December 4, 1934 – January 16, 2019
On January 16th, 2019 Ben Maruschak fell asleep in the Lord. Ben – the son of Mike and Olga – grew up on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River, at Fish Creek. A precious and sweet heart of gold, a faith in God that illuminated the darkest days, a gentleness and capacity for unconditional love that made you feel safe no matter what, a never-ending curiosity and passion for learning, and an ability to see something in his mind and bring it to life with his hands that toiled so long and hard – these were a few of his blessings of 84 years. But oh, his gift of storytelling. There was the one about him going to Rosthern with his Dad to buy a light bulb. You see Ben, a young boy, had figured out how to bring electrical lighting to his family home at a time when most lived with kerosene lamps. Or the one about him building a TV – something most had never seen. He even made a scooter using a washing machine motor and had his own radio station. Can you imagine? Then there were his adventures in that blue Pontiac. He and his best friends, all dressed-up in bright white pants … out looking for adventure and sometimes a bit of trouble. The one about the tree that celebrated two Christmases is one of my favorites. Bright and early every December 26th, Ben with a glimmer in his eye, his heart pounding with excitement and his best friend Lassie harnessed to his toboggan, would run as fast as their legs could carry them to the neighbour’s home – the Kowalczyks who had already celebrated Christmas. These two families shared many things including their Christmas tree, this was the way of early pioneer families. And, there it was … nestled in the fresh snow waiting to stand tall and proud in Ben’s family home. Metal icicles, silver tinsel and humble hand-made decorations would dress this tree as the family waited for the first star, the birth of the Christ child, carollers and the chance to open that – oh so – awaited package with gifts from Ben’s aunts in Eastern Canada.
When remembering Ben, I will never forget this story – his favorite one – how he met the love of his life, Natalie. Loretta their match-maker, the dances at Four-Forty near Cudworth, seeing Natalie for the first time and knowing she would be the one he would marry, and that like her mother she was beautiful and would become even more beautiful as they grew old together – these are the sweet and cherished memories he never tired of sharing. When he recalled them this September as he and Natalie celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary his voice filled with love. His beautiful blue eyes, twinkling as if he was that young man in love … a love so great, one that would not only last a life-time and more but grow stronger with the passage of time. Together they shared a love and pride in their Ukrainian ancestry, community building, the Alvena Insurance Agency which just celebrated 35 years of service, higher education, music, singing, farming, embroidery, ceramics, flowers, birds and beauty. And with Natalie, Ben gained Taras, a brother-in-law. Together they shared many farming adventures, and like brothers, Ben supported Taras and stood with him to his very last breath.
Ben was a man of the land dedicating his entire life to farming. He was a leader in his church and community – a board member of the Wakaw School Division, President of the Alvena Co-op and active in politics. Ben, sometimes with his father, built commemorative monuments at Alvena Lake, in Wakaw to honor John Diefenbaker and in other neighbouring communities, most of which will stand tall for generations. And while the list of his achievements is long, he was most proud of his three daughters. He always, always said Lesia, Nadia and Patricia were his greatest gift in life. His love for them and pride in their achievements warmed his heart to the end. The legacy he left for his family knows no end and includes tsymbaly fashioned out of wood, tiffany stain-glass lamps, and many things for which there are no words. Never afraid to say: “I love you”, cry tears of joy and sadness as his daughters and later their families returned home after visits on the farm. He loved to share his wisdom and a lifetime of insights with his grandchildren and sons-in-law, who were like his sons.
When others spoke of Ben he was described as the kind of person you would put on an open wound. His loving and healing touch of heart, spirit, and hand would heal all. Ben believed we were all visitors here and that we had to earn our spot in heaven with special RRSPs for when we got off the train of life. Oh, I will miss you dearest Ben – son, brother, husband, friend, soulmate, father, grandfather, north star, but as winter fades to Spring, as the raspberries ripen, as the wheat waits to be harvested and as day is followed by night, I will remember you – I will love you always. I am forever grateful for your presence in my life, my heart, in all that I am. May you rest in paradise and eternal peace be yours and may we live long to remember you always. Memory Eternal. VICHNAYA PAMYAT!
Ben was born on December 4th, 1934 in Rosthern, Saskatchewan. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Natalie; children: Lesia Ann (Konstantin), Nadia (Randy), Patricia (John); grandchildren: Nadia, Arkady, Nicholas, Tanya, Michael, Sofia, Stasya, Stefanya and Stefan and survived by his sisters Sylvia (Boyd) and Sonia (Lorn). Ben joins in eternal peace his father Mike and mother Olga, father-in-law Wasyl and mother-in-law Anna, brother Orest, brother-in-law Taras and sister-in-law Irene.
Prayers for Ben were held on Monday, January 21, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. Both services were held at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Alvena, SK, officiated by Rev. Fr. Mykola Romanetz. The responses were sung by George Hupka. Epistle Readers were Nadia Huytan-Maruschak, Tanya Clay, Sofia, Stasya and Stefanya Maruschak-Love. The Cross Bearer was Stefan Maruschak-Love. Honourary Pallbearers were Bernie Kotelko, Vasyl Vasylyk, Michelle Misouri, Lesley Blaine, Linda Heck and Evelyn Thomas. The Pallbearers were Konstantin Huytan, Randy Clay, John Love, Arkady Huytan-Maruschak, Nicholas Clay, Michael Clay, Lorn Misouri and Ken Skakun. Interment followed in0 St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Alvena, SK.
Donations in Ben’s memory will go towards blood cancer research and can be made out to THE OTTAWA HOSPITAL FOUNDATION and mailed to 25 Confederation Private, Ottawa, ON. K1V 9W6 C/O Lesia Maruschak.
To share memories and condolences, visit wwwparkfuneral.ca “Obituaries-Guestbook”. Arrangements entrusted to James Werezak, Park Funeral Home, 306.244.2103.
