Peter William Zaleschuk was born on April 21st, 1930 in Rosthern, to Wasyl and Mary (Bokshowan) Zaleschuk; the fourth child of nine. He was raised on a farm in the St. Julien district. Peter attended Kiev School within that district. In March of 1946, the family suffered the loss of their father, 1 month before Peter’s 16th birthday. It was his father’s wish that Peter would provide for the family and help his mother as he was the oldest of the boys. On his 16th birthday Peter dropped out of school and began to teach himself skills to carry him through the years and fulfill his father’s wish of providing for the family. In 1952, Peter purchased his first quarter of land which later became the family homestead. In 1953, Peter met his wife Muriel Kindrachuk. They were married October 18, 1958 at the Wakaw Ukrainian Church. They were blessed with 3 children, Diane, Donna and Ken. Peter had many passions in his life, he loved living on the farm in the Fish Creek area not far from his parents homestead. He was a grain farmer and raised livestock as well, everything from cattle, donkeys, pigs, chickens, ducks, but his true love was the heavy draft horses. Peter took great pride in raising and training Percheron draft horses. There were years when they had several foals at one time. Peter proudly drove his teams of heavy horses, whether it was doing the daily chores or at the local parades. Peter enjoyed attending the old time threshing demonstrations with his teams of horses. Peter was proud that he could pass on his love of horses to his son Ken who always helped him hitch and drive teams. Peter was so pleased that his love and passion of horses was also passed onto Ken’s daughters, who now carry on this love of horses. Having a caring and compassion for all animals, Peter was often called upon by neighbours to come to perform “Farm Vet” services which was something he taught himself growing up. Neighbours and friends also knew of Peter’s water witching skills. When someone was in need of finding a water source for their farm, they called upon Peter who never refused to come over and was always successful in finding water. Peter and his wife Muriel enjoyed when company came for a visit. It didn’t matter whether it was a friendly visit or a contractor coming to do work, they were always welcomed with kindness and gratitude. No one ever left without a drink and a meal. Peter never took time to get away from the farm, either it was calving, seeding, haying or harvest, but in 2007 he and Muriel had a memorable holiday to Hawaii. But Peter’s heart belonged on the farm so this was the only major holiday they shared, other than going to Rosthern or Wakaw. In Peter’s later years when he started to slow down (he never really did) Peter could be seen driving down the backroads by the neighbours as they worked in their fields. Often times he would stop to offer to help move equipment or give someone a ride to the next field or their truck. Some neighbours started calling him “Uber”. Peter’s love of farming and working the land was never lost, up until the summer of 2021, he could still be seen in a tractor working the field, raking hay or just cutting the grass. Peter had many interests. He was a long time member of the Canadian Percheron Association. He loved watching Telemiracle, hockey, rodeos, chuckwagon races and the weather network. Peter was also on the Rosthern Hospital board for 10 years. Peter served as president and a board member for the church for many years. Peter was devoted to his faith in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He followed the Julien calendar faithfully and observed all the Ukrainian holidays. Peter passed away at the age of 91 at Royal University Hospital after a brief battle with cancer on February 15, 2022 with his son by his side. Peter was predeceased by his parents: Wasyl and Mary (Bokshowan) Zaleschuk, brothers; Eugene, Albert and Victor; sister Anne (in infancy), sisters-in-law Mary (Twarynski) Zaleschuk and Irene (Kindrachuk) Missura; brothers-in-law; Peter Blocka, Michael Kryklywy, and Edward Maruschak; his parents-in-law George and Mary (Dutchak) Kindrachuk. Left to mourn his passing and cherish memories are his loving wife of 63 years Muriel (Lakeview Pioneer Lodge) Wakaw, his daughters Diane (Alan) Arsenault, Brittany, Brianne and Braden, Saskatoon; Donna (Murray) Long, Evan and Valya, Saskatoon; son, Ken (Monica) Zaleschuk, Sierra, Kallie, and Lexi, Rosthern; sisters: Emily Blocka, Rosthern (passed away Friday February 18th, 2022); Pauline Kryklywy, Toronto, Anne Marushak, Rosthern; brother Orest Zaleschuk, Wakaw; sister-in-law Alice Zaleschuk, Wakaw; as well as many nieces and nephews , relatives & friends. The Prayer Service was held on Friday, February 25, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. and the Funeral Service was held on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Both Services were held in the Chapel of Kushneryk Funeral Service in Wakaw, SK with Very Rev. Archpriest Patrick Powalinsky and Very Rev. Mitred Archpriest Taras Makowsky as officiants. Interment followed at the St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery at St. Julien, SK. Donations in memory of Peter may be directed to the St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery. The family would like to express their thank you to the Wakaw home care staff, Rosthern hospital nurses and doctors, and Royal University Hospital nurses and doctors for caring for Peter.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Peter William Zaleschuk Tuesday February 15th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: WAKAW, Province: Saskatchewan