Date of Birth: March 4, 1931
Date of Death: April 6, 2022
The funeral mass for Art Sastaunik will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 10 a.m. from St. Henry’s Roman Catholic Church in Melville with Father Andrew Sowa, OMI, as the Celebrant.
On the morning of Wednesday, April 6, 2022, God reunited Arthur Sastaunik with his beloved wife Val at the age of 91 years. At the time of his passing, his daughter was with him at the Kamsack Nursing Home.
Dad was born March 4, 1931 in Bateman, SK. He attended elementary school in Bateman and Gravelbourg. When he was a teenager the family moved to a farm near Grayson where he helped with chores, as well as worked on neighbouring farms. Dad started working on the Canadian National Railways in Melville as a fireman and was later promoted to engineer. He retired after 37 years of dutiful service.
While at a hockey game, Dad met the love of his life, Valentrina Kostyshyn. They were married on Oct. 18, 1954. Mom and Dad celebrated a loving marriage for 65 years until Mom’s passing in 2019. Dad was a devoted, dedicated and loving husband. Dad’s loyalty and deep love for Mom showed as he cared for her daily when she lived at St. Paul Lutheran Home for 12 years with Alzheimer’s.
Art and Val raised three children. They were devoted parishioners of St. Henry’s Roman Catholic Church and instilled their faith in their children and the importance of family. Family always came first for Dad. He was a hard worker and a good provider, making sure that his family was able to participate in their activities and various sports. It was important for Dad to be involved with his kids sports teams and often took on the “coach” role. His greatest joys were spending time with his children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. He was also a compassionate animal lover as there was always a dog, cat or bird in the house.
Art was a committed member of the Knights of Columbus, the Melville Horticultural Society and Melville Minor Sports. Mom and Dad volunteered for 20 years operating the canteen in the Melville Stadium. Numerous lifelong friendships were made and Art’s long tenure as volunteer was recognized with a lifetime season ticket for the
Melville Millionaire Junior A hockey team. Dad was also an avid fan of the Melville Millionaire’s Western Canadian Baseball League team.
Dad took great pride in his home on 10th Ave. He and Mom won several Horticultural awards for the beauty they created in their yard.
In 2012, Dad sold his home and moved to Caleb Village. He enjoyed participating in all activities there, especially his favorite, playing cards. When asked how he enjoyed living at Caleb, he said “If I had a crown, I would be a King”.
As sad as it is to say goodbye to Dad, knowing he is together with Mom again eases the pain of our loss.
Art was predeceased by his wife Val; son-in-law, Chris Nicholson; parents, Mary and Phillip Sastaunik; parents-in-law, Nellie and Bill Kostyshyn; brother, Harold Sastaunik; sister, Pearl (Leon) Ness; sister-in-law, Sophie (John) Borys; nieces, Lori Sastaunik, Donna Ness; and nephews, Kim Sastaunik, Darcy Dietz and Dennis Murphy.
Dad will be greatly missed by his children, Randy (Donna), Genelle and Blair (Debbie); grandchildren, Becky (Garrett), Michael (Czarina), Brett (Bree), Derek (Autumn) Jordan (Lindsay), Lindsay, Brendan (Sofia), Jaden and Reece; great-grandchildren, Mira, Dominic, Benjamin, Blake, Eloise, Sullyvan and Alaina. Also mourning his passing are brothers, Lloyd (Billie) and Ken Sastaunik; sister, Doris (Carl) Dietz; sister-in-law, Lydia Sastaunik; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A very special thank you from Art’s family for all your kind words and condolences. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations in kind remembrance of Art can be made to St. Henry’s Parish Cemetery Fund, The Diabetes Society or Alzheimer’s Society.
Please remember Dad in your prayers.
Arrangements by Bailey’s Funeral Home, Melville.
