Sylvester Alexander Hawryluk

 

In Loving Memory of

Sylvester Alexander Hawryluk

1920 - 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is with great sadness that the family of Sylvester Alexander Hawryluk announces his passing to be with the Good Lord on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at Roblin District Health Centre in Roblin, Manitoba. 

 

Sylvester was born December 1, 1920 on a farm a few miles north of Roblin to Alexander and Katherine (nee Yakimishyn) Hawryluk.  He was educated at a rural school called Gleneden. After finishing his grade eight, at fourteen years of age, he was not asked if he wanted to further his education, so he stayed home to help his father with farming.  He was a hard worker; things were done manually and with horses - not as now a days everything is done with power.

 

Sylvester was very talented musically. He played an accordion in an orchestra at dances for fifty cents a night, which was the rate in those days.

 

Sylvester was very devoted to his church. He sang in the church choir. He was secretary for his church for thirty years. He never missed church service and never went to bed without saying his prayers, even when he was very ill in bed he would be seen praying "May the Lord be with me."

 

On November 6, 1949 Sylvester married the love of his life, Mary Solotwinski, and on November 6, 2012 they celebrated their 63rd anniversary. The union was blessed with one son, Gerald Sylvester, and later two grandsons Gerald Michael Hawryluk and Christopher George Hawryluk. Sylvester loved his family dearly and was always there to help them out as much as he could. His favourite pastime was watching wrestling.

 

In 1979 Sylvester and Mary purchased a house in Roblin to retire, he rented his land but left the home quarter so he could go and farm from town; he called it hobby farming. Sylvester loved planting and caring for his garden on the farm.

 

Later Sylvester and Mary enjoyed taking bus tours. Their first one was to the 1986 World Expo in Vancouver where he also visited with his sister. He also took bus tours to the Florida Kennedy Space Centre, New Orleans, and Yellow Stone National Park. A year later they went to California, Arizona, Mexico and the Hoover Dam. Another trip took Sylvester to Alaska, and the Maritime Provinces which included Prince Edward Island.In 2001 Sylvester and his son, Gerald, went to Australia to visit with his cousin, Luba Waladymir Galashchuk, in Melbourne, which he enjoyed very much. His last trip was to the Ukraine.

 

Sylvester is survived by his wife Mary Hawryluk of Roblin, his grandsons, Gerald Michael Hawryluk of Regina, Saskatchewan, and Christopher George Hawryluk (Crystal Molly) of Leduc, Alberta, his four great-grandchildren, Jasmine, Hailey, Christopher, and Jaxon, his brothers-in-law, Nick (Olga) Solotwinski of Roblin, Andrew Solotwinski of Houston, BC, and Jerry Barida, of Windsor, Ontario, his sister-in-law Liz Hawryluk of Roblin, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family.

 

Sylvester was pre-deceased by his son Gerald Sylvester Hawryluk on March 31, 2002, Parents Alexander and Katherine Hawryluk, Brother Borden Hawryluk and sisters Mary Holochuk, Olga Bereda and Starlet.Hawryluk.

 

Prayer Vigil Service was held Monday, May 20, 2013 at 7:00 PM from the Chapel of Nairn-Chyz Funeral Home in Roblin.

 

Sylvester’s Funeral Service was held Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 10:00 AM from St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Roblin, with Rev. Fr. Brent Kuzyk officiating, assisted by the Orthodox Church Choir. The Sacristan was Russell Nykolaishyn. The Cross Bearer was Alex Kurchak and Banner Bearers were Nelson Daneluk and Mervin Nykyforak.

 

Casket Bearers were Gerald Hawryluk, Christopher Hawryluk, Terry Hawryluk, Bill Solotwinski, Peter Wyss, and Peter Goba. Everyone in attendance at the funeral was asked to consider themselves as Honorary Casket Bearers. 

 

Following the Internment Service at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Parish Cemetery in Roblin, a memorial dinner was served from the lower hall of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

 

May God embrace Sylvester in His loving arms and may he rest in peace. We love you dearly Sylvester.

Vichnaya Pam’ Yat  -  Eternal Memory

 

 

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.

I'm following paths God laid for me.

I took His hand, I heard Him call

And turned and bid farewell to all.

I could not stay another day,

to laugh, to love, to work and play,

tasks left undone must stay that way.

I found my peace, … at close of day.

And if my parting left a void,

then fill it with remembering joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.

Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened… deep with sorrow,

I wish you sunshine for tomorrow.

My life's been full… I've savoured much,

Good friends, good times… A loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all to brief,

Don't lengthen it with undue grief.

Lift your heart… and share with me,

God wants me now… He set me free.

 

 

NAIRN-CHYZ FUNERAL HOME

Entrusted with Arrangements

Roblin’s Only Locally Owned

and Family Operated Funeral Home

(204) 937-2111

nairn-chyzfuneralhome.com