Date of Birth: May 11, 1933
Date of Death: November 28, 2018
ORTYNSKI – Irving Ortynski of St. Paul Lutheran Home, Melville, SK and formerly of Fenwood, SK, beloved husband of Marge. Irving passed away peacefully the morning of Nov. 28, 2018 at St. Paul Lutheran Home with his family by his side after a year and a half of illness.
Irving was born on May 11, 1933 on the family farm near Fenwood. Irving was the youngest son to Russell and Josephine (Cherneski) Ortynski. He was raised on the farm north of Fenwood with his parents and older brother Edward, later moving to Fenwood. Irving attended school at Fenwood and completed his education at St. Joseph’s College in Yorkton.
During his school years, he played hockey with the Fenwood Flyers, St. Joseph’s College and a brief period with the Humboldt Indians and often talked about his coach Scotty Munro. He was also a cadet at St. Joseph’s College.
After attending college, Irving took over the family farm and often helped his father at the National Grain elevator in Fenwood. Irving began his career with CN Rail in February of 1956 and retired as a conductor in November of 1990.
On Aug. 9, 1955, Irving was united in marriage to Margaret Sawchin of Lorlie, SK at St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Fenwood. They made their home in Fenwood. They were blessed with three sons, Raymond, Bradley and Darren.
While working with CN and raising his family, Irving kept up the family farm with great passion and pride. During his career, he spent many hours with his family playing cards, attending hockey games, and visiting his children at Crooked Lake.
After retirement, he enjoyed camping with his wife, spending time with his grandchildren, Riley and Logan, and family, and going for drives, especially to Yorkton for the odd game of bingo. He also liked going to the casino for some entertainment and meeting new friends.
He enjoyed helping out with the maintenance of the Fenwood church and cemetery.
Irving was predeceased by his parents, Russell and Josephine, and by his granddaughter, Tiffany.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret of 63 years; son, Raymond (Brenda Gattinger) and her daughter, Chelsey and her fiance Dillon; son, Bradley (Leanne) and their sons, Riley (his daughter Quinn), and Logan; son, Darren; his brother, Edward (Dolores) and their family, Duane (Edith), Meldon (Janice), Genelle, Michael (Phyllis), and David (Lorna); and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and brothers and sisters-in-law.
Prayers were held on Monday, Dec. 3, 2018 at 6 p.m. from St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Melville with Fr. Bohdan Lukie C.Ss.R. Officiating. Requiem Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. from St. Henry’s Roman Catholic Church in Melville with Very Rev. Fr. Bohdan Lukie C.Ss.R. and Fr. Methodius Koshko C.Ss.R. as the Celebrants. The responses were sung by St. George’s Church Choir.
Arrangements were by Bailey’s Funeral and Cremation Care, Melville.
