John Dutchyshen

John, Johnny, Big Daddy, Dutchy a man of many names but his all time favorites were Dad, Pops and Gido.  Dad was born on October 19, 1940 to William and Helen Dutchyshen of Jasmin SK he was brother to Olga, Lillian (Lil), Eddy, Rosemarie and Diann.  Dad learned at a young age what a hard days work meant on the farm that work ethic was in grained in him and carried him throughout many of his professions.  Dad also discovered his passion for hunting, fishing, tramping through the bush as he called it.  At the young age of 14 he left home to go work in Ontario picking tobacco.  It was the beginning of his wandering ways.  For Dad there wasn’t a place or a person he didn’t like….. after returning home there was a very special lady from the neighboring town of Kelliher who he had met, our mother Betty (Christina) Godlien.  Cute story…Dad wanted to propose to Mom but didn’t have the money to buy her a ring until what Darren and I think was the luckiest night of his life he won enough money playing poker to finally go and get that ring.  Dad and Mom were married on June 16, 1964.  Before they knew it Dad and Mom were off on the first of many adventures together this one to Toronto where I Pam was born.  Just six weeks after my birth they took me on my first long road trip we were moving back to Saskatchewan. We were living in Grand Coulee where Dad was worked as an elevator agent when on December 19, 1966 Dad got the best early Christmas present he could have ever wanted his son Darren John born in Regina SK., with whom he shared his passion for sports.  Dad would say what more could I have wanted I have my baby girl and my boy.  And for us a father and provider we could not have asked for more.  We were not rich by any means but we never went without, we were given every opportunity to grow and develop as kids should.  With Dad being a dreamer and not being afraid to try anything we moved around a lot finally in 1977 they decided to put down some roots and become owner and operators of the Gulf Bulk in Porcupine Plain, SK.  In 1982 Dad and his buddy Herb Shultz created D and S Salvage he was back on the road again going throughout the province of Saskatchewan with his crew crushing chemical cans. In 1985 mom and dad moved to Warman SK while living there the opportunity to invest, build and develop Duck Mountain Lodge at Madge Lake arose while one partnership developed another one ended mom and dad went their separate ways. Life after that was never the same for any of us but one thing for sure Dad always kept chasing his dreams. You never really knew when he would pop by or give you a quick call. Dad eventually had a home base in Regina where he trucked out of for the next 20 plus years. Yup Johnny was behind the wheel again doing what he truly loved travelling all over Canada and the United States. Dad had to hand over his keys when he turned 70, no more long hauls, he had to retire due to the dam paper work and his shaky hands but that didn’t slow him down. After retiring Dad kept busy picking up the odd local trips, going for coffee with his friends and shopping, man he loved to shop but it was never for him. He would see something he thought you needed and he would buy it. One of his greatest pleasures was dancing whenever there was a dance, he was gone. I would often get a call, someone had seen him on Access Tv Regina’s cable channel at a Walter Ostanek Polka Rama twirling around the dance floor. Dad lived in Regina until 2016 but due to some health issues and wanting to be closer to family he moved to Saskatoon. Dad had to move into a long term care facility Central Haven just 3 minutes from Pam’s house. There he was lovingly welcomed and taken care of by his new extended family. Dad thrived at Central Haven, so many people to visit with whether it was chatting with another resident, their family members or anyone else who just walked through the door you often heard “hi guy or girly how you doing … well just have a great day and god bless”. He also loved the food, he would say “I haven’t had a bad meal here yet” and if you asked him if he needed anything he would say I will just to talk to the girls in the kitchen. While living here dad created a special bond with our girls Josie, Ava and Teagan. Gido’s eyes would light up as soon as they walked through the door. He would proudly tell everyone look who came to visit me my girls.

There were many days in our Dad’s life 28,501 to be exact and his happiest days were:

March 26, 1965 the birth of his daughter Pamela

December 19, 1966 the birth of his son Darren

June 2, 1985 the birth of his grandson Tyler

October 2, 1991 the birth of his grandson Brett

February 28, 1997 the birth of his granddaughter Paige

And the days Pam married Kent and Darren married Candace.

Having lived 78 years dad had to bear the loss of many loved ones family members and good friends each one just as heart breaking as the other, but the loss was even greater on the days he lost his brother Eddy, mother Helen, father William and his sister Olga.  Along with his brother in-laws Jim, Harry, Walter and Joey and great niece Kyley.

Growing up with this man we called Dad we learned some of life’s most important lessons. Do was makes you happy and if you love what you’re doing everything will work out. Don’t ever be afraid to try anything at least once. Get involved, put yourself out there and do the best you can to make this world a better place. But most importantly he taught us about love and the value of family and friends and having faith.

Oh my god we are going to miss this man and the sound of his laughter…. but because of the lessons he taught us we will be okay and he will live on forever in the hearts of many.

The Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 30, 2018 at Windsor Chapel (704 Windsor St.) in Saskatoon, SK. Arrangements in care of David Schurr – Mourning Glory Funeral Services (306) 978-5200.