Date of Birth: April 19, 1932
Date of Death: February 24, 2017
Philip “Phil” Kreklewich of Yorkton and formerly of Melville, Sask., husband of the late MaryAnn Kreklewich, entered his eternal rest on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, at Yorkton Union Hospital at the age of 84 years.
Phil was born on April 19, 1932 in the Brewer district of Saskatchewan to George and Martha (nee Woloschuk) Kreklewich. He was the fifth oldest of seven children. Phil received his Grade 8 at Happy Home School and left school to assist at the family farm. Phil later took a diesel mechanical course in Edmonton before obtaining work with the CN Railway in Melville as a conductor. Phil worked for the CN for over 35 years and was very proud of his work.
As a young man, Phil enjoyed and participated in most sports including hockey, baseball, curling and golf. He always liked helping out at the family farm.
On Oct. 4th, 1958, Phil was united in marriage to MaryAnn Wenet at St. Henry’s Roman Catholic Church in Melville. Phil and MaryAnn built their dream home together in 1973. They resided in Melville and were blessed with nine children for whom they sacrificed greatly. Phil was always a very devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Phil loved playing cards. Cards were not just a source of entertainment for him, but he treasured the time spent together with family. He also enjoyed visiting with, and watching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren learn and grow. Phil also cared much for his church community; he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a volunteer leader of the St. Henry’s Parish Cemetery.
He now joins in heaven, his wife, MaryAnn; daughter, Shirley at age six months; parents, George and Martha; grandchildren, twins, Nicholas and Brandon; brothers, Andrew and Alfred (in infancy); sister, Mary Osicki; and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law.
Phil leaves to cherish his memory: his children, David (Karen) of Melville and children, Kristine, Kelsey, Jared and Sarah; Marie (Dan) Petryshyn of Pilot Butte and children, Michael, Nicole (Dale Moffat) and Danielle; Robert (Rebecca) of Toronto and daughter, Anaïs; Loraine Yarotsky (Terry Temple) of Melville and Loraine’s children, Melissa, Robert and Lorie; Wes (Lynda) of Estevan and children, Jenna and Carly; Gary (Nadine) of Melville and children, Jaden, Tyler and Jennaya; Darlene (Troy) Rutten of Melville and children, Andrew, Desirée and Cameron; Rick (Sara) of Blackfalds and children, Kailey and Kenton; great-grandchildren, Tristan Leblanc and Leland Moffat; siblings, Peter Kreklewich of Toronto; Anne (Tony) Novakowski of Martensville; Rose Walchuk of Melville and Joe (Marion) Kreklewich of Melville; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Funeral mass was held on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at 1 p.m. from St. Henry’s Roman Catholic Church in Melville with Rev. Fr. Mieczyslaw Burdzy, OMI, as the celebrant.
Arrangements were by Bailey’s Funeral Home, Melville.
