In Memory of
Victor Peter
Shewchuk
Shewchuk
1924 - 2015
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Blair's Funeral Home Ltd.
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
View full message >>>
Obituary for Victor Peter Shewchuk
Victor Peter Shewchuk was born on February 12, 1924 in Tway, Saskatchewan, the fifth child for Mary (nee Kostiuk) and John Shewchuk. He moved with his family to farm in the Prairie River area around Muncey in 1939. He was a best friend to his brother John Jr., and the two quickly developed their music talents to play violin and guitar. Between stints as working as farm hands and labourers, Victor would ride horses or hop freight trains to play at dances around the area, coming back home at dawn to start the work day again.
After various jobs through his youth across Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Victor settled down to farm in Prairie River. He met the attractive Marcia Zwozda at a local dance and quickly married her in 1953. They went on to raise a family of five children. In 1967, the family moved to Yellow Creek where Victor started a second career as grain buyer for Searle Grain. The family continued on to Gronlid with Federal Grain, then finally to Hudson Bay in 1972 as agent for Pioneer Grain.
Victor had an strong work ethic, holding a full time day job while also farming every weekend for most of his working life. Those times were also augmented by his true passion - moonlighting with his bands The Western Four then later the Twilight Ramblers. Victor lived for the thrill of performing traditional Ukrainian folk music as well as popular country hits. He and his band played not only weddings and dances for decades, but regularly performed at local fairs, the senior's homes and hospital, and other community events.
Victor and Marcia were active in the community. He was a faithful member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, and later on the Knights of Columbus. He retired first from farming in 1986 then from the mill in 1989. Despite his own health battles with major heart attacks and a near fatal fall in 1982, Victor faced his greatest emotional challenge during the unexpected illness and passing of his beloved Marcia in 1992. Victor persevered, and found comfort in his extended family and friends. Victor loved telling stories and jokes, music, and the outdoors, and people loved him for his welcoming and easy going spirit, his quick wit, and his hospitality. He loved to tinker and invent, and became a prolific builder of purple martin bird houses. He was always the first to grab his fishing rod, berry picking basket, or violin to share a moment with his huge network of friends.
Victor was predeceased by his parents: John (1956) and Mary (1982); wife Marcia (1992); brothers: John and Walter; sister Anne; brothers-in-law: Walter Kisil, Alex Kowal, Bill Kowal, Harry Gel and Joe Ferleyko. He is survived by children: Colleen (Larry) Stelmaschuk, Debbie (Joe) Frison, Terry (Julie) Shewchuk, Valerie (David) Flamand, and Darrin (Susan) Shewchuk; sisters: Eva Kisil, Nellie Ferleyko and Alice Gel; in-laws: Ann Shewchuk, Orest (Rose) Zwozda, and Olga Zwozda; 12 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
After various jobs through his youth across Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Victor settled down to farm in Prairie River. He met the attractive Marcia Zwozda at a local dance and quickly married her in 1953. They went on to raise a family of five children. In 1967, the family moved to Yellow Creek where Victor started a second career as grain buyer for Searle Grain. The family continued on to Gronlid with Federal Grain, then finally to Hudson Bay in 1972 as agent for Pioneer Grain.
Victor had an strong work ethic, holding a full time day job while also farming every weekend for most of his working life. Those times were also augmented by his true passion - moonlighting with his bands The Western Four then later the Twilight Ramblers. Victor lived for the thrill of performing traditional Ukrainian folk music as well as popular country hits. He and his band played not only weddings and dances for decades, but regularly performed at local fairs, the senior's homes and hospital, and other community events.
Victor and Marcia were active in the community. He was a faithful member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, and later on the Knights of Columbus. He retired first from farming in 1986 then from the mill in 1989. Despite his own health battles with major heart attacks and a near fatal fall in 1982, Victor faced his greatest emotional challenge during the unexpected illness and passing of his beloved Marcia in 1992. Victor persevered, and found comfort in his extended family and friends. Victor loved telling stories and jokes, music, and the outdoors, and people loved him for his welcoming and easy going spirit, his quick wit, and his hospitality. He loved to tinker and invent, and became a prolific builder of purple martin bird houses. He was always the first to grab his fishing rod, berry picking basket, or violin to share a moment with his huge network of friends.
Victor was predeceased by his parents: John (1956) and Mary (1982); wife Marcia (1992); brothers: John and Walter; sister Anne; brothers-in-law: Walter Kisil, Alex Kowal, Bill Kowal, Harry Gel and Joe Ferleyko. He is survived by children: Colleen (Larry) Stelmaschuk, Debbie (Joe) Frison, Terry (Julie) Shewchuk, Valerie (David) Flamand, and Darrin (Susan) Shewchuk; sisters: Eva Kisil, Nellie Ferleyko and Alice Gel; in-laws: Ann Shewchuk, Orest (Rose) Zwozda, and Olga Zwozda; 12 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
