Obituary of William Stoyko

January 14, 1933 – Szenew Tarnopol, Poland

March 31, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Bill Stoyko, age 91, at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary, AB, with his family by his side, on Sunday, March 31, 2024, after a massive stroke.

Bill will be dearly missed and forever loved by his wife of 69 years, Helen, his two children, Barbara (Glen) McMurray, and Brian Stoyko; his grandson Derek (Danika), step-granddaughter Kara (Chris), and his six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Ignac and Frances; brother Fred, sister-in-law Mary, sister Stella,  brother-in-law John, and his grandson Ryan.

Bill was born in 1933 in Szenew Tarnopol, Poland. He moved to Canada with his family in 1936, where they settled in the Eastdale area, near Beausejour, MB. Growing up on the farm had its rewards and challenges, one of which was having to walk three miles to school each way and doing his share of daily chores before and after school. He met Helen at a Canada Day celebration in 1952, and they were married in October of 1954, where they settled in Winnipeg. He spent most of his career working at Doubletex as a production foreman and manager, which he retired from in 1998. In 1974, they built their house on an acreage in Birds Hill. There were many hours spent in the garden growing vegetables, strawberries, and raspberries in their spare time. His secret passion for many years were his giant pumpkins and sunflowers. After a day in the garden, you would always find him in his chair under the shade of his favorite maple tree, eating whatever produce was picked that day, from strawberries, peas in a pod, carrots, or cherry tomatoes. He would look forward to fall, when he could sit down and eat fresh seeds from a sunflower head.

Bill had many interests from music, dancing, golfing, gardening, wild mushroom picking, skeet shooting, camping, and fishing. He enjoyed eating the fresh pickerel caught that day. Weekends were always busy with company, playing card games, or having jam sessions. Bill would be playing the violin, accordion, or harmonica, Helen on the guitar or mandolin, his brother Fred or out-law Ed on the spoons, and everyone singing their favourite old-time songs. There were also many jam sessions at St. Malo or Falcon Lake, where all the family and cousins would get together for camping in the summer. Dancing in the living room with Helen was a very common sight to see on weekends when the records came out. He also loved a fast polka and was always a favourite to dance with at family weddings.

Over the years, there were many trips to Minneapolis and Calgary, visiting family, with Bill always trying to beat his last travel time, and there were a few new records times set! In 2015, they sold the acreage and moved to Calgary to be closer to their children and enjoy condo living.

We would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Unit 112 at Foothills Hospital for their compassionate and attentive care during his brief stay.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Bill’s family here.

In living memory of Bill Stoyko, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.