June 26, 1938 – March 21, 2018
George Hawrylow was born on June 26, 1938 in Marlin, SK, to Alex and Nellie Hawrylow, a brother to Pete and sisters Olga and Violet. He went to school in Marlin Country School.
In 1950 they moved to Meadow Lake, where he continued his schooling in Braeval School. He completed his Grade 8 and went farming with his dad. George ran about 200 cows, some with Denver Dull, the rest at home. In 1964, his parents moved into town, so he purchased the land and started to farm on his own. He married Stella Yarmuch in 1967, and raised two girls: Denise and Christine.
George enjoyed fishing and hunting with his buddies. He never took his wife and said she “only took up space and never caught anything anyway”. He loved fishing with Mel Hill and Denver. They flew up north, even though he was afraid of flying. There was always Gravol before the flight.
In the 90s George decided to retire and took on his love of wood to do woodworking. He made a line of furniture for his girls: tables, chairs, armoire, and bedroom sets, and a complete set of kitchen cupboards and an entire hair salon for Denise. He made something for everyone. When Stella asked him for a stool, he just said “put your name on the list”. When she finally got one, Christopher’s dad came for a visit and it went to Toronto with him… no more stool.
George loved his grandchildren and the first thing he did was tune up the little motor-bike. Even though he was way too tall for the bike, he lovingly took each for a ride with a huge grin on his face. He loved to see the joy on their faces as they were riding.
Another thing George shared with his grandchildren was his love for ice cream. An invitation for a drive with Grampa was always a sure sign of one thing… ice cream. George loved ice cream and shared his love for this creamy delight with his grandchildren every chance he could.
George also loved to watch things grow, so much so that he maintained both a garden and a collection of almost 100 trees of various fruits, including apples, plums, cherries, huscaps, raspberries and many strawberry plants as well. He was forever trying to find newer and better varieties of these plants, hence the mini orchard behind the garage. He also had a large garden. Each year enough produce was harvested to feed a few families, and even then, he always had to look for ‘takers’, as there was always such an abundance of everything. He also enjoyed a good game of cards, Kaiser and cribbage being two of his favourites.
George was battling cancer for almost 10 years. In 2016, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form for which there was no cure. After chemotherapy, things looked good. Two months later it progressed again. He made his last trip to Canmore for Thanksgiving and started his last Chemo, which didn’t seem to work, in December. On March 21, with Stella and the girls by his side, he gave up the fight, and left us all for a better place, free of pain and sickness. Rest in peace, George.
A prayer service was held March 26 at 7:30 pm. The funeral service was March 27 at 10:00 am at All Saints Orthodox Church in Meadow Lake, SK with Celebrant Rev. Bohdan Demczuk and Cantor Jim Shewchuk. The cross-bearer was Mark Metrunec. Honourary Pallbearers were Stan and Flo Chrabasz, Art and Faye Paulhus, Mel Hill, all grandchildren, nieces and nephews. The Pallbearers were J.J. Lamoureux, Gavyn Lamoureux, Dale Hawryliw, John Sendecki, Melvin Carl and Clarence Dull.
George is lovingly survived by his wife: Stella Hawrylow; children: Denise Lamoureux of Hay River, NT and Christine (Chris) Wickens of Canmore, AB; grandchildren: J.J. and Gavyn Lamoureux, Madeline, Clara and Jacob Wickins; sisters: Olga Kindel, Violet and Don Summerfeld; and other family: Dale and Colleen Hawryliw, Melvin and Donna Carl, Randy and Kathy Kindel, Kelvin and Sandy Summerfeld and Gerry Summerfeld.
He was predeceased by his parents: Alex and Nellie Hawrylow, brothers: Peter Hawryliw, Bill Hawrylow and Andrew Hawrylow; in-laws: Andrew and Irene Yarmuch; and brother-in-law: Mike Kindel.
Card of Thanks
Thank you to Martens Warman Funeral Home. Thank you to Dr. Trickovic, Dr. Loots and colleagues, nurses: Annette Bannerman, Lisa Meagher and Nurse Cassie, as well as the ambulance staff. Thank you Eunice Sergent for serving the great dinner after the service.
Thank you from Stella, Denise,
Christine, (Christopher) and families.
