Antone A Punga

Antone Punga passed away peaceful January 23, 2015 at the Assiniboia Union Hospital. He was born October 28, 1923 on the homestead in Wood Mountain – the tenth of eleven children born to Mr. Anton and Mrs. Rada (Oprica) Punga.

He attended Five Mile Creek School where he achieved a Grade 9 education.

He farmed with his father and continued farming the home place after the passing of his father in 1951. Mixed farming kept Antone busy, tending to the cows and calves, pigs and chickens.

After harvest, Antone found work in Windsor, Ontario at the Chrysler Plant and lived with his sister Mary, Dan Vidican and their family. He also travelled to Vancouver with friends Willy and John Lawrick, where they worked in a cardboard factory.

As luck would have it, in 1958 he met a wonderful woman from Mervin, Saskatchewan. Shirley George and her sister, Edith found work in Rockglen and they also found a few handsome gentlemen. Shirley met Antone Punga, her sister Edith met Joe Farn and they soon attended many dances and gatherings.

Antone and Shirley were married January 26, 1959 in Mervin, SK. They returned to make their home on the Punga homestead in Wood Mountain. Shirley was a very good cook and learned to perfect the many favourite Romanian dishes including perogies, “plaçinta”-strudel, cabbage rolls. They were blessed with two children, David and Dianne. Shirley and Antone followed their children during many of their school activities, 4H and the many sporting events.

Antone was active in the community, being a member of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, Wood Mountain Orthodox Church Board, and community hall board. He raised Hereford and Charlois cattle, loved fishing, gardening, bird watching, word search puzzles, tinkering in the yard and bowling. He attended many rodeos in Wood Mountain, attending this past summer`s 125th Wood Mountain Stampede where he enjoyed visiting with many old friends.

Many fun times were spent with his numerous friends and neighbours, namely Coroluicks, Ciocias, Marcenkos, Hysuicks, especially Joe Farn and our added family the Koesters. Family holidays included family visits to Windsor, Ontario, frequent trips to Loon Lake, SK as well a trip to the Maritimes in 2000 with his grandchildren.

Antone enjoyed the great outdoors and many of his cherished pets through the years, especially travelling companions, dogs Poppy and Tobi. The many barn cats kept him busy, spoiling them with milk and egg treats.

Many years were spent farming with his brother Nick and getting to know Nick and Georgina’s sons, Perry and Rodney. Shirley and Antone retired from farming in 2001, moved to Thomson Lake then onward in 2002 to their current home in Assiniboia. Antone enjoyed meeting new people and going for coffee with his friends. Many trips were made to Gravelbourg to attend academic and sporting achievements of their grandchildren, Sylvie, Allan and Renée.

Antone is predeceased by this parents, Anton and Rada; sisters Mary Vidican, Helen Benoit, Laura Caragata; brothers John, Mike, Ralph, Alex, George, Nick.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Shirley; son David, his wife Gisele (Samoisette) of Gravelbourg and their children Sylvie, Allan and Renée; daughter Dianne and her husband Dean Mitchell of Moose Jaw; sister Florence (Punga) Thibert of Windsor, Ontario: sister-in-law Ginger (Ursu) Punga of Windsor, Ontario, numerous nephews and nieces; sisters–in–law Edith (George) Farn and the late Joe Farn; Margaret (George) and George Tosh; Marion George & Ken Sjoberg; numerous nieces, nephews and relatives, friends and neighbours. His kindness and gentleness will be remembered forever.

Orthodox Prayer Service was held 7:30 pm, Sunday, January 25, 2015 in Ross Funeral Chapel. Orthodox Funeral Service was held 10:30 am, Monday, January 26, 2015 in St. George’s Roman Catholic Church, Assiniboia, SK. Officiating Priests were Father Cosmin Sicoe and Father Lucien Constantin, and Cantor was Don Punga. Cross Bearer was Perry Punga, and Banner Bearers were Shane Ciocia and Ken Hysuick. Honorary Pallbearers were: Lillian & Conn Yorga, Helen Coroluick, George & Margaret Popescul, Anne & Roy Burns, George Ciocia, Mike & Lenore Rotariu. Pallbearers were: Ritchie Hordenchuk, Parker Koester, Monty Poirier, Rodney Punga, Mark Punga, and Rick Caragata. Interment followed in Transfiguration of Our Lord Orthodox Cemetery, Wood Mountain, Sask. Memorials are graciously accepted on behalf of the Wood Mountain Orthodox Cemetery or Telemiracle. Arrangements entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.rossfuneralservice.com