Mr. John Trach of Denholm, Saskatchewan passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at the age of 83 years. John was born July 7, 1932 on a farm near Ranger, Saskatchewan. He came home in a hay rack covered in some hay and bundled in his mother鈥檚 apron. He received his education in a public school by the name of Edward Lake. John attended Leoville High School but then went in search of a better life. He obtained a job with CP Telecommunications, running a line all the way up to Regina. While being here he attended the Ukrainian All Saints Church where he met his future wife Sophia Kostewich also known as Zoishka. On October 30th 1956 Sophia played a Halloween trick and she put a ring on his finger and they were married at the same church they met. He loved working the land and became a farmer. The farm consisted of grain and cattle. He worked alongside his sons until tragedy hit the family. He suffered heart problems and with determination he was able to overcome this up until June 18th 2012 when he suffered a stroke. Prior to his stroke John could be found picking berries at the river, shooting gophers,working at the farmers market and putting endless miles on his quads. He enjoyed life to its fullest. He was an avid hunter and great marksman, but he did his best work with his trusty green frog. John was a family man; he loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was always there to support the family. In 1976 he was introduced to Lifetime International Products and formed a company with his wife Sophia. Their efforts paid off handsomely as they were rewarded with several trips within the country and abroad. John enjoyed travelling 鈥� he liked to visit his family no matter where they were, but he always loved coming back to the Chitek Lake area where he loved fishing. One thing he said about fishing was to never throw away your first catch and he lived with that belief 鈥� that belief wasn鈥檛 just about fishing. He held strong to that belief up until he took his very last breath. Many hours were spent on Chitek Lake from dawn to dusk with his trusty Len Thompson green frog. He had many fishing stories from past to present. John enjoyed many fish fries and sitting around the camp fire telling stories. John enjoyed many things in life, from gardening to watching wrestling. John was a very caring, kind, and generous man to not only just family but to all the people he ever met. He was a man that would literally give you his last dollar, his last sip of juice, and take the shirt off his back if you needed one. When John was told about his cancer he just shrugged his shoulders. Throughout the treatments, visits, poking and prodding he was still able to carry on with his witty humor. In December he had a fall which required hip replacement. The odds were not in his favor, but he pulled through and persevered. Several days before discharge from the hospital he fell breaking the opposite hip. This time surgery and recovery was an uphill climb which was one step forward and three steps back. He was a man that if you asked him about his pain on a scale of 1 to 10 he would say a 2, but for anyone else it was at least an 8, that shows you how strong a man he really was. Throughout the hospital appointments and visits Johnny was constantly by his side. As we are still reeling from the tragic death of John we are shocked and angered with the unfairness and senselessness that took him from us. Dad was a wonderful man, easy going, and easy to love. Dad will forever be remembered by his beautiful blue eyes and quick wit. He was a wise and wonderful man who knew the value of cherished friends, his family, and his home. It is true that there is much sadness, but all of these journeys that took Dad away from here will live on in all of us, enriching, guiding, and blessing our lives. That is what we will cherish for the rest of our lives. Dad would jokingly say one day he will move to Brada, Dad rests in peace in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens at Brada. John is lovingly remembered by his wife, Sophia (nee Kostewich); children, Frank, Robert, Anna (Delroy) and Johnny (Melanie); grandchildren, Christy (Dave), Taylor (Jessica), Tyrell, Shalin and Tatiana; great grandchildren, Kylee, Tessa, Hannah, Kailee and Grayson; brothers and sisters, Elsie (John), Walter (Pat), Olga, Harry (Sharon), Helen (Maurice), Vera (Les), and Jim (Marleen); sisters-in-law, Alexandra and Linda; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Annie and Harry; baby sister (passed away in the old country); brothers, Mike, Steve and William 鈥淏ill鈥�; father and mother-in-law, Dmytro and Anna; and brother-in-law, Don. A Prayer Service was held on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of All Saints, North Battleford, Saskatchewan. The Divine Liturgy for Mr. John Trach was held on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. also at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of All Saints with Reverend Father Ivan Nahachewsky as celebrant. Interment followed in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Those wishing to leave condolences for the family may do so at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Trevor Watts of Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium. A special thank you to Father Ivan Nahachewsky of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of All Saints, the Gold Eagle Casino, Domino鈥檚 Pizza, Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium and all who shared in Dad鈥檚 life.
