William Velestuk

1914 - 2010

On Tuesday, September 7, 2010, William (Bill) Velestuk, Grenfell, SK., and late of Lakeside Nursing Home, Wolseley, SK., died at the age of 96 years. The funeral mass will be celebrated in St. Columbkille R.C. Church, Grenfell, SK., on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. By the Rev. Leonardo Tamayo. Interment in the Grenfell Cemetery.

Bill was predeceased by his wife Anne in 1997; son Garry Velestuk in 1981; daughter Janice Velestuk in 1997; brothers: Steve in 2009, John in 2000 and Sam in 1978 and brother-in-law John Yakimowski in 1995. He is survived by his one son and two daughters: Ernie (Donna) Velestuk, Grandview, MB., Sharon (Launie) Rein, Wolseley, SK. and Donna (Fred) Wall, Odessa, SK.; his grandchildren and great grandchildren; one sister Margaret Yakimowski, Regina, SK.; one sister-in-law Irene Velestuk, Grenfell, SK. as well as his nieces and nephews.

Bill was born in 1914 and started school at the age of eight years. During that time he had to get into gear early in the morning to help out with the chores, then several times walk 2 1/2 miles to school. He stopped going to school after he obtained his grade 8 and helped his dad on the farm. At the age of 16 or 17 years with his brother John they took on the job of coat-rack stoking 120 acres for $20.00 which took two weeks to complete the job. The following years Bill worked for neighbouring farmers for as little as 10.00 per month with the most being $25.00 per month in the late thirties. Bill didn't mind the work or pay but when he would leave the table hungry every meal for six months no wonder his friends didn't recognize him.

The Second World War broke out in 1939 and Bill was happy to join the military. He then got fed well, dressed well and paid well. He earned $1.50 per day and was able to see a lot of the world. He was drafted overseas in early 1943 and saw action a couple of months later. Being the first time in the real thing it was very scary and he couldn't imagine anyone getting out alive. He lost his dentures because he could not keep his jaw from shaking.

Bill was with the 2nd Division P.P.C.L.I. Regement which he was very proud of. As a Regement they were posted in Italy until February of 1945. From their he transferred to Europe to join the rest of the Canadian forces. On June 5 Hitler and his Coyoties backed up against the wall and that was one of the best days of his life when it was all over. He returned back home in September of 1945 and started farming in 1947. He married the most wonderful and loving woman Anne in 1948 and they farmed 9 miles northeast of Grenfell for 27 years. At that time it wasn't easy as they experienced several crop failures, hail, dry summers, frost and too much rain at harvest time.

Bill and Ann were blessed with five wonderfull children: two boys Gerry and Ernie and three girls: Janice, Sharon and Donna. Gerry worked with the Regina City Police and died in 1981; Janice worked for Safeway as a grocier and died in 1997; Ernie is a heavy duty construction operator; Sharon works for Lakeside Nursing Home in Wolseley and is a housewife and Donna is a housewife and also employed at a Seniors Citizen Home.

If friends so desire contributions to Lakeside Nursing Home Activities Fund, c/o Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, Box 970, Grenfell, SK., S0G 2B0 may be tokens of remembrance.