Date of Birth: December 6, 1956
Date of Death: September 15, 2021
Gerald Zulyniak passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, at St. Peter’s Hospital, Melville, SK. He was 64 years of age.
Gerald was born on Dec. 6,1956, in Melville, SK, to Micheal and Olga (nee Pillipow) Zulyniak. He was the seventh born of twelve siblings. Gerald grew up on the farm in the Plainsview district, where he farmed with his father, Mike, and his siblings. He was a very hard-working fella, from pitching square bales to planting crops and feeding animals. Gerald enjoyed riding and breaking horses, sleigh rides and going to barn dances in the evening when the work was done. A few years later, Gerald decided to pursue a job at Leon’s Manufacturing in Yorkton. He worked there for awhile but decided that it wasn’t his calling, he wanted to farm, and he did just that.
Gerald met the love of his life, Delilah, and they were married for 35 years. They raised four beautiful children, Tracy, Trent, Tricia and Travis. Gerald, Delilah and family lived in Melville for about ten years before purchasing a farm seven miles west of Melville. There Gerald farmed for over 27 years, raising cattle, horses, chickens and pigs, along with seeding crops with the old Seed Rite, harvesting and making hay. Gerald and his kids were known for making a lot of square bales each year to feed their cattle and horses. But it wasn’t all about work for them; Gerald and his family also all enjoyed bonfires and weiner roasts, camping at the lake and just going for a Sunday drive around the country – and if the kids behaved, they got ice cream!
After being on the farm, Gerald and Delilah moved to Melville and lived in a few rental homes before they purchased their retirement home in Melville, but due to unforeseen circumstances, a couple years later, Gerald lived by himself just off Manitoba St. There he always told me he had his peace and quiet at last. Even though Gerald’s health was not the strongest, he spent his last time going out to his son Trent and Alison’s place for supper, making sausage, canning fruits and vegetables and making Gerald’s favourite chocolate cake. Gerald also loved taking the kids on quad rides, or he just sat down with a tea and visited with them for hours. He was also very grateful for his kids, especially the ones who helped him with all his medical needs. Gerald loved to cook, bake and can in his spare time. Being in the kitchen was one of his favourite things to do – and he sure knew how to fix up a good pie Gerald was a kind, gentle soul, joyful with telling jokes, and had a heart of gold. He was always doing things for others with no expectation of anything in return.
Gerald had great love and joy for all of his seven grandkids from oldest to youngest: Brooke, Brailee, Paeyton,
Lailynn, Trexton, Genesis and Traiton. He held every one of them every chance he got. He gave all his kiddies the world. He always said that his grandkids were the ones he pushed on for – his “li’l buddies”.
Gerald was predeceased by his parents, Mike and Olga Zulyniak; his brother, Clifford Zulyniak; and his daughter, Tracy Zulyniak. He leaves to mourn his passing: his wife, Delilah Zulyniak; his son, Trent (Alison) Zulyniak and their four children, Paeyton, Lailynn, Trexton and Traiton Zulyniak; his daughter, Tricia Zulyniak (Jonathan) and his son, Travis Zulyniak; his granddaughters, Brooke Zulyniak and Brailee Zulyniak-Fifield; his great-granddaughter, Genesis Zulyniak-Kenney; his brothers and sisters, Sharon (Myron) Kulasa, Shirley (Glen) Steffan, Richard (Verlee) Zulyniak, Ronnie (Sharon) Zulyniak, Barry Zulyniak, Glen (Ellie) Zulyniak, Donna (Terry) Pfeifer, Donnie Zulyniak, Debbie Orr and Cheryle (Brian) Zulyniak; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial for Gerald was celebrated Saturday, Aug. 25, 2021, at St. Henry’s Roman Catholic Church, Melville, with the Rev. Fr. Andrew Sowa, OMI celebrating and Deacon Dave Hudy assisting. The music was provided by Len Gadica on organ and Jonathan Bradley on violin. The readers were Jana Szabo, Chandra Coutts and Michelle Zulyniak. Honorary bearers were Glen Steffan, Sharon Zulyniak, Shirley Steffan, Donna Pfeifer, Debbie Orr, Cheryle Zulyniak, Sharon Kulasa and Ally Zulyniak. Interment took place in St. Henry’s Parish Cemetery, Melville, with Richard Zulyniak, Ronnie Zulyniak, Donnie Zulyniak, Barry Zulyniak, Glen Zulyniak,Brian Zulyniak, Ernie Hickie and Lawrence Melnyk acting as pallbearers.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
