Michael Shiplack

The funeral mass for the late Michael Shiplack of Montmartre, Saskatchewan, Canada, who died at Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, on November 21, 2002 at the age of 80 was celebrated in St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Candiac, Saskatchewan on November 25, 2002 by Rev. Brent Kuzyk. Prayers, were held in the chapel of the Tubman Funeral Home, Wolseley, Saskatchewan on Sunday evening were led by Father Vasyl Petrouchtchak. Interment followed mass in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery, Candiac, Saskatchewan. The casket bearers were Kevin Shiplack, Randy Shiplack, William Shiplack, Terry Shiplack, Ron Jacob and Dave Jacob. Honorary attendants were Sonia Bremner, Wayne Shiplack, Perry Shiplack and Gerry Jacob.

Mike was born in the Montmartre District of Saskatchewan on April 8, 1922, son of Fred and Mary (Robutka) Shiplack. He took his education at Netherby School following which he worked at different places on farms and in Regina. He served in the army, then he helped his father farm. In 1946 he bought some land and farmed till late 1990 and retired. He loved gardening and outdoor life. Mike was very devoted to looking after his mother and his ailing brother, Peter. He was a member of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church and was very active in looking after the church and the cemetery . He was an elder for many years and gave dedicated service.

Mike was predeceased by his father, Theodore (Fred) Shiplack in 1947; mother, Mary (nee Robutka) Shiplack in 1992; one sister, Sophie in 1918; and seven brothers, Michael in infancy in 1914, Nikiata in 1933, Leo in 1993, John and Peter in 1997, Nestor in 2000 and Trofin (Tony) in 2001. He is survived by two brothers, Paul (Marcia), Montmartre and Victor (Margaret) Weyburn; one sister, Eva (Alfred) Jacob, Weyburn; and two sisters-in-law, Eunice and Olga Shiplack, both of Regina; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Laurie Rey of Tubman Cremation and Funeral Services, Wolseley, Saskatchewan, Canada.

The following is a poem written by Mike's nephew Ryan A. Jacob:

DEDICATED TO GREAT UNCLE MIKE SHIPLACK

Nov. XX1, 002

Thursday

Today his world ended

10:30 a.m.

He went so very quickly

Nobody saw it coming

He was the greatest man I ever knew

He will be missed constantly

He was a hero to all of you

But he was a legend to me

Uncle Mike

Where are you?

Went into a coma

Revealed stomach cancer

Never heard his voice again

Never got to talk to him

The last time I ever saw him

The last time I ever got to talk to him

He was in a hospital bed

He was already lookin' pretty bad

Uncle Mike

Were are you?

Could tell his shake wasn't strong

His stand wasn't steady

He tried to come back

But he wasn't ready

And today his wall finally came down

B'we hadn't known for that long

He was strong all his life

He could have built an empire

Today his world ended

10:30 a.m.

He went so very quickly

We never saw it coming

In the end I'm sure it was hard to leave

But he left a legacy of love and memories

He was strong all his life

He did build an empire

By Ryan A. Jacob