Nickolas Osecki was born May 16, 1925 in the Ukraine. In April 1928, he came to Canada with his mother Tekla aboard the “MEGANTIC” (a sister ship to the famed “TITANIC”). Arriving in Halifax at Pier 21, they travelled by train to Crooked River, SK, which was the end of the rail at that time. A friend, Nick Zenuk took a team and wagon to meet them and bring them to the homestead to join Nick’s father Andrew, who emigrated earlier in August 1925, working for farmers and on the railroad to earn enough money to send for his family. Their homestead was 1 mile east and 1/2 mile north of Porcupine Plain, SK.
At an early age Nick worked on the farm: breaking land, grubbing roots, cutting cordwood, planting crops and tending cattle, as did most kids his age during those times. He took his elementary education in Porcupine Plain, SK and took up farming later. After harvest, he and other friends would travel to Ontario to work in the winter, usually on construction. He worked on a Hydro Electric dam project there and in Saskatchewan on grain elevator construction. Not being afraid of heights, his job among many was to paint the company’s name on the elevator, while sitting on a plank suspended by ropes, swaying in the wind, dangerous work!
On October 26, 1951, Nick married Lily Dulyk. In 1952, he bought the Lestock Hotel and ran it with help from his parents, while coming back to Porcupine Plain in the spring and fall to farm. He sold the hotel in 1959 and moved to farm 1 1/2 miles north of town and raised a family of five: David, Clarence, Terry, Murray and Christine.
He played baseball and hockey in his younger years and enjoyed watching “Hockey Night in Canada” on TV every Saturday night, cheering his favorite team the Toronto Maple Leafs and later the Edmonton Oilers when Wayne Gretzky played there. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, Moose hunting North of Prairie River, camping, and taking the family on trips all over Canada. But the thing he enjoyed the most was fishing, for anything, anywhere, anytime with his favorite fishing partner, his wife Lily.
In his later years, winters found Nick early in the morning with his lunch heading off to spend the day in his ice shack on Steiestol Lake, trying to catch those elusive Rainbow Trout. He would go day after day, all winter long, never running out of patience; a true fisherman!
In 2011, Nick and Lily moved off the farm into a house in town, where he resided until ill health forced him to move to the Red Deer Nursing Home.
Nick was predeceased by his father Andrew in1966; and mother Tekla in 1993.; great-grandchildren: Baby Boy Osecki/Wright, Emmett Osecki and Rory Osecki. Nick is survived by his loving wife Lily; children: Dave (Marie), Clarence (Janice), Terry (Melony), Murray (Gleniss), Christine (Laryl); grandchildren: Errol, Nathan, Elesha, Devon, Jenifier, Ashley, Dustin, Jordan, Jenna and Jared; along with 7 great-grandchildren.


A Long Life Well Lived… Rest In Peace