It is with deep sadness that our family announces the passing of our Dad & patriarch Paul Hrynkiw on November 20, 2021.  He was 97 years old.  We will miss him dearly but appreciate & celebrate that he had a full life full of highs & lows, challenges & victories.

Paul was born in Kuvource, Poland on December 23, 1923.  That part of the world has been claimed as Poland, Hungary, Austria & Ukraine (part of the former Soviet Union) – Grandma referred to it as “the Old Country”.    Paul’s Father John arrived in Plunkett, Saskatchewan to work for the CPR in 1927.   Two years later in August 1929 Paul arrived in Canada with his Mother Katarzyna, older brother Walter and younger sister Julia on the CPR Ship, the Montcalm.  Katarzyna, Paul, Walter and Julia spoke no English or French to aid them in their travels.  Grandma had $5.00 cash which was all she was allowed to travel with.   Their first Canadian winter was spent living in a section house (an old boxcar) where frost could be seen on the inside of the walls.  Plunkett remained Paul’s home for 3 decades. 

In April, 1943 Paul joined his older brother Walter in the World War II effort.   Paul served as an Able Seaman and Oerlikon Anti Aircraft Gunner on the Corvette Mayflower Escort Ship.  His ship escorted troop and supply ships crossing the Atlantic and was part of the convoy to Juno Beach on D-Day.  It was important to Paul to fight for his country as a proud Canadian.

After his discharge in 1945, Paul returned home to Plunkett and started his own private trucking business.  He was a product of his generation working many jobs including storekeeping, café operation, school bus (& bombardier) driver with eventually a main career with the Department of Highways out of Lanigan.  Also during this time Paul was an avid competitive ball player.  His legs may have been short but he had the intensity of a champion.  In the early 50’s Paul was close to winning the best batting title in the Western Canada League.    While playing ball with the Colonsay Monarchs he met & married Edith Hrynkiw (nee Coldham).  Paul and Edith had one son, Crandall in 1959.

In 1959 Paul & family moved to Saskatoon to work for Highways as Foreman on the Asphalt Mixing Plant in summer and assistant snowplow operator in winter.  In 1965 he became an SO1 Foreman for a highway crew in Meacham.    Rosetown became home in 1966 when Paul became the Area Maintenance Supervisor for Highways.  He was responsible for 2 crews out of Rosetown, one in Lucky Lake and one in Kyle.

Paul’s wife Edith passed away in May of 1980.  In 1983, Paul married Marion Rogozinsky (nee Kindrachuk).  

Throughout his life, Paul continued to be hugely involved in the Rosetown & surrounding communities. He was an excellent representative of the greatest generation being a community builder & supporter. He was a volunteer firefighter from 1972 to 1981 including 2 years as fire chief.  Paul was a Legion member & presenter to school kids as well as an Elks member.  In his later years, Paul also enjoyed entertaining at the Senior citizens homes with local choirs.  In retirement he picked up jobs helping local farmers, guard (Babysitter) at the local jail & coroner.

Paul’s main passion was sports, specifically baseball and hockey. Once he finished playing ball he served many years as a baseball and fastball umpire.   He was proud to umpire at the Western Canada Fast Pitch Championship.  Goaltending was his specialty in hockey.  He played for the Boychuk Bruins in Saskatoon.  He also played for the Rosetown Broken Wings and the Biggar Old Timers.  He was the oldest goalie at the NuCentral Homes Old Timers Tournament for 10 consecutive years.  Paul also enjoyed curling & golf throughout his life.

Paul was predeceased by his parents John & Katarzyna, brother Walter, sister Julia & wives Edith & Marion.

Paul is survived by son Crandall (Theresa), grandsons Douglas and Matthew, stepson Ken (Shirley) and stepdaughter Janet (Ron) and their families.

A Celebration of Life was held on Monday, December 20, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Shanidar Funeral Chapel with Reverend Allan Gairns officiating. The service may be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/ShanidarFuneralServices/videos/305844888122282

Donations in memory of Paul may be made to the Rosetown & District Health Centre Foundation, P.O. Box 653, Rosetown, SK, S0L 2V0.