Andrew Cholod

Andrew was born to Toma and Annie Cholod (Macuik) in the village of Rzepniew, Kamionka-Strumiolowa, Western Ukraine, which at the time was under Polish rule.

When Andrew was three, his dad left for Canada to follow reports that land was cheap and freedom reigned. By 1936 conditions in Ukraine had become very difficult with armies destroying the country without concern for life or property. Andrew was 8 years old when his father, mother and three year old brother, Ted, left for Canada. The family homesteaded on 160 acres of heavy bush six miles north of Sturgis, SK. They paid $10.00, but were obligated to clear 10 acres a year.

As a new Canadian, Andrew attended Kopje School and by the end of June he was promoted to grade 3. He worked alongside his father, felling trees, and splitting wood by moonlight. They would then haul it to Sturgis in exchange for groceries. During one Christmas school break Andrew and his father went to a bush camp north of Usherville where they felled and skinned logs and dragged them to a road leading to a sawmill. By 1938 Andrew completed grade five and was then promoted to grade 8.

Hearing children play at recess, his father asked him if he had plans to go to Teachers’ College (at that time known as Normal School). On a Friday in September of 1946 he biked to Sturgis and sent a telegram requesting his acceptance to the Department of Education. A quick reply directed him to report to Moose Jaw Normal School the following Monday.

Five months later, in the fall of 1947, Andrew caught a bus to Pierceland and began his first teaching job in Mudie Lake. He lived with the Rhinehart family and was kept very busy teaching 24 students in multiple grades, and taking his grade 11 and 12 Algebra, Physics, Chemistry and Trignometry to obtain an interim teaching certificate.

He taught and farmed for ten years in the Sturgis School Unit, Brookview, East Ajax, West Ajax, Woodlight and Preeceville. In 1956 Andrew moved to teach in Perdue, in the West School Unit, to be close to soon-to-be wife Anne Zaharia who was in a nursing program at the Royal University Hospital. On August 11, 1957, they married and settled in Saskatoon where they began raising their family.

Throughout his career Andrew took university classes by correspondence and summer school. He graduated with his Bachelor of Education in 1967 and his Bachelor of Arts in 1968.

Andrew continued teaching in rural schools close to Saskatoon. He was in Edzell for two years, Brownell for 6 years, Penner for two years, and Smithville for one year. Andrew finished his career as principal of Delisle Elementry School where he worked for 15 years and 2 days. He superannuated on a Wednesday in March, 1982.

During the summer months, Andrew worked for hail adjusting companies and he enjoyed being back on the farm interacting with farmers. He relished spending cold winters on Maui and Arizona and especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Andy was a kind and gentle friend, husband, father and deeda (grandfather). A grain of wheat must die to yield a rich harvest. Andy’s life yielded fruits of understanding, compassion and love.

Andrew is Lovingly Remembered By:

His wife of 54 years Anne Cholod (Zaharia); daughters Andrianne (Dan) Antymniuk, Alisa (Reg) Leidl; son Andrew (Tammera) Cholod; Grandchildren Brett, Joel, Mark & Eric Antymniuk; Derek, Katelyn, Joshua & Anna Leidl; Drew Cholod. Brother Ted (Cathy) Cholod; sister Margaret (Elmer) Kinaschuk; numerous nieces, nephews and relatives both in Canada and the Ukraine.

Andrew was predeceased by his parents Toma and Annie (Macuik) Cholod.

A prayer service (Pahhihida) will be held Wednesday, May 9 @ 7:00 pm in the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church at 2202 Lorne Avenue, Saskatoon.

A celebration of his life will be held at Acadia-McKague’s Funeral Center (915 Acadia Drive, Saskatoon) at 10:00 am on Thursday, May 10.

Interment will be held on May 11 at 2:00 pm in the Canora Cemetary, Canora, SK.

In lieu of flowers or gifts memorial donations may be made in Andrew’s name to the Alzheimer’s Society of Saskatchewan (http://www.alzheimer.ca/en/sk) or Breakfast for Learning (www.breakfastforlearning.ca).

Condolences may be emailed to the family at www.acadiamckaguesfuneralcentre.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Acadia-McKague’s Funeral Centre (955-1600).