Raymond John Woynarski

 Raymond John Woynarski passed away peacefully the morning of Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at home with his loving wife, Lorraine, by his side. Raymond was surrounded by family and friends in his last days as he found eternal peace after his battle with cancer. 

 He was born on February 28, 1951 at Lestock, SK, the second child of Nick and Caroline (Bashutski) Woynarski.

 Ray grew up on the farm south of Wishart, SK near what was the Wynot store. Ray attended school at Westmoor and for a very short time in Wynyard. He completed and received the majority of his education at Wishart School. One of Ray’s favourite memories of school was playing basketball, at which he excelled. Daily and seasonal routines before and after school included milking cows, making and hauling bales, picking stones, seeding, harvesting, and all the usual farm chores. After completing high school, Ray went to Vancouver to further his education by taking a computer keypunch course, but farming was always in his heart. In 1972, Ray began farming with the purchase of three quarters of land located a few miles south of his childhood farm.

 On July 6, 1974, Ray married Lorraine Krywulak from the Ituna (Beckenham) area. Throughout their 46 years of marriage they lived in Punnichy for 2 years, Lestock for 4 years, moved to the farm in 1980, they enjoyed 3 sons (with their eventual wives and 2 loving grandchildren), and bought and rented land. Grain and cattle farming consumed Ray’s life but he also found time to play broomball, hockey and slow-pitch. He coached minor hockey when his sons were involved, made ice at the Lestock arena, was president of the Lestock Magnum hockey club and was on the board of directors for the Wheat Pool. Summers were spent camping, fishing and water skiing as the boys were growing. 1999 saw an Alaskan cruise. In 2012 the downsizing of farming began with the selling of the cattle. Summer camping started up again in 2013. In 2015 winter vacations were started. Over the next 3 winters trips were taken to Cuba, Punta Cana, Jamaica and Manzanillo. Eventually more downsizing was in the picture when cancer was diagnosed in November 2017. A farm auction was conducted on April 23, 2019 and a move to Regina on May 28, 2019.

 Ray was predeceased by his parents Nick (1997) and Caroline (2001); in-laws Peter (1998) and Annie (2012) Krywulak and Lorraine’s niece Brenda Parnetta (1981).

 Remembering and embracing Ray’s life are his wife Lorraine; sons Garret (Amy Sekulich) and two loving grandchildren Carolina and Kieran of Regina, SK; Nathan (Audrey Smycniuk) of Calgary, AB; Tyson (Melanie Duggan) of Calgary, AB; siblings Gloria (Orest) Krywulak of Edson, AB; Brenda (Dwayne) Prokopetz of White City, SK and Rick of Cupar, SK; along with sisters-in-law Natalie (Nick) Heshka of Regina, SK, Elizabeth (Eldon) Hnylycia of Kelowna, BC and brother-in-law Orest (Gloria) Krywulak of Edson, AB; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

 A sincere Thank You to Dr. Hagel and the staff at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre, family doctor Dr. Oluma, Lestock home care nurse Sandra Keep, and the most outstanding staff of the mobile Palliative care team. 

 Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a Private Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. . A livestream link to the funeral service will be available at: https://m.facebook.com/reginaukrainiancatholicnorth/live/

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, c/o Box 102, Wishart, SK S0A 4R0, St. Athanasius Appeal, 55 McMurchy Avenue, Regina, SK S4R 3G3 or Allan Blair Cancer Centre, 4101 Dewdney Avenue, Regina, SK S4T 7T1.