Paul T Proznick

Paul was born July 18, 1927 to Joseph and Dorathea (nee Lazorko) Proznick on the family farm. He was the sixth of eleven children.  Paul was educated at Round Hills, until grade eight. At that time his brother was called to war and by necessity he stayed at home to work on the farm. In August 1958 he started dating Emily Angielski and on October 24, 1959 they married. They started their life on the family farm and their union was blessed with four children Murray, Marlene, Charles, and Dwayne. Paul and Emily ran a mixed farm, raising chickens, pigs, sheep, and high-quality dairy and beef cattle. They also raised horses on their farm, Paul was very fond of his horses and was even breaking horses when he was eighty years old. Although he had a great love for animals and for farming, it was not his whole life. Paul was very active in his community. He was president of the St. John Bohoslav Krasne Parish for 50 consecutive years. He was also a part of the Sask. Wheat Pool, Wynyard Credit Union board, the Wynyard Co-op board, the Round Hills Snowplow club, and the Round Hills Cooperative Organization. He was also frequently asked to make speeches at events, often last minute. He was asked to do this because of his undeniable charisma, one liner jokes, and his fluency in both English and Ukrainian. Paul also loved music and enjoyed playing violin. Paul and Emily were a very social pair, they loved to visit and would never turn down a game of three spot. They always made time for people and no one left their house without a full belly. Paul’s greatest love was his family, his wife, his children and his grandchildren. Paul will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife Emily, spouse of sixty years; his four children, Murray (Lori-Anne) Proznick, Marlene (Stacey) Hebert, Charles Proznick, and Dwayne (Erika) Proznick; four grandchildren Melinda, Devon, Noelle, and Shelby; his brothers Fred and Elmer; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and many nieces, nephews, great and great-great. Paul was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Dorathea; and siblings Mary, Lena, Carl, Rose, Anne, Elsie, Lawrence, and Nick.

 A eulogy was shared by Milton Kerpan at the funeral;

Paul Proznick, husband, father, Gido, friend and witty commentator was born on July 18, 1927 to Joseph and Dora Proznick, the middle child of eleven sons and daughters. He lived his life on the family farm, just west of here.

Among the many things we know about Paul, the love of his family stands out the most. This love was mutual as illustrated by two granddaughters, Noelle and Shelby, who asked him to write out the phrase “I love you” in Ukrainian. The girls then had the Ukrainian phrase tattooed above their heart. What an act of respect and love for Gido.

Paul married the love of his life, Emily Angielski, on October 24, 1959. They were blessed with four children: Murray, Marlene, Charles and Dwayne. Paul and Emily were totally devoted to each other and one could feel the pride and love they shared. Paul was so proud and supportive of his children as they grew and matured in their lives.

On the farm, he loved his horses and took great pride in his dairy herd. When you spent time on his farm you quickly recognized the joy this way of life brought him.

There was a lot to be learned from Paul as he gleefully told you to be careful what you say because the corn has ears, the potatoes have eyes, the horses carry tails and above all else, the pigs can squeal on you.

Paul was passionate about his faith and his parish. For over fifty years he served as president of the church board where he would report to parishioners and act as the commentator of parish affairs in both official languages of the Krasne district.

In preparation for such an involved life, Paul sharpened his skills playing 3 Spot, caroling first in Ukrainian and later adding English. Imagine traveling from farm to farm by horse and sleigh in -40 degree weather to bring the Christmas Spirit to families of the district. It’s a good thing the carolers had and were served some homemade stomach warmer to bolster their spirits and sharpen their voices!

Perhaps, Paul’s love of music began with playing the violin which he had unfortunately to give up after a farm accident left him unable to close his fingers properly around the neck of the violin so he could no longer play Rubber Dolly and You are My Sunshine for Emily.

But that was okay as it allowed him time to sharpen his wit.

Census Canada came to Paul and Emily’s to complete a detailed form. They asked Paul what he did for a living. I guess it wasn’t self-evident. He said I’m a farmer. Does you wife work? Yes, she’s a farm-assist. Who does she work for? Why for me, I told you she’s a farm-assist.

Paul’s quick wit offers us the perfect way to deal with computer fraudsters who pester us with phone calls. When he was phoned about problems he was having with his computer (which he did not own) the fraudster asked for his email address.

 Paul responded by saying he did not have email, he had something better – female.  My female cooks for me, cleans, grows a garden and raises our children. Paul then asked can your computer do that? End of phone call.

Paul claimed legendary status in the family when, thanks to son-in-law Stacey, he made the Reader’s Digest in 2018. A group of hunters from the United States came to his farm to hunt birds. During their visit one of the hunters noticed a flat bed of manure nearby. The hunter asked Paul,” Do y’all put manure on your strawberries?” Paul smiled and responded, “I don’t know how you do things back where you come from but up here we put sugar and cream on our strawberries.”

The stories about Paul’s wit could go on for a much longer time. Each of us would have a different story to tell. But the measure of a man is in his love of his family, his pride in his way of life and the service he provided to make the world a better place than he found. His work for Krasne parish speaks for itself.

By these measures, Paul was at the top of his game.

When it was time to go, as we all must, it was a quiet fall morning, with his son, Murray, driving the truck to Wynyard, and Paul in his loving wife’s arms, Paul left to meet his maker. “Good and faithful servant you have lived a complete life – straight forward, practical and with a wry smile – come home to me” said the Lord. Rest in peace Paul we will see you again in the arms of the Lord.

At the lunch Murray spoke on behalf of the family;

Thank you to everyone for being here today to pay tribute to my father. I know that many of you have travelled from out of town to be here today and it means a lot to the family and I.

Seeing so many friends and relatives here is a reflection of how my father lived his life and what kind of man he was.

My father was loved by everyone and was an incredible Gido, Father, husband and friend. He seemed to instantly become friends with everyone he met. His positive attitude for life, his one liners, puns and outgoing personality has been passed down to his children and grandchildren and that is a legacy they will proudly carry.

On behalf of Mom, my sister and brothers and our families we want to thank you for kind words, cards, flowers, food, gifts and being here today. We can’t express enough how much we truly appreciate each and every one of you.

A special thank you to Father Stephaniuk, the Pallbearers (Gary Hilderman, Lorne Hoberg, Mel Malinowski, Paul Proznick (Dad’s namesake), Jason Gargol, Nyle Angielski), Michael Stefankiw and family, Orest Shular and Krasne Parish, Carl Shular, Neil Syrota, Dave Lalach, Cantor Bill Lalach and choir, Milton Kerpan for the Eulogy, Ronnie and Cynthia and family, many aunts and uncles and all the people who lent a hand and made Dads passing a little easier.

Thank you again for coming and safe travels home.

A Funeral Mass was held on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at St. John Bohoslav Krasne Church at 11 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Jeffery Stephaniuk. Interment took place at St. John Bohoslav Krasne Cemetery. Memorial Dontations in Paul’s memory may be made to St. John Bohoslav Krasne Church.