Obituary of Ray William Pacholek

RAY WILLIAM PACHOLEK On August 19, 2012, with his family close by, Ray peacefully passed away. Ray will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 52 years, Sonja (Makow); his daughters Patti and Paula; sister Olga (Dave) Postnikoff and their sons Larry and Davy and their families; brother in law Don (Marje) Makow and their son Ryan and his family. Ray grew up in Saskatoons west end attending Bedford Road Collegiate and the University of Saskatchewan. In 1966 Ray and his family moved to Regina where he spent the next 30 years working with the federal department of Indian and Northern Affairs. Ray enjoyed a long, active and healthy retirement. Ray was an avid hunter and fisherman and a long time volunteer with Ducks Unlimited. Ray was passionate about music and played first mandolin in the Regina Community Orchestra and the Regina Mandolin Orchestra. He was the treasurer for the Saskatchewan Orchestral Association and a proud member of the Classical Mandolin Society of America. Proud of his Ukrainian heritage, Ray kept in close contact with his relatives in the Ukraine. He was instrumental in the development of a Ukrainian immersion program in the Regina Public School system. Ray enjoyed teaching Ukrainian folk dancing and he himself danced with the Chabun Dance Ensemble. In between playing in concerts, venturing to his cabin in northern Saskatchewan and attending Rider games, Ray was often spotted tending his massive vegetable garden. His green thumb guaranteed a plentiful harvest of tomatoes, pumpkins and potatoes. Prayers for Ray will be held at Descent of the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1305 12th Avenue, Regina on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 7:00 pm. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, August 24, 2012 at 10:30am, also at the church. There will be a private interment at a later date. Flowers most gratefully declined. Friends so wishing may make donations in Rays memory to a memorial fund for the Regina Mandolin Orchestra, c/o Richard Gustin, 2226 McTavish Street, Regina, SK, S4T 3X2. For messages of condolence - www.speersfuneralchapel.com Vichnaya Pamyat - Memory Eternal