Alex Polischuk

He was a son, a brother, a father, a friend, a spouse.

He was known as “Pa” and to us, we were very fortunate to be able to call him “Grandpa”

Every single time we saw him, it was a special time.

He made us laugh and smile.

He taught us so much and always seemed to do it with a twinkle in his eye.

At 92 he passed away peacefully, without even any wrinkles.

Just the scar on his forehead from his time on the railroad.

He lived life to the fullest.

I would go visit and he would say “I’m satisfied with my life. I did what I wanted to do. I had a good life. i’m no spring chicken ya know”

There was never a time in my life when Grandpa wasn’t there for me.

He always had such good advice and was always so positive.

He was thankful and grateful for everything.

Never had a complaint. No complaints.

I think when anyone looks back at the time spent with him, they would be happy times. There are so many good memories. I want to try and share some with you today in hopes that they make you smile. Because that is what he would have wanted to see.

A family favorite was Christmas time. Everyone got together and shared in stories, laughed, ate some of Grandmas baking and perogies and then Grandmas famous “Punch”

It was the one time of year everyone gathered. A tradition we all looked forward to.

I asked mom this morning if she wanted me to mention anything in particular. Her reply was simple. “I don’t know what to say other than Grandpa and I shared a wonderful life.”

I can’t imagine what Grandpas life in its entirety looked like.

From his time as a young boy growing up, farming with his father, going to community dances, playing baseball in the field to becoming a young man that saw things in the war that brought tears to his eyes everytime he spoke of it…but were also the same times where he would be discharged and get “drunker than a skunk” with his friends.

Then there was the railroad where they worked with such physical strength in cold conditions without the amenities we have today. This was when he spent time in B.C. and dreamed of owning a farm in Saskatchewan.

There was a reason Grandpa really truly appreciated the simple things in life. I know he really enjoyed Grandma’s cooking. Especially after a time as a bachelor eating Burn’s Stew. Every meal he would say to her “That was the best”

His passion was farming….and he was able to live by it. He could not have been happier. He would say “I got to do what I wanted. I’m so lucky”

I will always remember the gardens that were planted, the cows that were fed and watered, how cute he looked driving the tractor. His lunchbox. His lunchbox that had a thermos of coffee, a sandwich, an apple and some cookies. The smile he had on his face each time we pulled up.

He helped raise us to be honest, hard working people. He kept us busy when we were young by giving us a nickel for catching potatoe bugs and grasshoppers. Taught us the value of money because we could take our “nickels” and go buy some potato chips.

He granted us our wishes like the time I thought I wanted a pet gopher. He trapped it, tied a shoelace to its neck and drove to our house. Needless to say the gopher chewed the shoelace in no time. That was okay though because it wasn’t a friendly critter and Grandpa didn’t like gophers.

Then there was the time that I really desperately wanted a horse. He tried to grant my wish. It didn’t last long because when I got on that horse with no saddle of training that horse decided to go back to the reserve with me on it. It took off down the highway and Grandpa jumped in the truck so fast with a pail of feed, thank God.

As soon as I flew off that horse it was promptly returned right back to where it came from. He was always there to come to my rescue when things got crazy. To literally pick me up, dust me off and carry on.

Grandpa and Grandma showed us by example what a good marriage looked like. They were soul mates. Always there for one another; put each other first and ahead of themselves. It wasn’t without struggles, but the effort was well worth it, as nothing meant more to them than each other. They took care of each other, appreciated one another and just enjoyed each others company.

I would call him on Sunday nights and ask how he was. He would say “I’m fit as a fiddle but I got no bow” “I can’t walk but I can talk” “I have it pretty good” he would say. “I must have done something right.”

Grandpa and Grandma spent decades together, and when it was time to move to River Heights Lodge, they accepted it. Again no complaints. He just kept to himself, reading his magazines, watching TV and joking with the staff. Just satisfied to have a roof over his head, meals cooked and would say, “what more could you ask for?”. He would joke “I’m retired now you know. I thinkg I deserve it, don’t you?” and then he would chuckle to himself.

I have tried to keep the eulogy short and sweet just like him. He wanted this day to be one of peace and reflection on the amazing life he was able to live, with all of us.

Grandma gave me good advice and just said that anyone that knew him, knows. They know. She’s right. The connection that he shared with people isn’t the kind that makes you wonder. It’s solid, based on love. The kind that is unbreakable and undeniable.

We will miss him terribly but thankfully the memories will last forever. We were all so lucky to have him in our lives.

I will see Grandpa in so many ways going forward. Like this morning when I was out taking puppy for a walk. The sun was shining through the hoar frost trees, the snow looked like little crystals, there was no wind. I had a coffee in my hand and I thought ‘Well good morning Grandpa’

Today is a beautiful day and I can feel you with me through this difficult time.

Grandpa may your soul rest peacefully. And thank you…..thank you for every single second.

I literally have the Best Grandpa Ever.

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POLISCHUK: Alex Polischuk

July 24th, 1922 - December 16th, 2014. With great sadness we announce the passing of Alex Polischuk, at the age of 92 years. Alex was a sweet dear man who adored his family and never uttered a complaint. He lived life to the fullest. When family would visit he would say “I’m satisfied with my life. I did what I wanted to do. I had a good life. I’m no spring chicken ya know”. There was never a time that Alex wasn’t there for his family, he always had great advice and was always positive. When people look back at the times they had with him, they would be happy times, so many good memories to share because that is the legacy that he left behind. One such favorite of the family was Christmas time, when everyone would gather together and share stories, laugh, and eat

some of grandma’s baking, perogies, presents and there was often a line up for the punch. It was the time of year that brought everyone together, something that everyone looked forward to. Alex grew up on the farm, farming with his father and going to community dances, playing baseball in the field, and eventually becoming the young man being sent to war. Because of his experiences in the field and army, he learned the value of hard work and instilled

that lesson into his children and grandchildren. After he left the army he worked on the railroad, when he spent time in B.C. and dreamed about the day he would own a piece of land of his own. Alex met and married the love of his life, Helen, adopting four of her children. After moving into River Heights, Alex remained ever steadfast in his appreciation for the little things, a roof over his head and his meals prepared for him. He kept to himself by reading, watching TV, and the usual jokes with the staff. Alex will be missed by his darling wife Helen, daughter Valorie Higgs; grandson Riley Higgs (Jana); granddaughters Amanda Higgs(Jason) and Carmen Swift (Brad); step children Bella (Ray) Marjoram, Marian (Jim) Milnthorp, Donna Villeneuve & Larry (Lynn) Hawryliw; brother Peter (Ann) Polischuk. He was predeceased by Ruby, Annie, Nettie, Jean, Mike, Walter & Lorne.