MICHAEL KARASEWICH

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MICHAEL KARASEWICH We have been blessed to have him in our lives so we say farewell with sadness. Still we feel gratitude that this man was able to live in his own home until a few weeks before his peaceful passing in the early hours of June 3, 2008. At the Stonewall Hospital, Michael Karasewich, much loved husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa passed away. He was days away from his 99th birthday. We will miss him. Mike is survived by his devoted wife of 69 years, Alice Karasewich. Also leaving behind, six children, Marie Pull (Ed), Diane Rayner (Floyd), Harold, David, Donald (Debi) and Nancy Lawrence (Lyle) as well as 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Michael was born June 13, 1909 to John and MaryAnn Karasewich in Austrian Territory, which is now part of the Ukraine. His father left the family when Mike was four years old, to find work in Canada and did so in Stonewall. When Mike was five years old, he lost his mother, brother Peter (three), and sister Anna (one) to typhoid. Without parents, he was cared for in three different homes by his aunts and paternal grandparents. He loved being on the farm best. During the war years he hid the horses from the soldiers, took potato peels and other food scraps to people in hiding. Mike experienced war, poverty and hardship during this time. After the war he was able to attend school, where he completed Grade 4 at age 14. At this age Mike boarded a ship for Halifax and then a train to Stonewall to come and live with his father. His father recognized Mike by the clothes that he had sent Mike. Mike was put into grade 1 since he could not speak English and soon dropped out to work at Elliot's farm. Not afraid of hard work, he took on a number of different tasks. Mike's most memorable job was operating electric shovels and the drag line in the Yukon. He also worked in Flin Flon on the power lines. In the late 30s he bought a business in Stonewall - a bowling alley, beauty parlour, barbershop, poolroom and residence, which is where he lived before and after marrying Alice Black in 1939. During the Second World War he enlisted and was stationed on the East coast giving the young men their last haircut before being sent overseas. When the war was over, he returned home and began his lifelong career as Mike the barber in his shop on Main Street. When Mike wasn't barbering he would be enjoying the outdoors in his abundant vegetable garden or his flower garden. During the winter, he could be found at the hockey or curling rinks. His greatest love was fishing, which he would enjoy at every opportunity with his sons and grandchildren and his many fishing buddies. When Mike closed the shop for good the sign on the door read, Gone fishing . A celebration of Mike's life will be held on Monday, June 9, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at MacKenzie's Funeral Home, Stonewall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Words cannot express how thankful we are for the care given to Dad by the staff at Stonewall Hospital. Special thanks to Diane Ammeter and Donna Jones for your compassion and kindness. We also want to give heartfelt thanks to Ed and Ines Hartle as well as Arline Hunter for being there when we couldn't. Fisherman's Prayer Dear Lord I pray Let me fish till that certain day, And when your net is cast into the deep I pray you judge and find me fit to keep, When in your home O'Lord I say, Forever may I fish and stay.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 07, 2008