Obituary of Orest Hryniuk

Dr. Orest Hryniuk was born on April 7, 1933, to Michael and Mary Hryniuk in Middle Lake, Saskatchewan.  That’s him third from the right, 18 years old, cowboy hat sitting rakishly on his head, returning in triumph to Saskatoon having just won the 1951 Canadian Schoolboys Curling Championship (now known as the Canadian Junior Curling Championship).  He passed away on Monday, May 10, 2021, at 88.

Orest’s fondest childhood memories revolved around his much-missed dog Buddy, but he was an athletic man who was supremely confident and relentlessly competitive.  In addition to his curling exploits, which landed him in the Saskatoon and Saskatchewan Sports Halls of Fame, he also excelled at baseball. He was a pitcher in the semi-pro Western Canada Baseball League, playing for various Saskatchewan teams in the 1950s, including the 1952 Saskatoon Gems with teammate Gordie Howe.  He was often the only player on his team who was actually paid, and he was scouted by the Chicago Cubs organization, described as having an arm so strong he could make a baseball look like an aspirin.

Eventually Orest began focusing on his professional career. After graduating from the College of Optometry of Ontario in Toronto in 1958, Orest immediately began practicing in Regina.  Early in his career, he also travelled to Oxbow, Cardiff, Langenberg and Esterhazy.  He worked out of several offices in Regina at various times, finally settling in at 1867 Hamilton Street downtown. He retired a little over fifteen years ago.

Orest married Margaret in 1963.  Although they divorced in 1988, they would become a case study in how to transition from married to divorced like civilized adults and remain on good terms for the benefit of your children, your grandchildren and your own happiness. Orest and Marg had two children: Peter and Michael.

Peter is married to Paula, and together they produced three grandchildren for Orest and Margaret:  Noah, Lucas and Eden.  Michael and his former wife Mozhgan Lapoor produced two grandchildren:  Ariana and Casra, who joined their half-brother Arman Navidi. The cousins can all be found together each Christmas, each Family Day in Kananaskis, Alberta, and each summer at Katepwa Lake, skiing or boating, laughing and playing.  Orest and Margaret were an integral part of these happy holiday occasions, and many warm summer evenings at Katepwa Beach would end with ice cream at Rocco’s.

Orest had an older sister, Mae, who lived in the United States and passed away in 2019.  Orest is survived by his younger brother, Roman, who resides here in Regina. 

Orest passed away at the Grace Hospice in Regina, visited frequently by Michael, Peter, Roman and Margaret.

We don’t know what happens when we pass on, but one hopes Orest is back in Middle Lake now, the hot Saskatchewan sun setting after a long day on the ball diamond, recalling his glory days while playing catch with his best friend named Buddy.  Or was it Rosebud…?