Obituary of Colin Hrychiw

Colin Hrychiw passed away peacefully on February 1, 2020 at the age of 86 years, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous 4 year battle with cancer, at the Prairie Lake Hospice, in Grande Prairie, AB. Colin was born on December 3, 1933 on the family homestead to John and Stella Hrychiw of the Lake Saskatoon District, living the farming life, the youngest of 3 children. He attended Saskatoon Lake Consolidated School (1940 - 1950), followed by St. Joseph’s High School, (1950-51). In 1952 he left home to work at the Giant Yellowknife Gold Mine in the Northwest Territories. He worked there for several months, and then returned to the Grande Prairie area, where he hired out driving trucks, hauling logs in the winter and gravel in the summer. He eventually bought and operated his own truck until September 1965, when he became an apprentice at North Canadian Forest Industries, and eventually qualifying as a Heavy Duty Mechanic on November 5, 1969. During this time, Colin met and married Paulette Pivert from Dimsdale area. They married August 13, 1963 and over the next 8 years would have 4 daughters, including a set of twins. In 1971 Colin left Canfor and went to work for Peace Farm Power as a heavy duty mechanic eventually specializing in injection pumps, where he remained until his retirement in December, 1998. Over the years, Colin was involved with the Grande Prairie Curling Club, served as a volunteer fireman with the Grande Prairie Fire Department from 1973 - 1983, and was a member of the Grande Prairie Elks Lodge, receiving his 50 year service pin in 2015. Colin enjoyed spending time in his backyard shop, making ornaments and windmills for his garden. The time spent on their acreage, gave him much joy, where he built a small cabin and shop. He was the ultimate handyman, building anything out of pieces and parts that he collected over the years. He bought an old school bus and converted into a motorhome for his family. He was a ham radio enthusiast who liked sitting in his radio room that he had built in stairwell of the house. Colin enjoyed curling and the occasional game of golf. He enjoyed playing accordion and the fiddle at family gatherings when he was younger. His last years he enjoyed working in his garden, tending his bird feeders and flower beds, while keeping a watchful eye on the neighbourhood. Colin will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years; Paulette (Pivert), daughters; Colleen (Kevin) Palmer, Karen (Curtis) Busenius , Glenda (Kelsey) Dufresne, and Lynette Drouin. Grandchildren; Kristen (Mike) Dahlgren, Mason Dufresne, Tyler Palmer, William and Benjamin Drouin. Colin is survived by his brother; Henry (Melitta) Hrychiw of Kamloops, BC and sister Stella Kostiuk of Edmonton. Colin was predeceased by his parents John and Stella Hrychiw, and brother-in-law Harry Kostiuk. It was Colin’s wish that there be no funeral service, which his family has chosen to honour. In spring, his family will inter his ashes with his parents in Grande Prairie Municipal Cemetery. In memory of Colin, donations may be made to the Grande Prairie Hospice Palliative Care Society, #204, 10134 97 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 7X6 Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780-830-7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com