Obituary of Bill Popowich

POPOWIICH - Peacefully in the early evening of Friday, February 5, 2010 Bill passed away at the age of 93 at the Yorkton & District Nursing Home. On May 18, 1916, Bill the 4th of 10 children was born on to John & Pearl (nee Shumay) Popowich in the Whitesand District. He was raised on the family farm and attended North Lake School. Bill entered the work force at a very young age as a farm hand on numerous farms in the area. During this time he met Olga Furman. The couple were married on October 12, 1941 and together they settled on a farm six miles south of Buchanan. They were blessed with three children, Stanley, Shirley and Donna. In 1959 the family moved to Yorkton where Bill found employment at Matheson Bros. Construction, Logan Stevens Construction and Mastercraft Millwork. Bill's expertise was concrete work, but he also was an excellent finishing carpenter for which he had received his Journeyman's Certificate. His best tools were his square, level and trowel. He was a perfectionist and anything he built stood the test of time, and was nothing short of perfect. His philosophy was "do it right the first time, measure twice, cut once." Bill enjoyed dancing, listening to boxing on the radio and later watching hockey. He always enjoyed a good game of cribbage. Most of all, he enjoyed being with his family, who were his pride and joy. Upon retiring, Bill took great pleasure in growing a garden and making sure he had plenty of potatoes to share with everyone. After Olga became ill Bill focused his attention to taking care of her and less of his garden. He believed in and followed the ten commandments and every night he thanked God with a prayer. Bill was predeceased by his wife Olga on March 30, 2005; his parents, John & Pearl Popowich; sisters: Pauline Chupa & Dora Biblow; a brother Mike; brothers-in-law: Paul Wasylkiw, Mike Biblow and Bill Chupa. Left to forever cherish his memory is his son Stanley (Annette) of Yorkton; daughters: Shirley (Merv) Rurak of Warren, and Donna (David) Thomson of Regina; six grandchildren: Tammy Rurak, Shawna Rurak (Darrell Sinclair); Jason (Verena) Popowich, Marla (Nolan) Efford, Meghan and Owen Thomson; as well as eight great grandchildren: Dylan & Daryl Rurak; Hannah & Nathan Efford; Kailee & Alyssa Popowich, Emalia & Lillian Rurak-Sinclair; sisters: Mary Wasylkiw, Ann (Paul) Tzupa, Margaret Lipney, Katie (Metro) Diakow, Nettie (John) Zurawell; a brother Dan; and a sister-in-law Margaret Popowich, as well as numerous other relatives and friends. Prayer services wereheld on Monday, February 8, 2010 from the Chapel of Bailey's Funeral Home, Yorkton. The Requiem Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 from St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton. Rev. Father Ray Lukie, C.Ss.R. was the Celebrant. Cantors, Ed Pindus and Colette Karapita, assisted by members of the Parish Choir, led in the singing of the responses. The Crossbearer was Tammy Rurak, the Epistle readers were Meghan and Owen Thomson. The interment took place in the Garden of Gethsemene at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Jason Popowich, Nolan Efford, Owen Thomson, David Thomson, Dylan Rurak and Darrell Sinclair serving as the casketbearers. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 10:00am, St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens