Date of Birth: September 26, 1924
Date of Death: October 13, 2016
It is with great sadness that the family mourns the passing of Walter Sass of Melville, Sask., and formerly of Fenwood, on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 at the age of 92 at St. Paul Lutheran Home.
Walter was born on Sept. 26, 1924 in the Hubbard district, the first child of Metro and Margaret Sass (nee Holowatuik). Walter went to Hubbard and Stanislaw School, and then, being the oldest of 15 children, helped out on the family farm.
On Nov. 8, 1947, Walter married the love of his life, Katie Dumalski, at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton. They farmed for 59 years near Fenwood on one-quarter section of land where they raised five daughters.
In 1965, Walter started work with the RM of Stanley as a road grader operator to supplement the farm income, where he worked for 26 years. Walter was proud of his work, maintaining the roads winter and summer, and was well-known for his excellent work. He truly enjoyed the family farm, the animals and harvesting the crops.
In 1997, Walter and Katie bought a home in Melville where he had more time to play pool with his brothers and friends. They enjoyed socializing and going for coffee, meeting up with old and new friends. Walter loved a good game of Troika with his children and grandchildren, but if you were his partner you better hope you had the right cards.
Walter was predeceased by his wife, Katie, in April 2013; his parents, Metro and Margaret; brothers: Peter, Steve, Frank, Nick and Mike; brother-in laws, Peter Pacholko, Steve Benko, Laudie Novakowski, Nick Benko, Raymond Dubiel and John Lazurko; sister-in-laws, Rose Sass and Liz Sass.
Walter leaves to cherish his memory: his five daughters; Darlene (Clarence) Woloshyn, Colin (Trena) Thomas, Keller, Devin, Jared (Bree), Kierden and Sloan; Sylvia McAvena, Ryan (Kim) Kayley and Ronan, Tara (Andy) McDonald, Hayden, Gavin, Keira and Savy; Brett (Ashley) Owen and Ava, Kyla and Kristy (Patrick) McAvena; Mariann Lopinski, Jason (Paige) and Amanda (Danny); Carolyn (Chris) Evancio, Brendan, Jayden (Amber) and Calan (Stephanie); Donna (Craig) Boake, Megan and Braden; brother, Bill (Phyllis); sisters, Sophie Pacholko, Anne Novakowski, Eleanor Benko, Mary Lazurko (Douglas), Rose Benko, Olga Dubiel, Jeanette (Adolph) Karapita and Angie (Fred) Zwirsky; and sisters-in-law, Joan Sass, Karen Sass, Mary Sass and Mildred Nagy.
Prayer service was held on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016 at 7 p.m. from St. Henry’s Roman Catholic Church in Melville.
Requiem divine liturgy was celebrated on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016 at 10 a.m. from St. Henry’s Roman Catholic Church with Very Rev. Fr. Peter Pidskalny, CSSR, from St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church as the celebrant. The responses were sung by St. George’s Church Choir. Special hymn by granddaughter, Megan Boake, accompanied by Sayward Kohlenberg, sang “Amazing Grace.” The epistle reader was granddaughter, Tara McDonald, and the cross bearers were granddaughters, Amanda Lopinski, Kyla McAvena and Kristy McAvena.
The casket bearers and honorary bearers were grandsons, Jared Woloshyn, Ryan McAvena, Jason Lopinski, Jayden Evancio, Braden Boake, Colin Woloshyn, Brendan Evancio, Calan Evancio, Devin Woloshyn, Brett McAvena and brother, Bill Sass.
Interment took place at St. Henry’s Parish Cemetery.
Arrangements were by Bailey’s Funeral Home, Melville.
