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John Sopotyk
May 15, 1924 - August 21, 2016
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<div itemprop="description">John passed away peacefully at St. Paul’s Hospital on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at the age of 92 years. <br><br>Popsie leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving daughter, Suzanne (Ron) Skwarchuk; grandchildren Jonathan and Sarah of Saskatoon, SK. He is survived by one sister-in-law, Lillian Kochan of Wakaw, SK; nieces and nephews, cousins and many special friends. <br><br>John was pre-deceased by his loving wife, Marie (nee Kochan); his daughter, Kathleen Marie; his parents, Mytro and Helen (Kalyn) Sopotyk; and one sister, Mary (Yaris) Kotyk. <br><br>John was born May 15, 1924, in Saskatoon, SK and attended Pleasant Hill School and Bedford Road Collegiate. He received his Teacher’s Certificate from Saskatoon Normal School which led to his first teaching position at Virtue School, 10 miles north of Saskatoon. He served three years overseas in the Canadian Armed Forces during World War II. Upon his return, he attended the University of Saskatchewan, College of Commerce. In 1951, he accepted a position as an Accountant and then later as the Assistant Administrator at Canora, Norquay and Invermay Union Hospitals. While there, he met ``the love of his life,`` a beautiful nurse named Marie; they were married on September 6, 1953. In 1964, he was promoted to Hospital Administrator, a position that he held until his retirement in 1991. <br><br>John and Marie raised their family in Canora and while there, he held many executive and professional positions within the Health Region and the community. He served as a Director of Medical Services Inc. He was a Master of the Canora Lodge Masons and was involved in Wa-Wa-Shrine, Royal Canadian Legion, Gateway Lodge, Canora Road Ambulance Board and United Appeal. He was the Secretary of the Building Committee of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canora and an active member of TYC. <br><br>John and Marie made the move to Saskatoon to be close to Suzanne. They quickly became part of the Delaronde Crescent community, making friendships that endure to this day. Their circle of friends grew as members of the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. They had a warm, inviting home where they enjoyed gardening and their manicured yard was John`s pride and joy. He attended cooking and woodworking classes and was proud of his projects. His involvement with the Saskatoon Central Lodge and the Shrine Club along with the Clown Unit. Shmoe had a great smile and went to Clown College to hone his natural abilities and used his skills at parades, Christmas parties and festivals. During this time, John became the primary caregiver to Marie during her illness, all the while being his grandchildren`s biggest fan, attending their sports events, dance and piano recitals - when he wasn’t there the other parents wondered why. He rarely missed an event. In 2011, John moved to Preston Park Retirement Residence – he loved his new home, the staff and many friends there. He participated in all the events especially swimming or he called it paddling in the pool three times a week.<br>John loved to travel with Marie and later his grandchildren to warm, sunny destinations. Memories of these trips, taken with Gido, will always be treasured. <br><br>John will be remembered as a kind and gentle soul, with a wonderful sense of humour and ever-present smile. He was a jokester, loved having fun and a charmer with a sense of style. He was never late for anything and would sooner be half hour early than one minute late. John’s motto was, ``Live each day to its fullest because you just never know what tomorrow will bring!`` He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. <br><br>The Prayer Service for John will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at 7:00 pm at Park Funeral Chapel, 311 Third Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK. The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, August 26, 2016 at 10:00 am at The Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of Holy Trinity, 919 – 20th Street West, Saskatoon, SK. Both services will be officiated by the Very Rev. Father Taras Makowsky. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Orthodox Cemetery, Saskatoon, SK. <br><br>Donations in John`s memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Shrine Hospital Canada, or a charity of your choice. <br><br>To share memories and condolences, visit www.parkfuneral.ca “Obituaries”. Arrangements entrusted to James Werezak of Park Funeral Chapel, 244-2103.<br>Vichnaya Pamiat`- Memory Eternal!<br></div>