Obituary of WILLIAM BOYECHKO

WILLIAM BOYECHKO Heaven is about to have a greener garden. It is with sadness in our hearts but with the blessing of many cherished memories left behind that we announce the passing of William Boyechko, at the age of 85. The locally renowned farmer, gardener, lumberjack, hunter and gatherer, moonshiner, fisherman, constructor of the finest basements that Manitoba has ever seen, semi-professional poker player, and lover of hospital food, passed away at home on December 20, 2019. William was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy, the love of his life, who passed away in 1990. If there is truth to the saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder, their reunion will be one for the ages. Mom is probably already asking Dad to dance with her at this very moment (he is likely playing hard to get). He is survived by his four children, Dave Boyechko, Pat Komula (Kevin), Wade Boyechko (Brenda), and Beverley Boyechko, as well as five grandchildren. He was predeceased by 8 of his 10 siblings. He is survived by brother Harry Boyechko (Shirley) and brother Paul Boyechko (Florence). Am imposing man with a permanent grin, he was simply known in the Weston neighbourhood as “Uncle Bill” to hundreds, although many would start with “Mr. Boyechko,” until they got to know him. With the advent of the internet, his reputation spread. “Uncle Bill” became known and loved far and wide across Manitoba, although he refused to touch a computer. He never met a pickerel he didn’t want to catch, or a morel he didn’t want to pick. When it came to venison, he may have been a better cook than shot, but it is for his artful handing of the cucumber that he is most well known. The garden was his canvas, the hoe was his paintbrush, and his jars of pickles his work of art. Dad left his mark on the world and on the hearts of his children and grandchildren. If we could be half the person he was, we could reverse climate change, end world hunger and there would be no more wars. Prayers will be held at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street on Thursday, December 26, 2019 at 7:00 p.m., with fellowship and storytelling to follow. Service will be held at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church, Logan and Ada, at 1:00 p.m. with lunch to follow. Internment will take place at a later date, when he will finally be placed to rest beside his beloved wife, as it was always meant to be. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association.