Samuel Gordon Boychuk (Самуїл Ґордон Бойчук)
June 7, 1950 – December 20, 2024
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Sam Boychuk, whose life was filled with love, laughter, and generosity. He left us peacefully on December 20, 2024 surrounded by loved ones.
Sam was born on June 7, 1950 in Kindersley, Saskatchewan to Nick and Katie (nee Humeny) Boychuk. Sam completed their family of six. The family resided on a farm northeast of Eatonia until 1966. He had fond memories of life on the farm helping his mom in their large garden and his dad in the shop. He regaled us with stories of riding pigs, climbing out his second story bedroom window to lay on the roof and watch the stars, and driving the back roads with siblings and cousins to see how much air they could get on the hills as they bounced in the back of the truck. The family then moved to Kindersley when he was 16 years old.
After completing high school, Sam moved to Edmonton and studied Architecture at NAIT. He returned to Kindersley after a few years to help his dad out with the business as things were growing exponentially at that time. After his dad retired in the 1980’s, Sam and his brother Ron carried on the family business of manufacturing, welding, steel buildings, and RV trailer sales and repairs. In the early 2000’s, Sam and Julie had the opportunity to move the RV trailer sales and repairs from the industrial area of Kindersley over along Highway 7 for increased frontage.
Dad loved being at the shop – it was a significant part of his identity. As kids we enjoyed visiting and working at the shop and the grandchildren enjoyed going for forklift rides with Grandpa! He was so dedicated to the surrounding community that he couldn’t bear to close his shop for worry that those services would no longer be available. He was passionate about supporting small businesses and the community as a whole. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and the United Church Board for numerous years.
He met Julie Hill in 1977 and they were married on July 8, 1978 in Kindersley. In 1981, Sam used his architectural training to design their dream home and welcomed three daughters into their lives there – Stacey (1981), Lindsay (1984) and Samantha – his namesake (1987). As a dad of daughters, he was subjected to countless hairdo’s (which he loved). Together with his father, they built a large, wooden dollhouse that was loved by the girls for many years.
Sam’s grandparents moved to Canada from Ukraine in 1903. They settled in Eatonia alongside the Humeny family. This close-knit group of interrelated families instilled in him, from a very young age, both the importance of family and of his Ukrainian heritage. Over the past few years Sam was learning the Ukrainian language through the Duolingo app – a hobby he shared with his daughter Samantha. He went for over two and a half years without missing his daily lessons and was extremely proud of this feat!
He was adored by his big sister, Irene, with whom he shared a very close relationship. As a young bachelor, he frequently visited his brother Dennis and his family as they moved across Canada with the Canadian Air Force. Once dad had children and grandchildren of his own, he made a point of being there for as many school and extra curricular activities as possible, not to mention the numerous dance recitals!
Whether living on the farm or in town, Sam had a fun-loving and mischievous personality. The mischievousness of his youth carried into adulthood as he enjoyed telling jokes, ‘cheating’ at cards, playing small pranks, and cracking jokes with family and friends. Many of his extended family members had ‘their leg fall asleep’ only to be subjected to having some water put down their pant leg! Dad always brought smiles to everyone involved.
Most of all, he was a man with a kind and friendly manner – he was always there to welcome you with a warm smile, and quick to give you a touch to your arm, a handshake, or a hug. He could have, an enjoyed having, a conversation with anyone.
Sam was diagnosed with lung cancer in June 2012. Thanks to a combined chemotherapy, naturopathic and immunotherapy approach, a dedicated wife to help with his diet and medicine, and a strong fighting spirit, he defied the odds in the most remarkable of ways outliving his prognosis by a decade. During that additional time, he was able to welcome five more grandchildren, walk a daughter down the aisle, and celebrate both his 74th birthday and 46th wedding anniversary!
Sam was predeceased by his parents, Nick and Katie, brothers Dennis and Ron, and grandson Ezra. He leaves behind Julie, his wife of 46 years; daughters Stacey (Jason) Cooper, Lindsay (Carmen) Bailey, and Samantha (Dean) Roberts; grandchildren Olivia, Hudson, Mackenzie, Brooklyn, Madeline, Callie, Blake, Maryn and Sienna.
As we say farewell to Dad, we do so with grateful hearts for the time we shared with him. We celebrate a life lived with purpose, faith and joy, and take comfort in knowing that his spirit will continue to guide and inspire us. Dad’s story does not end here; it lives on in the memories we treasure and the love he gave so freely.
A memorial service will be held Friday, January 17 at 2:00 pm at St. Paul’s United Church in Kindersley. If desired, and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Paul’s United Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 238, Kindersley.