George Badduke

The peaceful death of George Badduke, 98 years, of Melville and formerly Watson, occurred at the Ituna Pioneer Lodge on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, with his family by his side.  George was born on April 21, 1925 in Buchanan, SK to Fred and Irene (nee Paschnik) Badiuk.  He grew up on the farm and attended Mamornitz School.  He enlisted in the army and served our country in World War II.  George met Helen Wishlow and they were eventually married on November 22, 1956 in the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church in Canora.  They raised a family of two, Kelly and Leanne.  George worked for the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool for 23 years, living in Watson and traveling for work.  He retired in 1989. Not one to sit idle, he began working for the Town of Watson as the caretaker of the Civic Center from 1991 – 1996.  George always enjoyed sports and in his later years had Humboldt Bronco season tickets and continued to attend SJHL games when he moved to Melville.  He was a Toronto Maple Leaf’s and Blue Jays fan and an avid Saskatchewan Roughrider fan; watching the games either on TV or in person when he was able to.  George loved fishing and his favourite lakes were Barrier Lake and Jan Lake.  He enjoyed attending Chuckwagon and Chariot Races, playing cards and Radio Bingo.  Spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren was the highlight of his life.  He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and proud to be a veteran. He always enjoyed going for drives, looking at crops or for wildlife with Ron and Kay and sometimes they ended up in Saskatoon at the Blue Diamond Restaurant to see “the girls”.  Right up until the end if Kelly or Leanne were going to Saskatoon and he was up for a drive they would also have to go see “the girls”. George enjoyed his “Tea Time” almost every afternoon with Leanne. He always chuckled how he would tell the tenants at Heritage House that were sitting in the common area that he was going for a “beer”.  They would grab their tea and head out looking for deer, rabbits, squirrels or almost anything with four legs.  He would also occasionally go to the Casino or play VLT’s with Kelly.  Not many times would he say they won, instead it was “I just don’t have any luck”.  After he moved to Melville, he would always want to take a drive or hop in to go to Yorkton just to go to Grumpy’s for lunch because they had the best soup and egg salad sandwiches which had to be on brown bread.  George will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his two children, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren:  KELLY (Tara) Badduke of Melville and their family Rylan (Teigen) Badduke and children Boston, Brooks, and Rory of Saskatoon and Janine (Mack) Warren of Ogema; and LEANNE (Darcy) Lutz of Melville and their family Nolan (Sarah) Auchstaetter of Okotoks, AB, Amanda (Trayton) Smuk and daughter Ariya of Swift Current, and Cameron Auchstaetter (fiancée Maurisa Slinn) of Saskatoon; siblings:  John Badiuk of Tisdale, Joe Badduke of Petrolia, ON, and Mary Swystun of Saskatoon; sisters-in-law Verna Hallgren and Orlene Wishlow, both of Calgary, AB; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.  George was predeceased by his wife Helen Badduke; parents Fred and Irene Badiuk; siblings:  Johnny Badiuk (in infancy), Mike (Doreen) Badiuk, Peter (Maria) Badiuk, Doris (John) Teslia, Nick (Sophie) Badiuk, and David (Beverly) Badiuk; in-laws:  Walter Swystun, Georgette Badduke, and Kay Badiuk; and by in-laws of the Wishlow family.

A Prayer Service was held on Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home & Crematorium, Humboldt and the Funeral Service was held on Monday, February 5, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Watson Civic Center.  Both services were officiated by Rev. Al Hingley.  Interment followed in the Watson Public Cemetery.  Memorial Donations in George’s memory may be made to the Watson Public Cemetery or the Royal Canadian Legion, Melville Branch.