Obituary for John Potoroka
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John Potoroka, the eldest son of Anna (nee Yuristy) and Paul Potoroka, was born on the family homestead at Goodeve, SK, on August 7, 1925. He passed away at home on the farm on Friday, September 13, 2019, at the age of 94 years.
John was raised on the farm and attended Stryj School two miles south of home. He farmed together with his parents and later his brother, Mike. Together John and his dad built everything on the farmyard.
Farming was John’s greatest love. He was very dedicated and took great pride in all the work he did over the years. He loved welding and blacksmith work with the forge. You could always find him working on projects in the shop. John enjoyed tending to the cattle and working with the teams of horses. He also had a keen interest in barns and loved talking about their construction.
When his brother, Mike, married Elfrieda, John remained on the farm, and they all continued farming together. When his niece, Bonnie, came along, he enjoyed building things for her, teaching her about the farm and telling stories about the early years. John formed a strong bond with Bonnie and Elfrieda as they continued to live on the farm together for the rest of his life.
John remembered all of the Ukrainian holidays and reminded everyone in the house whenever there was a special day. He was fond of “St. John’s Day”, or “his day” as he called it, on July 7.
In his spare time, John liked to attend auction sales, thresherman shows and visiting with family, friends and neighbours. Every summer he looked forward to attending the yearly country church service with Elfrieda at Saint Peter and Paul by Fenwood.
John was a humble man with a kind and gentle spirit. He was always there to lend a hand, always thinking of others and expecting nothing in return.
John was predeceased by his parents, Anna and Paul; infant sister Mary; sister-in-law and caregiver Elfrieda Potoroka; and brother-in-law Bill Pawlyshyn. He will be remembered and deeply missed by his brother, Mike; niece and caregiver Bonnie Potoroka; his brother, Emil (Edna); sisters Rose Pawlyshyn and Ann (Elvin) Mandziak; as well as nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
TO LEAVE A CONDOLENCE MESSAGE: click on the “Memory Wall” tab above
TO MAKE A DONATION: scroll to the bottom of this page.
John Potoroka, the eldest son of Anna (nee Yuristy) and Paul Potoroka, was born on the family homestead at Goodeve, SK, on August 7, 1925. He passed away at home on the farm on Friday, September 13, 2019, at the age of 94 years.
John was raised on the farm and attended Stryj School two miles south of home. He farmed together with his parents and later his brother, Mike. Together John and his dad built everything on the farmyard.
Farming was John’s greatest love. He was very dedicated and took great pride in all the work he did over the years. He loved welding and blacksmith work with the forge. You could always find him working on projects in the shop. John enjoyed tending to the cattle and working with the teams of horses. He also had a keen interest in barns and loved talking about their construction.
When his brother, Mike, married Elfrieda, John remained on the farm, and they all continued farming together. When his niece, Bonnie, came along, he enjoyed building things for her, teaching her about the farm and telling stories about the early years. John formed a strong bond with Bonnie and Elfrieda as they continued to live on the farm together for the rest of his life.
John remembered all of the Ukrainian holidays and reminded everyone in the house whenever there was a special day. He was fond of “St. John’s Day”, or “his day” as he called it, on July 7.
In his spare time, John liked to attend auction sales, thresherman shows and visiting with family, friends and neighbours. Every summer he looked forward to attending the yearly country church service with Elfrieda at Saint Peter and Paul by Fenwood.
John was a humble man with a kind and gentle spirit. He was always there to lend a hand, always thinking of others and expecting nothing in return.
John was predeceased by his parents, Anna and Paul; infant sister Mary; sister-in-law and caregiver Elfrieda Potoroka; and brother-in-law Bill Pawlyshyn. He will be remembered and deeply missed by his brother, Mike; niece and caregiver Bonnie Potoroka; his brother, Emil (Edna); sisters Rose Pawlyshyn and Ann (Elvin) Mandziak; as well as nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.