Athen Gazdewich

Notes:

Obituary
GAZDEWICH – Athen Gazdewich of Yorkton, beloved husband of Emily Gazdewich passed away peacefully at his home on November 5, 2022. Athen was born on September 16, 1940, to John and Annie (neé Romashenko) Gazdewich. He grew up on a farm seven miles south of Hyas, attending Moss Lake Elementary School. He then moved to Canora for high school, staying with his maternal grandparents (the Romashenkos). After graduating, Athen moved to Regina where he stayed with his sister, Jean, and her husband Michael Markewich. He worked at Sears and then at Sask Power, meeting Emily Bossey, whom he would marry on July 30, 1966. They moved to North Battleford where he obtained his diploma in Public Health Inspection. Crescentia was born on September 9, 1967 and five years later, the family moved to Esterhazy where they purchased their first home. In addition to his full-time health inspection work, Athen joined the Esterhazy Volunteer Fire Department. During this time, Curtis was born on June 27, 1973. Many great friendships were forged over five years in Esterhazy, and more followed when he and the family moved to Yorkton for his position as supervisor in Public Health. He would spend the next 45 years of his life in this town, but not without special interludes… Athen and Emily celebrated their twenty-fifth anniversary in Hawaii. This started a mutual love for travel that included Jamaica, Ixtapa, Barcelona, the Mayan Riviera, Cuba, Las Vegas, and the Maritimes. They ventured even farther with more embracing tours of Europe and China and cruises to Alaska, Panama and New Zealand. Athen was a faithful parishioner of St. Mary's Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He had a passion for gardening, cross-country skiing, and dancing to Ukrainian music. He also enjoyed watching his son and grandson play hockey.

He was predeceased by his parents, John and Annie; brothers Eugene and Arthur Gazdewich, sister Jean Markewich, and in-laws Sam Dutchak, and Michael Markewich. He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 56 years Emily, his daughter Crescentia Rozdeba, his son Curtis (Christine), his grandson Riley Rozdeba (Sasha Sobothniski), and sister Veronica Dutchak. Athen radiated the kind of warmth and curiosity that instantly endeared him to everyone. His contagious smile, his uplifting laugh, and his genuine caring for others inevitably made him everyone’s “favourite uncle” in no time. Maya Angelou said that “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Athen’s exceptional legacy was making everyone feel special and treasured, and it is this example of love that so any miss now and carry forward to honour him.

Prayers were held on November 11th, preceded by the rosary led by members of the Knights of Columbus. The Funeral Liturgy was held on Saturday, November 12th at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton with Rev. Fr. Leonid Malkov, C.Ss.R. as the Celebrant. The responses were led by Lorne Stechyshyn and the Funeral Choir. The crossbearer was Crescentia Rozdeba and the epistle reader was Laura Markewich. Members of the Knights of Columbus, Father Delaere Council held the honour guard. The interment followed in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Riley Rozdeba, Gilbert Combres, Lorne Stechyshyn, Randy Markewich, Leonard Markewich and Terry Chaikowsky serving as the casketbearers. Tributes were shared by Lorne Stechyshyn and Leonard Markewich. Condolences to the family can be posted at baileysfuneralhome.com Memorials in memory of Athen may be made to St. Mary’s Church or Liturgy Offerings.

Вічная Пам'ять - Eternal Memory


Athen Gazedwich:

Link: https://memorials6.frontrunnerpro.com/memorials/athen-gazdewich/5063378/index.php

Athen married Emily Bossey on 30 Jul 1967. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Curtis Gazdewich was born on 27 Jun 1973.
2. Crescentia Gazdewich

John married (Anne) Annie Romashenko. (Anne) (daughter of John (Ivan) Romashenko and Alexandria (Valeska) Twerdochlib) was born in 1908; died in 2007. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

1903 Came to Canada

John married Alexandria (Valeska) Twerdochlib on 16 Jul 1906 in St. Phillips Mission, Keys Reserve. Alexandria (daughter of Walter Twerdochlib and Rosella) was born in May 1888 in Borshiw, Western Ukraine; died on 27 Nov 1970; was buried in Canora Cemetery, Canora, Saskatchewan, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Nykyfor married Salomeya (Salameya) Huska on 8 Nov 1874 in Babyntsi, Galicia, Borshchiv Raion, Western Ukraine. Salomeya (daughter of Mykhailo Huska and Anna Jarema) was born in 1855; died on 9 Mar 1920. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Roman Huska (35)(1868-1957) + Paraska Huska (Martyniuk) (25)(1878-(1959)
- Mykhailo Huska (6) (1897-1903 May16) buried at sea
- John Huska (3) (1900-1954)
- Dmytro Huska (1) (1902)(1961)
-George (Jurko) Martyniuk (17) (1886)(1964) (Paraska's brother)
-John (ivan) Romashenko (21) (1882-1969)
On Friday, 12 May 1903, this group left Hamburg, Germany on the SS Bulgaria, arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on Wednesday 27 May 1903. They took the train to Grandview, Manitoba where they were met by their sponsor.
Kyrylo Lukey (54) (1849) + Maria Lukey
- Peter Lukey (1876-1953) (Canada 1898)
- Wasylina Lukey (Musey) (1884)
- Simon Lukey (1885-1963)
- Andrew Lukey (1892)




Salomeya Romashenko (Huska) (49-50?) arrived in Canada (1906) with
- Maria (Martha) Romashenko (Yacyshen) (23) (1881-1947) and
- Wasylena (Lena) Romeshenko (Martyniuk) (15) (1889-1957)
(Brother Roman Huska & son John (Ivan) Romasneko arrived in 1903 to Canada.
- Maria Romeshenko (22) married Saverko Yacyshen (20) on the 27 Mar. 1905, at Alex Yacyshen house (Registration of Marriage)
- Wasylena Romashenko married George (Jurko) Martyniuk and
- John (Ivan) Romeshenko married Alexander Twerdeclub on 16th of July 1906, at St. Phillips Mission, Keys Reserve




Norquay Nostalgia 1912-1982 page 110
A few years later a quiet and sensitive widow, Mrs. Solomeya Romeshenko, with three teenagers foresaw that it would be wiser to leave their better than average living in the Ukraine and make the move to Canada. So after much thought, consideration, and fear, they ventured into this land of opportunity. With eager enthusiasm John Romeshenko, Martha (Yachyshyn) and Lena (Martynuik) encouraged their mother to set sail. They had a better ship, faster sailing, and better food, even entertainment, which the children thoroughly enjoyed. However, mother Solomeya was playfully anticipating the unknown; but like George, with deep faith, she relied open the "above" to look after them too.

Walter married Rosella. Rosella died in Ukraine. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]