It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of William (Bill) Badiuk, of 925 Third St. East in Fort Frances. He slipped away peacefully Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at the age of 83 with his family by his side. The last five years of his life he suffered with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a disease including dementia and Parkinson’s like symptoms.
He was born July 6, 1927 in Stuartburn, Manitoba to the late George and Mary Badiuk. His family moved to Fort Frances when he was two years old. After graduating high at 16, he started working for Mel Newman as a parts man. In 1949 he became manager of Melfort Equipment Ltd., a division of Mel Newman Ltd., selling Ford Tractors, New Holland farm equipment and Skidoo snowmobiles. In 1953 he married Dixie Locking and they had three sons, Rob, Jim and Peter. In 1978, Bill purchased Melfort and started his own company, Badiuk Equipment, moving it west to Crozier. This new company was where he spent most of his time, his passion being his business, and as it grew, it included his wife and three sons. He loved dealing with farm customers spending long hours at work. His many interests included golf and curling, which he did for over 60 years. He enjoyed playing bridge with his friends and watching hockey and baseball. He also enjoyed travelling on many business trips, through the companies to Europe, London, the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii. After their retirement they took numerous trips to Florida to relax and play some golf.
His other interests included building a family cabin on Rainy Lake. Bill spent many of his Saturdays at the lake clearing brush with his brothers, Chief and Moon. We have many great memories enjoying the beautiful view of the sunset from high up on the cabin deck. He loved sports and was an avid curler, an accomplished golfer, winning the Rainy Lake Open and other local and regional tournaments. Bill was instrumental in the design and development of the Kitchen Creek Golf and Country Club and later became president. He was an honourary member, (one of the original founding members in 1955) of the Fort Frances Rotary Club and was awarded the Paul Harris Rotary Fellowship award from the Rotary Club of Canada. He founded and ran the Rotary Club Santa Claus Christmas Parade for nearly a decade and organized the fireworks display for the January 1 year 2000 Millenium event. Bill was always involved in the community from Meals on Wheels to being a regular member of the Greek Orthodox Church. He was proud of his sons, enjoyed his grandchildren and was very appreciative of his loving wife Dixie.
Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dixie, his three sons, Rob (Lori) Badiuk of International Falls, MN and their children Matt and Dusty (Nikki) and great granddaughter Chloe, Jim (Beth) Badiuk of Fort Frances and their children Jessica, Chelsey and Chase and Peter Badiuk (Susan) of Fort Frances and their children David and Casey, and nieces and nephews. Bill is also survived by his brother Metro (Moon) Badiuk.
He was predeceased by his parents George and Mary Badiuk, his brother and sisters; Dora Gogosha, Helen Chornley, Nick (Chief) Badiuk, Rose Goatley, Mary Demaniuw and Olga Asplund.
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 7, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. sat Green Funeral Home with Fr. Gene Maximiuk officiating.
Cremation will take place at a later date with a celebration of Bill’s life to be held this summer at the Badiuk cabin on Rainy Lake.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to Rainycrest Long Term Care, St. George’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church or to the charity of your own choice in care of Green Funeral Home, Box 427, Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 3M8.
Rest in peace, Wasyl, we love you.
On-line condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
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