Obituary for Stephen Edward "Steve" Chubak
Steve Edward Chubak was born to Peter and Frances Chubak on August 19 of 1929 in Cudworth, Sask. He grew up on the family farm which was 4 miles north of Yellow Creek. He had two older brothers, Ben and Bill, a younger brother John and two sisters, Mary and Alice. He attended North Invergordon School, but had to drop out, to help on the farm at an early age. Steve was very talented, even from an early age, and taught himself to play the violin at 9 years old. Sadly, he lost his brother Ben from diabetes in 1945, and this weighed on him for many years. Steve became very good at farm mechanics, and it seemed that anything he put his mind to doing he could accomplish.
In October 1948, he married Josephine Kowdrysh, and the young couple soon started a family with Edward being born in July of 1949. They pulled up roots and took on a grand adventure for a young family in those days, by moving to Toronto, Ontario. Dad started working for Massey Harris and they noticed his unique learning ability and he became a Welder. His second son, Eugene was born in Toronto in 1951. Dad enjoyed his time in Toronto very much, evening going to a Hank Williams concert. Health issues forced him to leave Toronto and the young family moved back to Sask. in 1953. Dad traded a brand new 1953 Ford One Ton truck for the Family farm which he called home for the next 60+ years.
Dad's third son, Carl was born in October of 1954. Dad farmed with Mom on stony land but made the best of it. He loved farming, but his real passion always remained playing the violin. He was always an avid hunter and fisherman, and in his early years also trapped wild animals. As time allowed, he would try to teach his skills to his young sons. Ed became an accomplished musician in his own right. Carl learned to play an accordion and became quite skilled at hunting as well. All of the boys learned how to hunt with Dad, and also fishing, of which Eugene became the most devoted fisherman, with Carl a close second. Fred was born in June of 1960 and Terry was born in May of 1966, Dad was so happy, 5 boys, so someone to take over the family farm. Although Dad was very happy with his five sons, he did question what the secret might be in order to have a daughter. Unfortunately, a daughter, Joanne, was taken away before could even welcome her into his loving arms. He silently carried this sadness with him the rest of his life.
With Dad's love of music he was in three different bands throughout his life with the most successful being the Western Four. He played dances, anniversaries, and mostly weddings with Victor Sewchuk, Victor Oleksyn, and Ed Semeniuk. They wore Red Suits, and Dad was always so proud of them. His last wish was to be buried in his Red Suit of which he wore so many times over the years. Dad's hands started to stiffen up with arthritis, so ending his band playing days but not playing well into his 80's to entertain family members.
Dad was blessed with 9 Grandchildren and 13 Great Grandchildren over the years and he deeply loved every one of them. Dad suffered a stroke in 2003, and it had a lasting effect on his speech ability, and his ability to play music. He did his best but always felt that people could no longer understand his speech and it bothered him. We all tried to reassure him that it was okay. Sadly, Josephine, the love of his life passed away unexpectedly in June of 2006 and although he tried not to show it to us, he was deeply saddened by this for the remainder of his life. He mentioned many times how much he missed Mom. Eventually, he sold the farm and moved to Melfort and rented a small house.
Dad then moved to Caskey Place in Melfort and once diagnosed with Dementia, he moved to Parkland Place. He was in Parkland Place until a week before his passing, and he just loved it there. The Staff became his new family, and they also enjoyed having him as their guest. Dad passed away at the Melfort Hospital on September 18. God Bless you Dad, you will forever be missed. Your warmth touched so many lives in your 93 years.
Steve will be lovingly remembered by his five sons; Edward (Ida) of Villeneuve, AB, Eugene (Frances) of Prince Albert, SK, Carl (Diane) of Crystal Springs, SK, Fred (Bonnie) of Prince Albert, SK, and Terry of Star City, SK. Steve also leaves nine grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, one sister; Alice Kowal of Flin Flon, MB, sisters-in-law; Vera Kowdrysh of Saskatoon, SK, Katie Williams of Bramalea, ON, Frances (Marcel) Voisin of Cranbrook, BC, brothers-in-law; Nick Kowdrysh of Etobicoke, ON, Fred Kowdrysh of Mississauga, ON, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Steve was predeceased by his parents, his wife Josephine (nee Kowdrysh), one daughter; Joanne, brothers; Peter, Ben, Bill (William), and John, sister; Mary, sisters-in-law; Mary and Anne, and brothers-in-law; Walter, Neville, Ed and Johnny.
On behalf of our Dad, Gido and Great Gido, Steve Chubak, we would like to thank the following people for their care, compassion and guidance to Steve in his last three years.
Melfort Health Authority, Dr. Omolambe, Adele.
Melfort Home Care, Margaret Bradley, Debbie Ueland and Staff.
Parkland Place, Angela Phillips, Tanya Ingham, Lori Hinz, and the incredible support staff at Parkland Place for making Dad feel so loved and cared for. We will forever be indebted to all of you.
