MARKEWICH - At the age of 94 years, William Markewich, beloved husband of Anne Markewich of Norquay, SK passed away at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre on September 8, 2015.
William was born on December 11, 1920, in the Norquay District to John and Anastasia (Andrusiak) Markewich. He attended school south of Norquay and completed Grade 11 while helping out on the family farm. After completing his education, he obtained employment with the CN railway in Northern Ontario from 1936-1942.
Following this, he enlisted in the army and was stationed outside of Winnipeg. In January 1944, he shipped out and was stationed in England, France, Holland and Germany. He was discharged in the fall of 1946 and returned to Winnipeg and then came home. One of William’s favourite memories was seeing his family again after all of the years he was away. It’s a memory he would never forget. When he drove into the family farm, Paul and Metro came running out to see who had arrived. They stopped in their tracks, as they did not recognize him. They ran back into the house to get their mom. When she came out it brought tears to his eyes and the memory of that happy reunion continued to bring tears to his every time he retold this story. Paul and Metro were sent to get dad from the field as work was done for the day and all the neighbours came over for a celebration.
After the war, William courted Anne Olenick and they were married on July 25, 1947 and were blessed with four children: Charles, Jacalyn, Dale and David. They farmed in the Norquay area. William also worked for the RM of Keys and eventually he and Anne even opened up a restaurant.
In 1950, William started with the Sask Wheat Pool as a grain buyer and retired from this position in 1983 after 33 years with the company. William loved to fish and every summer he bundled the family up and headed to the lake. He also enjoyed picking mushrooms and berries and was very proud of his braided garlic skeins. He was known to give them out to other fellow garlic lovers. William was actively involved with the church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus as well as the Royal Canadian Legion, Norquay Branch, and a member of the N.I.C.E. Centre where William and Anne spent a few afternoons each week visiting with friends and playing cards.
Until the last few weeks, William was active in the community and fortunate to be able to enjoy life to the fullest. He had a great sense of humour and loved to share a joke. This continued even during his recent health issues. When asked if he would change anything if he could live his life over again, he said he wouldn’t change a thing - he had no regrets. He said even though there were hard times, there were many happy times as well. William and Anne loved and welcomed company and loved spending time with their family.
He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. William was predeceased by his parents, John and Anastasia; his son, Charles; siblings: Steve, Paul, Anne, Mary, Elizabeth and Helen; and in infancy, his granddaughter, Rhiannna Polowich. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Anne; his daughter, Jacalyn (Brian) Polowich of Norquay and their children: Lindsay (David Haack), Kirsten, Duran, Dylan (Alanna Kazakoff); son, Dale (Janie) and their children: Daniel, Katherine, Juliane and Thomas; son, David (Heather) and their children: Logan and Larissa; grandson, Leslie and his children: Lauren and Andrew and granddaughter, Leanne and her children: Isabelle and Charlie; brothers: Joe, Mike, Nick (Jane), and Metro (Nettie); sisters: Olga (Mike Cherewyk), Sophie (John), and Veronica Sikorski; as well as extended family, Melvin (Helen) Yaganiski, Betty (Steve) Markewich, and Jean (Paul) Markewich.
Prayers were held on Friday, September 11, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. and Funeral Liturgy was celebrated on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. both from Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church, Norquay, with Rev. Fr. Ivan Derkach as Celebrant. Rite of Committal followed in the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, southwest of Norquay, SK. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church or to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #351, as tokens of remembrance in memory of William Markewich. Family and friends unable to attend are invited to sign an on-line guest book for William at www.lesonsfuneralhome.ca. Arrangements were entrusted to LESON’S FUNERAL HOME, Canora.
