Albert Bernard MerkoskyMarch 29, 1924 - July 28, 2012
The death of Albert Merkosky of St. Mary's Villa, Humboldt, SK; occurred at his residence on Saturday July 28, 2012. He was 88 years of age. Albert, the second eldest of 11 children, was born on March 29, 1924 to Charles and Helen (nee Gurski) Merkosky in the Burr District. As a young boy he attended Mile End School. As a young man, Albert quickly learned the value of hard work, faith in God and the value of family and friends from his parents and older relatives. Many times, Albert as well as his brothers and sisters would do chores in the morning, attend church at St. Scholastica, and then walk back to the church grounds to play ball with his cousins and neighbours after which they would rush home to do supper chores and be ready to start all over again the following week with chores, gardening and sometimes helping out the neighbors if needed. The Mount Carmel pilgrimage was very important to the family and the odd time Albert would ride his bike and his sister Clara would walk to attend. Every summer all the brothers and sisters would attend two weeks of catechism at St. Scholastica. After his school years, Albert worked in Ontario during the winters, until he was able to buy his own farm. He was a true farmer and loved spending many long hours on the land. Albert married Evelyn Lutz of the Carmel District on October 11, 1949 and they were blessed with two children, Richard and Darlene. Albert did a lot of volunteer work over the years which included: councillor for the R.M. of Wolverine, member of the Knights of Columbus, Royal Canadian Legion and Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, he also sang in the choir and was usher for the St. Scholastica and St. Augustine parishes, and would help cut the Christmas trees for the nativity. Albert was known as Pap or Pappy by Darlene's boys, and Opa by Richard's children. He really enjoyed watching them all become the fine people they are today. Albert will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 62 years, Evelyn (nee Lutz) Merkosky of Humboldt; two children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren: Richard (Monica) Merkosky of Humboldt and family, Simon, Jacob, Luke (Joanna) and Hannah (Braeden); and Darlene Derouin of Wynyard and family, Jason (Vanessa) and their son Devin, Curtis (Bonnie) and their daughters Daytonna and Dalyla, Travis, and Zachery; five sisters and two brothers, Clara Saretsky, Helen Dobni, Chris Dust, Marie Korte, Doreen Sotnikow, Edward Merkosky and Bernard Merkosky; sisters and brothers-in-law, Johanna Merkosky, Rose Merkosky, Annette Heisler, Anita Lutz, Lorna Lutz, Benno Korte, Ozzie Lutz, Wilf Heisler, Herb Flanagan; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Helen (nee Gurski) Merkosky; brother Leo Merkosky, sisters: Bertha Muench and Frances Merkosky; parents-in-law, Otto and Matilda Lutz; sisters-and-brothers-in-law: Leona Flanagan, Elenora Lutz, Anthony Lutz, William Wynnyk, Florence Wynnyk, Lorraine Merkosky, Arnold "Boots" Dust, Hugo Muench, Chester Dobni, Theodore Lutz, Alfred Saretsky, Jim Sotnikow, Irene Kostyna; nieces and nephews, Carla Flanagan, Laurie Dust, Deborah Menz, Barry Dobni, Brian Saretsky, Ryan Merkosky. The Prayer Service for Albert was held at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Monday, July 30, 2012, at 7:30 p.m., led by Walter Sarauer and organist Kathy Phillips. Scripture readers were Gerald Saretsky and Ozzie Lutz and the eulogy was delivered by Darlene Derouin. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church on Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., celebrated by Fr. Ephraim Mensah. Others taking part were: Hannah Merkosky, crossbearer; Michael Wynnyk and Dianne Gantner, scripture readers; Richard Merkosky, intentions; Helen Dobni and Clara Saretsky, giftbearers. An honor guard was formed by members of the Knights of Columbus. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Albert's life." Active pallbearers were Jacob Merkosky, Luke Merkosky, Jason Derouin, Travis Derouin, Zachary Derouin, and Rob Muench. Interment followed at St. Augustine R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to either the St. Mary's Villa Foundation or the St. Augustine Parish Building Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.