Cornel Sawchuk

Cornel was born on August 22, 1931 to Stefan Sawchuk and Adela Urbanoski in Yorkton Saskatchewan. After graduating from high school at the age of 16 and attending college for 2 years, he landed a job at the local Regina radio station CKRM and then transferred to Saskatoon radio station CFQC. When the radio station branched into television, Cornel jumped at the chance to be in front of the camera. First with the TV show “Ted and Corney at Large” and later, “Just Corney at Large”, Cornel had found his dream career. Moving to Vancouver, he ended up back in radio at CJOR and then CHQM. In Cranbrook he co-owned and managed CKEK Cranbrook, CFEK Fernie and CJAT Trail.  Leaving radio, Cornel found himself as part of a local travelling acting group called Kootenay Troupe for about a year, putting his feet back in the limelight. He later became manager of the Tamarack Shopping Centre in Cranbrook, he was transferred to Surrey Place Mall in Surrey BC and then to Richmond Centre in Richmond BC where he worked until his retirement.  He then moved to Nanoose Bay BC where he helped run Tree Tops Bed & Breakfast and eventually settled in an apartment in Parksville BC.

Cornel owned and flew his own Cessna airplane. He was a passionate bridge player becoming a “Gold Life Master”. He made a hole-in-one at the Mylora golf club 8th hole in June 1991. He loved to travel and has been to numerous countries around the world. He was an incredible actor with the Cranbrook community theatre, winning many awards and acknowledgements as a performer and director. He worked in collaboration with Bud Abbott to save the property now known as the Studio Stage Door Theater from demolition. He was a Master of Ceremonies for the local Cranbrook Sweetheart pageant for many years, an active member of the Associated Canadian Travelers and completed the Toastmasters Communication and Leadership program.

He was involved in the Cranbrook Rotary Club, president for three years, leading efforts to save the clock tower, became a member of the Surrey rotary Club and was named a Paul Herris Fellow. 

Cornel and Margaret (Miggs) had 3 children, Stephen, Drew (Gail and two children) and Deneen (Lance with 3 children and 4 grandchildren). He loved spending time with his family and made a point of visiting sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and attending many of the family reunions, weddings, birthdays, graduations, performances, etc. held over the years. 

Cornel was predeceased by his father Stefan, his mother, Adela, his brother Ambrose, his sisters Cecilia, Violet and Amarylis.  He is survived by his children, Stephen, Drew and Deneen, his exwives, Miggs and Patricia, his beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and all of their families.

There will be a celebration of life on Saturday May 18th, 2024 from approximately noon to 3pm at Yates Memorial in Parksville BC.  The family requests that donations be made to help support Ukraine Refugees or to the BC Cancer Foundation in lieu of flowers.