John Charles ThacykSeptember 7, 1947 - August 15, 2012
The death of Mr. John Charles Thacyk of Watson, SK, occurred at Pasqua Hospital, Regina, SK, on Wednesday, August 15, 2012. He was 64 years of age. John was the oldest of six children born to Joseph and Doreen Thacyk, residing at Watson his whole life. He attended Early Dawn country school, and continued on to high school in Watson. He enjoyed cars and curling and hockey. John met Katherine Crook in 1967 when she moved to Watson to work as a hairdresser. They were married in Humboldt on July 20, 1968 and raised five children. John's early adulthood was spent doing carpentry work and cabinet making. In 1975 he joined the Town of Watson and eventually became Town Foreman. John played hockey with the Watson Warriors, coached ball and hockey, was an associate member of the Royal Canadian Legion, and was as big a booster of the community as Watson has ever had. He loved his Town, the people and the history. In 1996, John received a Meritorious Service Award from SUMA for his work with the Town, and in 2003 was named Watson's Citizen of the Year. He received the Saskatchewan Public Works Association Award of Merit in 1993 and was named the Saskatchewan Public Works Association Person of the Year in 2009. John would make friends wherever he went he was the "Coca-Cola Guy" to the people who knew him from auctions and flea markets. He enjoyed garage sales to search for antiques, meandering country roads looking for old stores and gas stations and going "picking". He loved the family farm where he grew up and retained ownership of the farmyard. He found it peaceful there and took great pleasure with his sons and grandchildren making trails and driving quads and target shooting. He liked experiencing anything new and different, and especially liked to travel. In 2008, he and Kathy traveled to the Isle of Mann and England and he talked of going back. More recent trips included driving east to Niagara Falls, and flying west to Victoria. After retiring in 2009 after nearly 36 years of public service, John became more family focussed spending time fishing and camping with his children's families, and attending the sporting events of his seven grandchildren. His cancer diagnosis in March 2012 didn't get him down; he continued with his interests and looked at it as he would any sort of project something that needed to be made right; a problem that needed to be fixed. He was nearly done his chemotherapy treatments, and looking forward to putting cancer behind him and regaining his energy to do all the things he loved. However, complications from the treatments compromised his health. While he was expected to recover from what was initially thought to be a minor setback, it was not to be. He died peacefully with his wife and children at his side, surrounded in love. John will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 44 years, Katherine (nee Crook) Thacyk of Watson; two daughters and three sons: Lorri Thacyk (Dean Alexander) of Regina and family, Tate, Erin and Ben; Cheryl (Greg) Matravolgyi of Regina and family, Jordan, Caleb and Lucas; Glenn (Leanne) Thacyk of Watson and son Ryker; Ryan (Meagan) Thacyk and Randal Thacyk (Jennifer McKnight), all of Regina; one brother and three sisters: Gerald Thacyk (Sharon Goetken), Donna Taylor (Chris Betker), Marleen (Charlie) Coppens, and Colleen (Jack) Glazebrook; and also by numerous nieces, nephews, and members of his wife's family. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Doreen (nee Mitchell) Thacyk; and by brother, Brian Thacyk. The Prayer Service for John was held on Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 7:30 p.m., presided by Wanda Bryce and Milt Kerpan. Others taking part were: Laurie Sproule, organist; Donna Taylor and Cheryl Matravolgyi, scripture readers; Jordan Matravolgyi, intentions; Lorri Thacyk, words of remembrance. The Funeral Mass was offered on Monday, August 20, 2012 at 10:00 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Darryl Millette. Both services were held at Sacred Heart R.C. Church, Watson, SK. Others taking part were: Caleb Matravolgyi and Tate Alexander, cross bearers; Lucas Matravolgyi and Ben Alexander, candle bearers; Leanne Thacyk and Cheryl Matravolgyi, scripture readers; Jordan Matravolgyi, intentions; Erin Alexander and Meagan Thacyk, gift bearers; Sacred Heart Parish Choir, music ministry. Honorary pallbearers were "All those who shared in John's life." Active pallbearers were Glenn, Ryan, Randal and Gerald Thacyk, Dean Alexander and Greg Matravolgyi. Interment followed at the Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Pasqua Hospital (Intensive Care Unit or Allan Blair Cancer Centre) Regina, SK., or Sacred Heart Memorial Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.