Vincent Edward Machniak

He was predeceased by his parents John and Tekla Machniak; all 13 of his siblings: brothers George, Walter, Vic, Leon, Al, Leo, Carl, Ed and Tony and sisters Julie, Kay, Rose and Caroline.

Vince is survived by his wife Carol; daughter Sandra (Ban); son-in-law Russell; grandchildren Dylan, Amber, Hannah and Ethan; and son Randy (Jody Eckel).

Vince was born on the homestead south of Cupar, SK on February 12, 1934. He grew up in a busy home with many siblings. He always said his mom had a huge garden, chickens, milk cows and cooked big meals on her wood stove for the family. Vince and his brothers spent many hours of their childhood roaming through the coulee near their home. Three of Vince’s brothers went to war. As a child, Vince remembered his Mom worrying about her sons and Vince spoke of that time with a sadness in his voice. His brothers returned and the family was grateful. As Vince grew up he and his brother Vic drove horses and the van to school. He always said his mom would get up in the dark with the coal oil lamp to start the day and he and his brothers would go feed and water the horses for the trip to Cupar. When Vince finished school he worked for his brother Ed, eventually he took over the family farm.

He and Carol LaBrash married on October 16, 1965. In 1970 Carol went up to Black Lake where she taught, taking Sandra their young daughter, and Vince joined them after harvest was completed. They enjoyed their experiences there, Vince often spoke fondly of the many people he met and the different way of life he had seen. They brought home with them a husky/wolf puppy along with many good memories. In 1975 Randy was born and Vince and Carol’s family was complete. Vince enjoyed seeing things grow. He grew many crops and farmed with Randy for a few years. After retiring to Cupar in 2007 he enjoyed tending his strawberry patch and picking the fruits of his labour, not just anyone could enter his strawberry patch! Vince always made time to visit with family and friends who would drop by to visit.

Vince and Carol enjoyed playing cards with family and friends and had many Canasta and King Pedro games with their neighbours Cy and Alice Grant when they still were living on the farm. Vince briefly enjoyed watching Rider games on TV with his grandson Dylan but after a while quit as they frustrated him too much! Vince was a John Deere man through and through! He excelled at track and field as a teenager. He loved to run, skate, swim, and spent a lot of time with his brothers. Vince enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren playing cards or just visiting. Vince was always close to his family. There were many visits at the farm with his brothers and sisters and all of their children coming to visit. It was a busy home. Vince and Carol’s hospitality and kindness drew people to them.

Vince left this world a better place, his smiling face and gentle demeanor will be missed and remembered always.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

Donations can be made to a charity of your choice.