Obituary of Walter Wawruck

WAWRUCK - On Saturday August 2, 2008 after a long productive life of well over 97 years, Walter peacefully and gently left us to join his wife of 62 years, Adele Gorchynski, who died in November 2002. Walter, the sixth of eight children born to Mary and Maksym Wawruch, pioneers from western Ukraine, was born January 9, 1911 on the family homestead north of Hubbard, Saskatchewan. Married in 1940, Adele and Walter farmed on the homestead until 1945, then moved into town to establish a lumber and construction business, Hubbard Lumber & Supply. Over 21 years of business, Walter Wawruck became well known, respected and trusted among his many customers in a wide trading area encompassing towns and farms up to 40 miles away. His lumber and construction legacy is marked by the many homes and buildings still in use today, and in the stories and memories of his customers, their children and grandchildren. Walter and Adele made significant contributions to their community, through active participation in school, church and public service activities. Mr. Wawruck was instrumental in establishing the parish and building St.Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Hubbard; he served, as Municipal Councilor, on Village Councils, the Ituna Hospital Board, was an active member of the Ituna Lions Club and the local Liberal party association. In 1967, Walter and Adele Wawruck moved to Regina, winding down the lumber business, then building and managing a carwash until 1975. He continued with part-time business and volunteer activities and was a volunteer worker at the Ukrainian Orthodox Auditorium Bingo until very recently. Walter and Adele were curious and adventurous; travelling was an integral way of life. Celebrations with friends and family were always attended regardless of location; grand children were well cared for whether in Thompson, Edmonton or Vancouver. Adventure travel included trips to their parents' villages in Ukraine, across the Soviet Union, Europe, and throughout Canada and the United States. Mr. Wawruck remained personable and genuinely interested in meeting and talking to people wherever he went; and, people continued to recognize and approach him. His Regina home was always open to relatives and friends for short or longer visits. He is lovingly remembered by many friends and relatives, his four children, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren: Walter A.(Marian Gilmour) Wawruck of Vancouver and children Nathan (Emi Tsuruakawa), Alexander and Emily; Iris Bradley of Ottawa; Sylvia (Leonard) Cherneski of Thompson and children Catherine (Michael) Weber, Stefan and Philip; Max (Audrey Shonn) Wawruck of Edmonton and children Maxim, Gillian (Eryn) White and Adrian (Jaime Foley); great grandchildren Caroline Weber, Markus Weber, and Ava White; and special family members Marie Anne Korchinski and Maureen McKenzie. He is survived by his sister Frances Korchinski of Saskatoon and predeceased by sisters Rose Moskal, Sophie Jarvin, Olga Korpus, Eva Samkoe, Caroline Zavediuk and brother Nickolas Wawruck. Both the prayers, 7:00 pm Wednesday, August 6, and funeral service, 10:00 am Thursday, August 7, will be held at the Descent of the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1305 12 Avenue, Regina. Interment, 4:00 pm Thursday, August 7 will be at Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, 4 miles north of Hubbard. Memorial donations in honour of Walter Wawruck may be made to Regina Wascana Grace Hospice, 50 Angus Road, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4R 8P6.