Date of Birth: June 27, 1940
Date of Death: March 5, 2022
Elmer Parachoniak pass-ed away Saturday, March 5, 2022 at the age of 81 years.
Elmer Paul was born June 27, 1940, an identical twin, to Nick and Mary (Boyarski) Parachoniak at the family farm near Hubbard, SK. He attended public school in Hubbard, Ituna High School and St. Joseph’s College in Yorkton, graduating in 1962.
Elmer was united in marriage to Joanna Lillian Wersta on June 1, 1963, at Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hubbard, SK. Elmer began his career working and training as a psychiatric nurse at the Saskatchewan Training School in Moose Jaw, SK, in 1965, graduating as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse on November 17, 1967. During his training, he was honoured to receive proficiency awards in Psychiatric Nursing and Recreational Occupational Therapy by the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan. He continued his education at the University of Regina in Social Sciences. Elmer was fortunate to become an Adjunctive Therapist III, teaching challenged handicap clients and students in a community setting. He was employed until his retirement in 1999 following 32 years of service.
Elmer was a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church for about 33 years. He volunteered during this time as a maintenance and landscaper at the church grounds. During this time, he received a certificate as a Plantsman from the Horticulture College of Olds, AB. He was involved in the Moose Jaw Horticultural Society as secretary for several years.
Elmer’s leisure outdoor activities included canoeing, camping, gardening, landscaping and sports. He also enjoyed polkafests, family gatherings and winter trips to the United States.
Elmer was predeceased by his parents, Nick and Mary (Boyarski) Parachoniak, six brothers, two sisters, in-laws John and Annie Wersta, brother-in-law Ernest Wersta and sister-in-law Gladys Wersta. Memories of Elmer will be cherished by his loving wife of almost 59 years, Joanna; son Lionel and Pat, Alexis; and daughters Lisa and Allen, Austin and Alyssa, and Lauren and Ray, Catlin.
Memory Eternal! Vichnaya Pamyiat!
A funeral service for Elmer was held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at Matthews Funeral Home, Melville, officiated by the Rev. Fr. Michael Faryna, with Yvonne Panchuk as cantor. Interment took place at the Holy Ghost Ukranian Orthodox Cemetery, Goodeve, with Jille Brackma, Catlin Kozo, Austin Fetsch, Glenn Stecyk, Kevin Stecyk and Allan Fetsch acting as pallbearers.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
