Obituary of Joseph Anton Markowsky

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father, Joseph Anton Markowski. He died peacefully at the Leoville Evergreen Health Centre with his daughters Anne and Vivian at his side on Thursday evening, February 28, 2008. Joseph was the eldest of five children born to Anton and Mary (Hnatiuk) Markowski on February 5, 1913 in the Sniatyn District. His father passed away when he was only nine years old. Later, his Mother and step-father added three sister and 2 brothers to the family unit. Being the eldest child, Dad soon learnt the importance of hard work, responsibility and dependability. At an early age, he acquired a knowledge and love for horses from his father who had been a cavalry man in the Austrian army. This was an integral part of the rest of Dad's life. To this day there are two horses on the farm. He attended school in Sniatyn and St. Jude District until the age of fifteen. In 1928, he moved with Uncle M.J. Markowski to North Battleford, then to Cater and Medstead. The depression was advancing fast so Uncle M.J. filed for a homestead in what was the Junor District. Dad followed in his footsteps and took a homestead on the NW 16-53-13 W of 3rd. He married Pauline Sarchuk of Sokal, SK on October 19, 1933 and brought her the following spring to his log cabin by the lake. Here they began clearing the land and establishing their farm. As time went on, they raised their four daughters here. Joseph is lovingly remembered by his daughters Vivian Couture of Leoville, SK, Mary (Henry) Konopelski of Rabbit Lake, SK, Anne (Gerald) Metrunec of Leoville, SK and Pilahia (Tom) Filarchuk of Ituna, SK, 13 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren; his sisters and brother Josephine Sawkiw of Toronto, ON, Mike (Nettie) Gryschuk of Toronto, ON, Paula Bell of Grande Prairie, AB and Jean Wawryk of Wakaw, SK; his sister in-law Lorraine Gryschuk of Saskatoon, SK as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and countless friends. He was predeceased by his wife Pauline in 1991, his parents Anton and Mary Markowski, his sisters Rosie (George) Pidhaichuk, Victoria (Alex) Hryciuk, and Annie (Roger) Goulet; his brothers Anton Markowski and Matt Gryschuk; his sister in-law Doris Markowski; his brothers in-law Leon Wawryk; Brian Bell and Mike Sawkiw. The prayer service was held on Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 at 7 p.m. and the funeral service was held on Thursday, March 6th, 2008 at 10 a.m., both from St. Therese R. C. Church in Leoville, SK. The celebrant was Rev. Fr. Taras Udod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada of the North Battleford Parish and the cantor was Sally Lazarowich of North Battleford. The eulogy was read by Daria Michayluk. Active pall bearers were Gerald Couture, Mark Metrunec, Gregory Metrunec, Samuel Filarchuk, Leon Filarchuk and David Konopelski. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan or the Evergreen Health Centre. Joe was laid to rest in the Junor Cemetery.