Eugene Michael Kitzul

It is with great sadness that the family announces the sudden passing of Eugene Michael Kitzul 77 years, of Wynyard, SK on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at the Wynyard Hospital.  Gene was born on November 23, 1943 to George and Mary (nee Lukey) on the family farm in the West Bend District, SK.  He was the youngest of five children. Gene went to elementary school at the Athlone School and then on to the Foam Lake Composite High School. After high school, Gene had a variety of construction jobs in BC for the winters and would always come home for the summers to work on the family farm.  Gene met the love of his life Angeline Dvernichuk at a community dance in West Bend and asked to drive her home. Gene’s quiet, gentle, kind personality were the assets Angie loved and she was swept off her feet. On October 14, 1967 Gene and Angie were wed at the Foam Lake St Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church.  For the next two years, they farmed and lived on Gene’s family farm. They were blessed with their first child, Sheldon. They then moved to Vancouver Island so Gene could work full time on construction. The construction industry took them to Merritt, BC where two more children, Chantelle and Cory were born to complete their family.

When the kids were a bit older, Angie’s dad had encouraged Gene to take a trade and he became a Certified Electrician. As an electrician, Gene worked in residential construction and at the local sawmills in Merritt.  Gene was very active in the community and with his children’s activities.  Gene and Angie were both part of the Colletteville Community Association, Gene helped to found the Snowmobile Association, was part of the leadership for Scouting in Merritt, and they were both always busy with fundraisers and helping on any committee that needed extra hands. 

After 12 years in Merritt, Gene looked for business opportunities and they decided to move back to Saskatchewan. They moved to Kelliher and Gene’s Electric was born. It didn’t take Gene long to establish a superior reputation as a high-quality, trusting electrician, building an excellent reputation as the sought-after contractor for many years, long after retirement. They later moved the business to Wynyard and started an exceptional equipment rental store – Wynyard Rental Centre. During their life in Wynyard, they established an oasis in their yard that backed up to the creek. Gene and Angie spent hours happily working together beautifying a manicured, peaceful, and serene area to relax and entertain family and friends.  This area even included a little dwelling for outdoor sleep overs. 

One of Gene’s joys was travelling regularly to be with their children and grandchildren in Victoria, BC. Over the years, other travels Gene and Angie enjoyed together included camping, travels around BC, trips to Las Vegas, Mexico, Cayman Island, and using their winter getaway in the Rockies.

Gene was always a part of Angie’s work in preserving the garden harvest – especially in harvesting their grapes.  He was a problem solver always up to the challenge of how to fix or make something.  His engineering mind came in handy many times. 

Family was always number one and his role of a father was primary in the support of his children and their choices and always being ready and willing to help in any way needed.  Gene loved visiting family and friends, you were assured if you stopped by you’d be treated as royalty with food and beverage and guaranteed you would have a lot of laughs. Having said all that we all know that his first love was most definitely his wife, Angie. They were “best friends” and worked closely together their whole 53 years. They were a match - made in heaven!

The loss of their son Cory in 1992 was tragic and very hard to accept, but by leaning on each other Gene and Angie walked that journey together to find peace.  Gene’s kind, caring, gentle loving personality will be missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 53 years Angie Kitzul of Wynyard; two children and four grandchildren: Sheldon Kitzul of Victoria, BC and children Benjamin and Amelia of Ladysmith, BC; and Chantelle (Geoff) Easton and daughters Samantha and Cassandra all of Victoria, BC; one brother Orest (Carol) Kitzul of Calgary; sister-in-law Mary Kitzul of Ituna and numerous nieces and nephews.  Gene was predeceased by his son Cory; parents George and Mary; brothers Joe, Alvin and sister Julia.  

A Private Family Service was held on December 18, 2020. Interment took place at Foam Lake Cemetery on August 29, 2021. Memorial donations may be directed to the charity of your choice.