Edward 'Ed' Adam Yurkiw

YURKIW, Edward "Ed' Adam Born February 1, 1926 - October 20, 2022, Aged 96 Years. 

Edward ‘Ed’ Adam Yurkiw passed away at the Roblin Health Centre on October 20, 2022 after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Our father, Ed or “steady Eddie” as he was known to some, was born Feb 1, 1926 in Mikado, Sk to Daniel and Mary (Stefaniuk) Yurkiw. Dad was raised on the farm and enjoyed the company of 5 sisters: Anne, Alexandra (Sandra), Martha, Sylvia and Jeanne along with 5 brothers, Lawrence, Nestor, Victor, Murray and Modest.  Their house was filled with good Ukrainian food and musical instruments such as the violin, mandolin and guitar. Dad played guitar in a country band known as “The Drifting Country Boys”, during the years 1951-57.

Dad met Vicky Gurski, while delivering Orange Crush in Canora, SK and soon the “crush” was more than just a soft drink. Mom and dad married in 1958 and moved to Yorkton in 1961 after their first son, David was born. Daughter, Susan and youngest son Dean followed to complete the family.

While working for a farm equipment dealership, Dad won the salesman award – an all expense paid holiday to Miami, FL in 1959. This was truly a highlight of their early life together as they stayed at the Tropicana resort – a belated luxury honeymoon that would not have been affordable on their salary in those days.

After completing his Sheetmetal apprenticeship in Saskatoon in 1966, dad got a job with Prairie Gas, and later moved to Dauphin with Inter City Gas. In 1972, dad got the opportunity to move to the town of Roblin where he quickly settled into his new role as the “gas man”. Being a community minded person, he became a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Fire Department, the Golf Club, Curling club and was famous for cooking pancakes at every fair, rodeo and Museum days on his home-made propane grills.

Dad retired in 1995 after 25 years of service to the company – but shortly after he was called back to work in Brandon which made him so proud as he knew they could not replace his skills and knowledge.

In 2002, dad purchased a home in Kamsack so he could be closer to his family roots and soon took on the task of volunteering at the Pioneer Museum – his efforts recognized by the Queen with a Diamond Jubilee medal for his service 2013. With the golf course right next door, he never had a dull weekend. His days were filled with volunteering, visiting family and taking Sunday drives for mushroom or berry picking and checking out the various restaurants along the way.

In 2020, dad relocated to Maple Manor in Roblin, where he gained a whole new family. With the assistance of Homecare, he was able to live the last two years of his life mostly independently.  While Dad enjoyed the on-site meals, he looked forward to our visits to the 19^th Hole Restaurant where he received excellent service. After he exchanged the car for the scooter, he gained new independence and spent hours at the house working on various projects such as restoring his mother’s 100-year-old singer sewing machine. Preserving family history was of great importance to him as he orchestrated family reunions and documented the Yurkiw family history for future generations to reference.

Dad was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Victoria (2017) and youngest son Dean (2017) and all his siblings, except for his sister, Jeanne Dutchminski of Edmonton.

He is survived by oldest son, David (Doris) and Susan (Dave Yeroschak) both of Winnipeg. He was a devoted grandfather to his grandson, Daniel, and granddaughters, Amanda, Savannah and Sydney and Great grandson, Mason.

In addition, he leaves behind many nieces and nephews, from all across the country.

“You can let go now, daddy – you can let go – it’s time for us to do this on our own.”

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