STEVE SCOUTY EWANCHUK

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STEVE "SCOUTY" EWANCHUK 1937 - 2001 Our brother, husband, father, and grandfather passed away suddenly on December 15, 2001. He was born near Rossburn, MB, on December 1, 1937, to Carrie and Fred Ewanchuk. Steve has one brother Nick; and five sisters, Joyce (Felix), Lucy (Bill), Ann, Nancy (deceased), and Ella. Dad was raised on a farm and had a deep connection to the earth, nothing pleased him more than going for walks or fishing. His nickname, Scouty, was a fitting name for a man who enjoyed being in the bush and scouting out berries or mushrooms. When Dad was 13 years old, he left home to strike out on the world. He went to his relatives place, Dora and Steve Ukrainetz. They were both sick, and Dad stayed with them for a year until things got better. The Ukrainetz family were always warmly spoken of by Dad. In the early 1960s Dad met Hazel Cameron, of the Swan Lake First Nation, and that love affair lasted 38 years. On their first date, Dad showed up with two bags of groceries, and our mom loved him from that moment. Chantilly Lace was their courting song. Together, Dad and Mom raised four sons, Charles (Chuck), Richard (Rick), Calvin (Sonny) and William (Will) and two daughters, Big Shirley and Little Shirley. Over the last 38 years, over 50 First Nation and Inuit students lived with our family. There were so many it is impossible to name all, but we would like to thank Lance Pranteau, The Duck Family from Tadoule Lake, and Sherry Sinclair for fun and fishing times you shared with Dad. Our family lived in Brooklands and Weston during the early years. Although he never learned how to skate, Dad was a coach, trainer and manager of his sons hockey teams. He was the biggest sports fan of his children and was a die-hard Winnipeg Jets and Bombers Fan. Mom, Dad, and our family spent many wonderful times with Ron and Gloria Cameron and family, Jim and Betty Hurst, and Les and Brenda Murdy. He will be sorely missed. He was a friend to his father-in-law, Mishomis Tommy Cameron, who lived with our family for seven years, until his death. To make a better life for our family, our Dad accepted a job at Man-For Pulp and Paper Mill in The Pas, MB, where he worked as a machinist for 20 years until he retired to be with his children and grandchildren in Winnipeg. Dad took special pride in the craftsmanship of his trade, and was proud when his son Rick followed in his footsteps and also became a machinist. Ken Telfer, Cal Jackson, John Perry and Lynn Shelp all worked beside our Dad. Our family fell in love with the North. The day we arrived in The Pas, strangers were sitting on the doorstep of our house, waiting for us to arrive. These strangers became longtime family friendsthank you to the Mutzs and Michel Pitre. We spent many summers camping with family and friends. One by one the children left home to pursue their dreams and Dad never missed a beat. Mom and Dad missed the children and grandchildren. Dad retired in 1999 and they moved to Winnipeg to be near them. Throughout the years Dad supported Mom and drove her and her family to feasts, sundances, and powwows. We can hear him say "What, another feast?" He missed and has joined his parents, and sister Nancy, and our family pet Cookie, who all passed on. Recently, our brother Calvin moved back to Winnipeg. This made Dad happy that the family were all back together. Granda spent alot of time with the grandchildren. Courtney, Ezarah, Arizona, Kallee, Devyn, Trinity and Tessa have lots of good memories, but will miss their granpa and poppa. He was a kind and gentle man. Hazel (Mom) would like to thank everyone for their calls and cards. We will be celebrating Dads life with a ceremony at the Aboriginal Funeral Home, 724 Selkirk Ave., at Parr Street, on Wednesday, December 19 at 1:00 p.m. If friends and family so wish, a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Steves memory would be appreciated. "We will miss you Dad. See you on the other side." - Hollywood, The Ricker, Bunk, Sledge and Lips.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 18, 2001