Obituary of Maurice Kostichuk
The family of Maurice Kostichuk sadly announce his passing on July 4, 2024, ending 86 happy years full of family, friends, and farming.
Maurice was born in his family home (Sec. 34, Tp. 29, Rge.8, W.2, Sask.) on May 27, 1938. He was born to John and Polly (Odowichuk) Kostichuk. He had an older sister – Marie, and a younger sister – Myrna. He attended Wolkowitz school (gr. 1-8); Insinger (9-10), Foam Lake (11-12). To attend grades 9-12 he had to walk an impressive 5 miles a day!
From the time he was a little boy, Maurice always aspired to farm. He worked alongside his father, eventually taking over the family operation. In 1972, he married Beverly Ryder and together they farmed and raised 3 children (Collin, Tanya, and Tricia). Maurice and Bev retired from farming in 2007, 3 years after receiving a Century Family Farm award. He was a creative and innovative farmer – most proud of his own willingness to try new farming methods or grow new varieties of crops. He was elected as a Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Delegate in 1969 and a Director in 1980. His time with the Pool gave him opportunities to travel across North America for agricultural meetings. He was very active in his community serving on committees for the Yorkton Cooperative Ltd, Insinger Community Hall, Whitesand Regional Park Board, Yorkton Threshermen’s Club, and Theodore United Church. He was a founding member of the Yellowhead Hog farm and in 2004, received a Saskatchewan Co-operative Merit Award.
Maurice had a passion for sports. This passion drove him and a friend to withdraw a bank loan to purchase bats, balls, and uniforms and start a fastball club (that later became the Insinger Cardinals). The dream was to pay back the loan with team winnings – but like his beloved Maple Leafs – they discovered championship wins were too few and far between and they had to find other means to pay back the loan! Maurice also enjoyed camping, golf, hockey, curling, doing puzzles, and cooking fancy breakfasts. He spent many hours restoring tractors, fixing and renovating anything and everything, welding, and woodworking – he loved his tractors, his tools, and his workshop. He also loved to visit friends and spend time with his family. He had a sly little smirk and enjoyed making people laugh, teasing squirrels or cats, and watching birds. He was patient, kind, hard-working, and always sought a bright side to focus on.
Maurice is survived by his wife Beverly, son Collin (Jen) Kostichuk, daughters Tanya Kostichuk and Tricia (Jason) Keyowski; grandchildren Danica, Jaysa, Audraya, Ryan and Kaylie; and siblings Marie Malinowski and Myrna Sargent; nephew Lorne Malinowski and sister-in-law Brenda (Bud) Ryder. He is predeceased by his parents John and Polly; nephew Lyle Malinowski; and other beloved family members and friends.
Visitation was held on July 10, 2024 from the Chapel of Bailey’s Funeral Home, Yorkton. The Funeral Service was held on July 11, 2024 from Westview United Church with Rev. Deborah Smith officiating. Dianne Stinka read the scripture. The Potts Family delivered the Lord’s Prayer in Ukrainian. Accompanist Sharon Litvanyi led the congregation in the hymns “Come In and Sit Down”, “How Great Thou Art”, “On The Wings of a Snow White Dove”, “In The Bulb”, and “We Shall Go Out with Hope of Resurrection”. The interment followed in the Garden of St. Matthew, Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Collin, Tanya & Tricia serving as urnbearers. Memorial donations in memory of Maurice Kostichuk may be made to the Western Development Museum (Box 98, Yorkton, SK. S3N 2V6) or to Whitesand Regional Park (Box 406, Theodore, SK. S0C 4C0) as gifts of remembrance. Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home and Cremation Care.
