Obituary of ANDREW ALEXIUK

It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Andrew (Andy) on September 20, 2024 at 93 years of age.

 

He will be fondly remembered by his loving wife Edith (nee Pettitt), his children Lori Alexiuk, Kerri (Ken Sutherland) and Duane (Celin) Alexiuk.  Missing him dearly are his six grandchildren, Scott (Jess), Jeanette, Kayla, Keenan, Kyle and Kelton. 

 

He is survived by his brother Philip (Marlene) Alexiuk, his sister Jean Genik and his sister-in-law, Pat Alexiuk.

 

He was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Lena (nee Kereliuk), his siblings John, Marika and Eli (in infancy), Matt, Paul and Nettie.

 

Andy was born on the family farm at Sundown, MB, on September 12, 1931 into a family of nine.  In order to supplement the farm income, he, his dad and brothers tended a trapline for a variety of fur-bearing animals such as mink, weasels, squirrels and muskrats.

 

He was proud of his Canadian/Ukrainian heritage and still had an affiliation with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church there in Sundown.

 

He obtained his Grade 11 standing at the local Sundown High School.  To acquire his Grade 12 education, he spent 1950-51 at St. Andrew’s College in Winnipeg. 

 

At age 17, he became a permit teacher at Whitemouth Lake, a one-room rural school with 26 students.  In 1951-52 he attended the Manitoba Provincial Normal School in preparation for a career in teaching.  He completed his Bachelor of Pedagogy (Education) degree in 1962 and his Bachelor of Science degree in 1970, through summer and night school classes. He taught in several rural schools in Manitoba for 17 years.

 

Life threw him a curve ball and, because of illness, he had to change professions.  He found employment at the Canada Revenue Agency from which he retired in 1994. As a man who always liked to help others, he turned this into a positive and he assisted many friends and family with their taxes. The family appreciated receiving free tax advice for many years.

 

Andy was a staunch sports fan - some would say obsessive. He wholeheartedly supported the Goldeyes, Jets and Bombers, and attended many home games.  He loved Manitoba sports!  He spent four and a half decades in senior baseball, and was head coach for many teams.  He especially enjoyed taking teams to ball tournaments, many with his son, Duane, as his side-kick.  He was inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Honour Society in 1993 and inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000. 

 

Andy was a community minded man.  He was convenor of the Norberry Community Club Minor Baseball Program. He held many volunteer roles including, Hall Rental’s Man at the club for about 20 years.  He was an avid cribbage player there, though some would suggest he overthought his card selection thinking it was a competitive sport!  He also volunteered at the United Church in Meadowood with the Property Committee for many years. 

 

The fall season was a special time for him.  He was a seasoned goose and deer hunter. He enjoyed hunting with his brothers, and especially his son-in-law, Ken and grandson, Keenan. He could spot a deer or goose better than anyone.

 

Above all, Andy was a dedicated family man. He met his wife, Edith, when both were on the teaching staff at Erickson, MB. They celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on July 25, 2024. He once wrote this tribute, “without my adorable wife, Edith, I would be a nobody.”  They lived in their home in St. Vital for 57 years.  Many special occasions took place here.

 

He was a very humble and kind man.  He was honest, thoughtful and caring. He led by example, instilling in his family, these same traits. He had a great sense of humour and you could always count on him to have a good story or joke.  He laughed frequently and you couldn’t help joining in.  He was always the favourite uncle, some would say “funcle”.

 

Many camping trips across the country were enjoyed by the family when they were growing up.  A particularly memorable one was to Atlantic Canada where the car (a ‘66 Merc) didn’t want to leave, and kept breaking down. Andy and Edith travelled on a bus trip to Europe and visited Australia, New Zealand and Iceland.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held at the United Church in Meadowood (1111 Dakota St) on Monday, September 30 at 1:00 pm. The service will be livestreamed on the church’s webpage (ucim.org).

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame (mbhof.ca) or to a charity of your choice.