Obituary of HERCHAK – Sam

December 9, 1920 – July 13, 2010 Sam Herchak, loving husband of wife, Margaret, and loving father of children, Louise (Jeff), Dr. Rodney, Gayle (Nick) and Glenn (Maureen) passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at the Chinook Care Centre surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his daughter, Arlene, and his parents, Agnes and Wasyl Herchak. He is also survived by his grandchildren Jennifer, Paul, Steven, Bradley, Christie, Alicia and Bridget. Sam was born in Marco, Manitoba, the eldest of a family of eleven brothers and sisters. By the age of 14, Sam was working actively on the family farm, on area farms and, later, as a contractor cutting firewood in Manitoba and in Ontario. He was called to serve in the Royal Canadian Artillery, Eastern Command as a Gunner from 1943 to 1945. After the war, he returned home to Manitoba to continue farming, where he and several brothers built their own homes and farmed successfully for a number of years. In 1951, Sam wed Margaret Tymkiw in Solsgirth, Manitoba. The family moved to Calgary in 1955. Until 1964, he held several jobs as a carpenter and tradesman, driving mail trucks for Canada Post in Alberta and British Columbia and working at the RCAF base at Lincoln Park. He began his long and successful career as a heavy duty mechanic, working across Western Canada with many large companies. Sam was devoted to his family, going on many fishing and camping trips, barbecuing for large family gatherings, and building works of art made of wood. He was a strong, kind, and quiet man. Family and friends are invited to prayers at MCINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel, (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, (729 – 6 Street N.E.), on Friday, July 16, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Graveside Service will be at Mountain View Memorial Gardens. Please forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The Herchak family expresses its sincere thanks to the nurses and staff of the Chinook Care Centre for their care and warm support of Sam and family. If friends and family so desire, memorial contributions may be made directly to Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church. In living memory of Sam Herchak, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.