Raymond Aloysius Washkowsky

The death of Raymond Washkowsky, 79 years, of Humboldt, SK, occurred on April 29, 2017 at Humboldt District Hospital. Ray was born in Humboldt, SK on June 21, 1937 to Raymond and Monica Washkosky. He grew up on the farm near Muenster and attended St. James School until grade 8. He left home and spent some time working at a nickel mine in Sudbury, Ontario. He later returned back to Saskatchewan, and married the love of his life, Leona Skaalrud, on April 22, 1961. Ray and Leona made their home in Humboldt until July 1974 when they moved to the family homestead near Muenster, which was a place Ray always loved. Ray continued to farm while working at various jobs and he eventually returned to school where he earned his High School GED followed by his Journeyman Heavy Duty Mechanic, something he was always very proud of. Ray started working at the PCS Potash Mine in Lanigan in 1982 and remained there until his retirement in 2002. It was a job he wished he could have worked at forever – he loved it that much. In the fall of 1993, Ray and Leona moved back in to Humboldt. Following retirement, Ray worked at Hi-Tech, OlySky, and with various local farming operations – he would take any work he could find because he was happiest when he was working and even happier if someone would let him drive a tractor or a combine. He enjoyed playing crib with anyone who was willing to sit and play a game with him and in more recent years, spent many afternoons playing cards at the Horizon Senior Centre. Ray could also often be found outside in his shed tinkering with his tools to pass time. He loved being busy and quite simply put, just loved to work. Ray loved his grandchildren immensely, but the real sunshine in his life the past four years was his great-granddaughter. He beamed with pride every time she was around and was so happy when she came to visit. Ray will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years, Leona Washkowsky of St. Mary’s Villa in Humboldt; three children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild: Russell Washkowsky of Humboldt and his children Alexander, Erin, and Ava of North Battleford; Rhonda (Martin) Been of Saskatoon; and Lori Washkowsky (Brent Lucyk) of Humboldt and their children Ryan Washkowsky (Tammy Curtis) of Lake Lenore and daughter Kadynce, Mitchell and Matthew Washkowsky of Regina, and Emily Lucyk of Humboldt; and his brothers and sisters: twin sister Ramona (Bill) Winters of Regina, Agnes (Dwaine) Skaalrud of Regina, Loretta (Sylvester) Dobmeier of Lanigan, Ione Poss of Humboldt, Joan (Mike) Winters of Regina, Annette (Richard) Schick of Saskatoon, Lucille West of Vancouver BC, Francis (Sharon) Washkowsky of Lanigan, Daniel (Karen) Washkowsky of Saskatoon, Denise (Gerry) Ward of Nanaimo BC, and Elaine (Kevin) Saretsky of Humboldt; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ray was predeceased by his parents, Raymond and Monica Washkosky, and brother-in-law, Larry Poss. The Prayer Service for Ray was held on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. at Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home, Humboldt.  The Funeral Mass was offered on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, Humboldt, celebrated by Fr. Greg Smith-Windsor. Interment followed at St. Augustine R.C. Cemetery – Columbarium. Memorial Donations in Ray’s memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or Humboldt District Hospital Foundation.

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