Robert Michael Lesko

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Robert Michael Lesko of Hafford, Saskatchewan that occurred on April 21, 2023. Robert died peacefully at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon surrounded by his family.

Robert is survived by his wife of 64 years Sylvia, their children; Patricia (Brian) Derbach and their children Richard (Chrissy) Kuny their daughter Gia, Brennan (Kim) Kuny their daughter Cleo and Chelsea Kuny, Edward (Gail) Lesko, Connie (Tony) Spehar and their children Kathryn (Ben) Copeland and Michael Spehar, Robert Jr (Carlie) Lesko and their children Evan (Latraca) their children London and Tessa Lesko, Rebekah (David) Millar and Haylie Lesko, Everett (Arlene) Lesko and their children Brandon Lesko (Cloe Hradec), Brooklyn Lesko and Dawson Lesko, and Ryan (April) Lesko and their children Nicholas and Zenon Lesko. Robert is also survived by his sisters Olga (Ron) Buhler and Louise (Ross) Pickett, granddaughter Sarah (Graham) Brotzell and their children Tiffany, Lincoln, Charlotte and Abigail, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Robert was predeceased by his parents, Nicholas and Clara Lesko, an infant brother Joseph, his son Conrad Lesko, and sisters Anita McIvor and Paulette Russell.

Robert was born on November 5, 1933 in the farming community of Hafford, Saskatchewan, and was the fourth child of Nicholas & Clara Lesko. Upon completing his secondary studies, Robert began a career with CIBC and worked in branches in Prince Albert and Moose Jaw. He made his way back to Hafford and worked on the family farm while renting additional land. He also spent a short time in Ontario where he worked on a dairy farm and saved enough money to purchase his first vehicle to drive back to Saskatchewan. Upon return, ‘Bob’ as he was affectionally known, met Sylvia Dryhorub whom he fell in love with and married in 1958. With their marriage, a tradition of values would arise in every part of Bob’s life: values of community and commitment to both family and land.

Over several years and with much hard work and sacrifice, Bob & Sally purchased the home quarter in 1960 located 10 kilometers north of Hafford. While still farming, Bob also started a career with the Saskatchewan Department of Highways in 1964. The farm continued to grow and develop over the next seven decades, and was multi-operational which included livestock and grain. During these busy years while raising a young family, Bob also found the time to volunteer with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, was a weed inspector with the RM of Redberry, and was a member of the Hafford Co-op Board of Directors. Before long, the Lesko family farm became a hub of celebration and reunion; though the family would spread and grow, they would frequently return to Bob and Sally’s hearth to share in a fine meal and warm conversation.

As the Lesko sons and grandsons assumed operating the family farm, Bob gradually ‘retired’ and enjoyed the fruits of his labour. He partook in fishing and camping at Sandy Lake, collected and rebuilt Massey-Harris 44 tractors, and tended to a large garden to which he happily distributed the harvest for others to enjoy. One of Bob’s greatest joys was watching his grandchildren’s sport activities and socializing with other spectators.

Bob loved to welcome and chat with visitors who came to the farm and gave personal tours in his golf cart providing progress updates on crop yields, new equipment and building additions. He continued to help the boys during seeding and harvest throughout the course of his life. Though Bob would never fully rest on his laurels, it brought him a large measure of joy to see the lessons of land and community carried on by his children and grandchildren.

Bob will be fondly remembered for his love of the farm and manifesting that love with his family.

The Lesko Family wishes to thank the RUH emergency staff, especially Dr. Nicholas Bouchard, Dr. Colin Pearce, as well as other medical professionals, who respectfully looked after Bob in the final stages of his life.

The funeral service will be held at the Hafford Ukrainian Orthodox Church on highway 340 on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 10:00am officiated by Rt. Rev. Bohdan Demczuk. Internment will follow at the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome to join in a meal afterwards at the Hafford Communiplex that will include the eulogy and other tributes to Bob.

For those who are unable to attend these events in person, the funeral, internment, and meal/program will be live streamed. Please follow the links on the Dignity Memorial website.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s remembrance can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada at www.heartandstroke.ca , or to the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Ghost, Box 232, Hafford, SK S0J 1AO.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sallows & McDonald – Wilson & Zehner Funeral Home, North Battleford, Saskatchewan.

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Submitted by Ed Lesko Langham Sask Dad got us Kid's horses as teenagers. Thank you Dad, we love you.