JACK HRYHORYSHEN

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JACK HRYHORYSHEN 1912 2009 On Sunday, May 24, 2009 Mr. Jack Hryhoryshen of Swan River, Manitoba passed away at the Swan Valley Health Centre at the age of 97 years. Jack is survived by his loving wife Mary Hryhoryshen and son Glenn (Kari) Horyshen, two grandchildren; Alexandra and Gregory, all of Swan River, one brother and three sisters; Metro (Della) Hryhoryshen of Pine River, Manitoba, Lena Sawchenko of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Ann Romak of Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan and Pauline Wilson of Agassiz, British Columbia. He was predeceased by his parents Alex and Pearl and by one sister Natalia Baschuk. Jack was born in Pine River on March 15, 1912 to Alex and Pearle (Bruce) Hryhoryshen at home. Jack attended school in Pine River until his mother took him out of school in Grade Four to help her on the farm after his father was hurt. When Jack turned 12 he was then old enough to cut cord wood himself which he would sell for $1.00 per cord. During the winter months Jack worked for the elevator and cooked in logging camps. Jack bought his first farm from his grandfather for $150/year and the taxes were $25. While farming Jack was also a cattle shipper for the Co-op in Pine River. The stockyards had opened around the year 1922. Jack also started a restaurant during this time because of his love of cooking, called Jack's Café. During this time Jack met and married Mary Boychuk. During the Second World War, Jack sold his café and started bringing tractors from southern Manitoba and selling them in the area. While selling tractors Jack also worked on the highways and continued farming. Jack was doing such a fine job that Mr. Bill Holland and Joe Macdonald (Mac Don Industries) helped Jack start his dealership in 1949 in Pine River called Jack's Implements and Service where he sold Cockshutt Farm Equipment Ltd. Jack's son Glenn was born in 1956, then in 1959 Jack moved his business and his family to Birch River where the business continued as Jack's Farm Equipment, which operated in Birch River from 1959 to 1979. Jack acted as the Salesman, Parts man, mechanic and General Manager at the dealership. Jack had a grain farm, ran a custom grain hauling business and helped to organize and form the Birch River Credit Union. Jack chose to remain in the farm equipment business and handed over the banking job to a full time manager. In 1979 when Glenn finished University he joined Jack in the business and opened Kelsey Farm Equipment Ltd. in Swan River. Jack sold equipment in Swan River until he was in his mid 70's. In his 80's he transported air seeders from St. Brieux, Saskatchewan to Swan River, Manitoba, a round trip of approximately 450 miles or 12 hours. Jack hauled equipment up until he was 93 years old and he farmed until he was 94. His daily activities at Kelsey included the mail and bank run and other parts pick ups and he also washed equipment daily. Jack was always interested in the business and still checked with Glenn asking him daily, What did we sell today? Jack drove his car to work until the last day. He will be remembered and missed by his many family, friends, and customers. His word was his bond. He never complained, everything was always, good . He was the ultimate self-made businessman setting a standard that few will attain. Jack enjoyed life or as he said having lots of fun and especially watching and playing with his 9 year old granddaughter, Alexandria and his 2 year old grandson Gregory. Evening prayers were held from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Holy Ascension in Swan River, Manitoba on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services were held from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Holy Ascension on Friday, May 29, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. with Reverend Father Patrick Powalinsky officiating, assisted by Cantor Zennovia Duch. Following the service, Jack was laid to rest in the family plot at the Birchwood Cemetery in Swan River, Manitoba. Should friends so desire, memorial donations in Jack's memory may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. Arrangements were entrusted to Jim Webster of Swan Valley Funeral Services Ltd. 363 Kelsey Trail (Hwy 10 North) Swan River, Manitoba, 734-5775.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 06, 2009