation Centre in Yorkton, SK, on June 29, 2022, at the age of 87. He had been enjoying excellent care at this facility and was working hard to regain his strength and mobility so he could return home.
Lawrence was born on June 18, 1935, on a farm by Hyas, SK, to George and Nettie (nee Bellous) Ostafichuk. He was the youngest of their four children. Lawrence described his childhood as happy. His family may have had limited finances, but it was rich with the most important elements – abundant family, friends, food, and love.
Lawrence was educated in the small village school in Hyas. In his late teens, he travelled to Vancouver with a cousin and a couple of friends to work in a lumber mill. He had some good stories about pranks they played on each other. It was a very big trip for a naive farm boy.
When Lawrence returned home, he dedicated the next portion of his life to farming with his brother, Andrew. Not wanting to remain a bachelor forever, Lawrence began hanging around the nurse’s residence in Canora. It was there he met Kathleen Underwood and they were married on June 24, 1967. After their wedding, Lawrence moved his young bride out to the farm.
In February 1972, Lawrence and Kathy welcomed their only child, Heather Jean, into the world. Heather enjoyed her first seven years living next door to Grandma Nettie and her cousins. In 1998, Heather married Jason Reine and the little family grew to include granddaughters, Tessa in 2006 and Reese in 2009. The girls were Grandpa Lawrence’s pride and joy and he saw them nearly every day.
In 1979, Lawrence and Kathy purchased a home in Hyas and have lived there to this day. At this same time, Lawrence began his career in sales with Pennsylvania Life Insurance. He enjoyed a lot of success with Penn Life and loved the challenge of cold call selling. He had countless stories of bizarre encounters, interesting people, and unique situations. He made friendships that have lasted a lifetime.
Eventually Lawrence grew weary of being on the road so much, so he switched gears and transitioned to farm machinery sales with CASE IH in Yorkton. Having been a farmer himself, his knowledge of agriculture and concern for his farming clients’ best interests served him very well. After a couple years, Lawrence was promoted to manager of the Case dealership in Preeceville.
Lawrence then went on to sell vehicles for Formo Motors in Preeceville. As an avid car lover, he enjoyed this job until his retirement in 2010, at the age 75. Had it not been for his bad hip, he probably wouldn’t have retired even then.
After retirement, he took on the joyful and rewarding role of full-time grandpa to Tessa and Reese. He was a very attentive and active Grandpa to his adoring granddaughters. He made them pancakes and waffles in the morning, drove them to activities, and enjoyed their concerts and recitals. He told them stories and performed his famous magic tricks. He was the best of Grandpas. Reese even referred to him as her “favourite friend.”
A dog lover, Lawrence enjoyed special relationships to his grand dogs – especially Heather and Jason’s bulldogs, Higgins and Truffles, and most recently, Juno, the labradoodle. Lawrence loved to cook for them, take them on car rides, and generally spoil them rotten.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and even a stint of golfing. He and Kathy loved their annual Easter trips to Victoria, B.C. and spring and fall trips to Clear Lake, MB. They had honeymooned in Clear Lake and faithfully returned there for over 50 years.
Lawrence was an active community member. He served on the Ambulance Board, helped start the local chapter of Ducks Unlimited, was a member of the Norquay United Church, and was the mayor of Hyas for 6 years. He also really enjoyed his coffee buddies and the staff at the Whistle Stop in Norquay.
Lawrence was a great storyteller and was loved by so many. We will all greatly miss his sense of humour and kind presence.
“Our tales do more than dismantle social standings and generate camaraderie and entertainment. They create a space for one’s past, touching its flesh through memory and shedding a light that illuminates ourselves to ourselves to others. Without those stories, we’re only half of ourselves; without them that other half lurks inside like a shadow yearning for the sun.” – Donna Morrissey
Thank you for all your stories, Lawrence. You will never be forgotten.
Lawrence was predeceased by his parents, George and Nettie Ostafichuk; brother, Andrew Ostafichuk; sisters, Elsie (Peter) Keller and Evelyn (Bill) Swerhone; niece, Lisa Duncan; and great-nephew, Paul Chernoff.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, Kathy; their daughter, Heather and son-in-law, Jason; granddaughters, Tessa and Reese; and grand-dog, Juno; as well as numerous nephews, cousins, extended family and many, many friends.
In Lawrence’s honour, a Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 7, 2022, from the Chapel of Leson’s Funeral Home, Canora, SK, with Rev. Dr. John Oussoren officiating. Interment will follow in Stoney Creek Cemetery, between Hyas and Stenen, SK. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Canora Hospital Auxiliary or to Jowsey House Rehabilitation Centre, Yorkton, SK, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Lawrence Ostafichuk.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Lawrence Ostafichuk 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Canora, Province: Saskatchewan