Obituary of George James Tkach

We are sad to announce the sudden but peaceful passing of George Tkach at the age of 93.

George was born in Ukraine and immigrated with his family to a farm near Henribourg, Saskatchewan in 1929. His first job was supplying milk from the family dairy cows to local residents before and after school, seven days a week, establishing a work ethic that would continue throughout his life.

In June 1944, on his 17^th birthday, George joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. After the war he attended the University of Saskatchewan College of Law, graduating in 1954. In 1955, on the day that he was admitted to the Bar, he started his own law practice in southeastern Saskatchewan. He was proud to be able to build a house for his widowed mother so she could move to Prince Albert.

In 1956, George married the love of his life, the beautiful, kind, and clever Beverley (née Lindenbach). They ran the law office side by side until 2014. George’s idea of “retirement” was attending the University of Arkansas to earn a Masters in Agricultural Law (1996) and a Masters in Constitutional Law from Osgoode Hall Law School (2006), while still maintaining a private practice.

It was no coincidence that George built his law office building on 13^th Avenue in Regina across from the downtown YMCA. For decades, running, racquetball, and squash were integral parts of his life, as was chatting with his friends afterwards about world politics in the locker room or at the Hotel Saskatchewan. George also relaxed by puttering about his hobby farm in the Qu’Appelle Valley.

George has often been described as “quite a character,” making an unforgettable impression with his big heart, wit, and love of meeting new people. He was eager to help out the underdog and believed that anything was possible. We remember his fearlessness, candor, love of learning, questioning intellect, and his sense of responsibility towards his clients, friends, and family.

George was predeceased by his parents Fedor and Darka; his brother William; and sisters Roia, Nina (Ed Wyldman), and Anne. He is survived by his wife Beverley; son Tony (Mitsi); daughters Leslie (Takayoshi) and Darca; grandsons Alex (Tania) and Natsukaze; and great-granddaughters Isla and Elowyn.

Thank you to the Pasqua Hospital Palliative Home Care team and Palliative Care Unit for making George’s last days so peaceful.

We have many stories and quotes from George. We will celebrate his life and his impact on our lives at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the YMCA of Regina (https://regina.ymca.ca/donate/).