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- The family of Lorne Kenneth Gazdewich of Hyas, SK, is saddened to announce his sudden passing on January 19, 2024, at the age of 74 years.
Lorne was born on June 4, 1949, the second of nine children, to Stephen and Nettie (Anastasia) Gazdewich in Canora, SK.
Lorne grew up on the family farm south of the highway between Hyas and Norquay and attended school at Ulric, Moss Lake and Hyas. Over the years he shared stories of the naughty, but innocent, pranks he played alongside his peers when he was school age. He left school in his high school years to help out on the family farm. In his early adult years, he worked in construction and helped build many roads in the area. He also became acquainted with truck driving and continued to do some farming.
Lorne married Marlene Zinchuk on June 30, 1973. They moved to The Pas, MB, in 1975 where they began their trucking company, L&M Gazdewich Trucking. While Marlene worked a variety of jobs, Lorne continued to operate the trucking company with the help of his loving wife’s assistance. In 1981, they welcomed their daughter, Michelle, into the world. In the late 1980s, Lorne and Marlene built and managed a Goodyear tire dealership that they ran together called, Lomac Enterprises, while continuing to operate the trucking company. In 1994, they had the opportunity to follow their dream and move to British Columbia. They sold their tire business and home and headed west soon afterward. They settled in Salmon Arm, BC, and built a home there with a beautiful view that they hoped to someday retire in. Lorne continued to drive truck and operate heavy duty equipment in several different capacities in BC while also spending time driving his own semi back in Manitoba. Tragically, Marlene passed away in 2002, in a semi accident that Lorne was involved in as well. Lorne continued to work and spend time with companions in BC until he had a stroke in 2008. Shortly afterward, he moved back to the prairies to be near family. He reconnected with Sharon McDuff, who he had known from his years in The Pas. Sharon and her late husband had been friends with Lorne and Marlene. Lorne and Sharon established a hobby farm south of Hyas where they lived together for the next 14 years. After moving back to Saskatchewan, Lorne worked for Broda, drove grain truck for several farmers, and, most recently, served as a councillor for the RM of Keys. Sadly, Sharon passed away in November 2023 after a short fight with cancer. Lorne’s unexpected passing occurred exactly two months after Sharon’s. As strong and mighty as he was for so many years, his heart likely could not take such heartbreak any longer.
Aside from the people and occupation he loved, he also enjoyed a variety of activities, most of which were outdoor. Lorne loved to fish, boat, camp, cook, and play cards. When he lived in BC, he was an avid golfer as well. Although Lorne enjoyed vacations to Hawaii, Las Vegas, and the Bahamas, he was more content to go on road trips near and far across Canada and the United States. In his later years, he kept himself busy making homemade wine, breeding rabbits and pigs, and caring for his sea buckthorn orchard. Lorne was unapologetically proud of his daughter and her family and treasured being a Gido. He made every possible attempt to attend birthday parties, dance recitals, piano recitals, baseball and hockey games for his grandchildren.
Lorne is survived by his daughter – Michelle, son-in-law – Michael, and grandchildren – Steven, Boston, Silas, and Asher Guillet. He is also survived by: his brothers – Brent Gazdewich and Delwyn (Marilyn) Gazdewich; his sisters – Cori (Ken) Wade, Cindee (Wally) Danielson, Colleen Gazdewich, and Clarissa (Dwayne) Mydonick; his brothers-in-law – Lorne Zinchuk and Eddie (Carol) Balyski; his sister-in-law – Lydia Dzaman; Sharon’s family – Carrie (Noel), Stacy (Todd), Brent (Susanne); Halie (Jake), Thomas (Sarah) & their children, and Elizabeth, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by: the first love of his life, his wife – Marlene, the last love of his life, his common-law partner – Sharon, his parents – Stephen and Nettie Gazdewich, his parents-in-law – Harry and Mary Zinchuk, his brothers – Tim Gazdewich and Gerald Gazdewich, his brothers-in-law – Barry Danielson, Lawrence Wayde, and Dmytro Dzaman, his sister-in-law – Marlene Gazdewich, his nieces – Melanie Zinchuk, Cheryl Wayde, and Darlene Fullawka and his great-nephew – Matthew Fullawka.
A public viewing will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, on Sunday, January 28, 2024, and Funeral services at 11:00 am on Monday, January 29, 2024, both from the Chapel of Leson’s Funeral Home in Canora with Laura Dahl officiating. Interment will follow at the Canora Cemetery.
Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Lorne Gazdewich.
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