Melfort Hospital, Dr. Beresh, Angela, Julien,Coral and all the other wonderful nurses and support staff who helped ease Dad's pain during his final days with us. You are forever in our hearts.
Fedusiak Funeral Chapel, Darren Fedusiak and Staff, for their help in Dad's final journey, and Father Andrei Kachur.
Friends so wishing may make memorial contributions to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan.
In October 1948, he married Josephine Kowdrysh, and the young couple soon started a family with Edward being born in July of 1949. They pulled up roots and took on a grand adventure for a young family in those days, by moving to Toronto, Ontario. Dad started working for Massey Harris and they noticed his unique learning ability and he became a Welder. His second son, Eugene was born in Toronto in 1951. Dad enjoyed his time in Toronto very much, evening going to a Hank Williams concert. Health issues forced him to leave Toronto and the young family moved back to Sask. in 1953. Dad traded a brand new 1953 Ford One Ton truck for the Family farm which he called home for the next 60+ years.
Dad's third son, Carl was born in October of 1954. Dad farmed with Mom on stony land but made the best of it. He loved farming, but his real passion always remained playing the violin. He was always an avid hunter and fisherman, and in his early years also trapped wild animals. As time allowed, he would try to teach his skills to his young sons. Ed became an accomplished musician in his own right. Carl learned to play an accordion and became quite skilled at hunting as well. All of the boys learned how to hunt with Dad, and also fishing, of which Eugene became the most devoted fisherman, with Carl a close second. Fred was born in June of 1960 and Terry was born in May of 1966, Dad was so happy, 5 boys, so someone to take over the family farm. Although Dad was very happy with his five sons, he did question what the secret might be in order to have a daughter. Unfortunately, a daughter, Joanne, was taken away before could even welcome her into his loving arms. He silently carried this sadness with him the rest of his life.
With Dad's love of music he was in three different bands throughout his life with the most successful being the Western Four. He played dances, anniversaries, and mostly weddings with Victor Sewchuk, Victor Oleksyn, and Ed Semeniuk. They wore Red Suits, and Dad was always so proud of them. His last wish was to be buried in his Red Suit of which he wore so many times over the years. Dad's hands started to stiffen up with arthritis, so ending his band playing days but not playing well into his 80's to entertain family members.
Dad was blessed with 9 Grandchildren and 13 Great Grandchildren over the years and he deeply loved every one of them. Dad suffered a stroke in 2003, and it had a lasting effect on his speech ability, and his ability to play music. He did his best but always felt that people could no longer understand his speech and it bothered him. We all tried to reassure him that it was okay. Sadly, Josephine, the love of his life passed away unexpectedly in June of 2006 and although he tried not to show it to us, he was deeply saddened by this for the remainder of his life. He mentioned many times how much he missed Mom. Eventually, he sold the farm and moved to Melfort and rented a small house.
Dad then moved to Caskey Place in Melfort and once diagnosed with Dementia, he moved to Parkland Place. He was in Parkland Place until a week before his passing, and he just loved it there. The Staff became his new family, and they also enjoyed having him as their guest. Dad passed away at the Melfort Hospital on September 18. God Bless you Dad, you will forever be missed. Your warmth touched so many lives in your 93 years.
Steve will be lovingly remembered by his five sons; Edward (Ida) of Villeneuve, AB, Eugene (Frances) of Prince Albert, SK, Carl (Diane) of Crystal Springs, SK, Fred (Bonnie) of Prince Albert, SK, and Terry of Star City, SK. Steve also leaves nine grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, one sister; Alice Kowal of Flin Flon, MB, sisters-in-law; Vera Kowdrysh of Saskatoon, SK, Katie Williams of Bramalea, ON, Frances (Marcel) Voisin of Cranbrook, BC, brothers-in-law; Nick Kowdrysh of Etobicoke, ON, Fred Kowdrysh of Mississauga, ON, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Steve was predeceased by his parents, his wife Josephine (nee Kowdrysh), one daughter; Joanne, brothers; Peter, Ben, Bill (William), and John, sister; Mary, sisters-in-law; Mary and Anne, and brothers-in-law; Walter, Neville, Ed and Johnny.
On behalf of our Dad, Gido and Great Gido, Steve Chubak, we would like to thank the following people for their care, compassion and guidance to Steve in his last three years.
Melfort Health Authority, Dr. Omolambe, Adele.
Melfort Home Care, Margaret Bradley, Debbie Ueland and Staff.
Parkland Place, Angela Phillips, Tanya Ingham, Lori Hinz, and the incredible support staff at Parkland Place for making Dad feel so loved and cared for. We will forever be indebted to all of you.
Melfort Hospital, Dr. Beresh, Angela, Julien,Coral and all the other wonderful nurses and support staff who helped ease Dad's pain during his final days with us. You are forever in our hearts.
Fedusiak Funeral Chapel, Darren Fedusiak and Staff, for their help in Dad's final journey, and Father Andrei Kachur.
Friends so wishing may make memorial contributions to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan.