John Gazdewich
John Gazdewich passed away quietly and peacefully at St. Paul’s Hospital (Saskatoon) on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the age of 85 years.
He was born on May 22, 1924 at the family homestead near Norquay, SK. John attended St. Joseph’s High School in Yorkton, SK and later enlisted in the military to serve overseas during 1944-45. Upon returning to Canada, John served in local government and served the community in a variety of positions. He was Secretary, Town of Ituna, 1955-1966, R.M. Administrator of Bon Accord, 1951-1967 and the Ituna School Board, 1961-1967. In Ituna, he met and married Helen (nee Pieczonka) in 1957. In 1967, John moved his family to Yorkton to become R.M. Administrator of Orkney and Wallace, a position he held until his retirement in 1991. In Yorkton, he served as Secretary of the Yorkton Watershed Authority, served on the Veterinary Service Board and served on St. Gerard’s Church Parish Council. John was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus. John and Helen retired to Katepwa Lake, SK in 1996 to a cottage he had a great hand in constructing into a home before moving to Saskatoon, SK in 2008.
John will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by Helen, his wife of 52 years; sons, John and his children, Adam and Gabrielle of Calgary, AB; Jerome (Linda) and their children, Kelly Anne and Sean of St. Lazare, PQ; daughters, Andrea (Greg) Gelleta and their children, Jeanette, John, Steven, Kevin and Evelyn of Saskatoon, SK; Marcia (Tim) Benko and children, Cale and Ashlyn of Calgary, AB; brothers, Matt (Olga) of Brantford, ON and Paul of Norquay, SK; sisters, Pauline (Paul) Hudye of Kamsack, SK and Anita Mykytuiuk of Saskatoon, SK; brother-in-law, Steve Rudy of Canora, SK; as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
John was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Anastasia (nee Watral); brothers, Mike and Peter; sisters, Ann Bilous, Mary Rudy and Stephania Gazdewich; and granddaughter, Lindsay Benko.
Vigil for John will be held on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Fr. Lawrence Demong, OSB on Friday, March 12, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Both services will be held at Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church, 114 Kingsmere Place, Saskatoon, SK with Rite of Committal to follow at Woodlawn Catholic Cemetery in Saskatoon.
The family extends appreciation to the staff of St. Paul’s Hospital, Saskatoon Cancer Clinic and Dr. Van Zyl for their kindness and great care.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan.
To sign the online book of condolences visit www.parkfuneral.ca. Arrangements entrusted to Greg Lalach of Park Funeral Chapel. 306.244.2103.