It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of my beloved dad, Nick Grypiuk, on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at the age of 97 at the Victoria Union Hospital.  Although this is a deeply sad occasion, it is also a joyous occasion because of his confessed belief and faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ, and it is very comforting to know that now he is at peace and he is with Jesus.

Dad was born and raised in Gronlid, Saskatchewan.  He was the fourth child of George and Pazina Grypiuk.  He attended Murphy Creek School (near Ratner, SK) and finished his Grade 5.  His mom passed away when he was 10 years old and his dad passed away when he was 12 years old – so he went to live with his brother Fred and his sister-in-law Mary and their son, Russell.  His sisters went to live with other relatives at this time.  He earned his living scrubbing brush, clearing land and seeding for different people, then he went to Flin Flon cutting logs in the bush and at harvest time came back to Gronlid and was busy binding and stooking bales of hay. 

On October 29, 1944, Nick married Mary Chokan and had two children Emil and Emily.  He farmed in Gronlid, then later farmed in Henribourg before coming to Prince Albert.  He held various jobs: he worked at fencing posts, did construction work, and worked at a Nursing Plant planting trees and strawberries.  On April 25, 1972, he married Aimee Viens (Marcotte) then worked as a janitor at John Diefenbaker School and Turgeon School then he retired.  He was the first tenant at NorthCote Manor where he lived until he was 90.  

Nick enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, reading, bowling, playing pool, listening to dance music and he LOVED dancing.  He thoroughly enjoyed going to the Minus One and Heritage dances.  He self-taught himself through books to do wood working projects and every project he made was made to perfection.   In his later years, after an illness, he became a strong advocate for “healthy eating and preventative supplements” and was very proactive in sharing what he read.  

He was very honest, sincere and extremely compassionate and was a very dependable hard worker.  Whenever someone asked him for his help he was very quick to drop what he was doing to lend his hand – he was the type of man who would give the shirt off his back to help someone.  He would overlook his own needs to help someone else.    He was a blessing and precious gift to all who crossed his path.  He endured many hardships and trials in his life and he was scarred and broken from these and still maintained his loving character.  He truly loved God and did not like injustices.  While living with me he enjoyed reading until he wasn’t able to anymore and he enjoyed listening to the Bible on CD, many spiritual Christian songs on CD and the Christian Radio Station as well as his dance music and his Ukrainian cassettes.

Dad will be dearly missed.  He is survived by his daughter Emily (Derek) Mathers.

Dad was predeceased by his parents George and Pazina (Stefiuk) Grypiuk, his brother & sister-in-law,Fred (Mary) Grypiuk, his sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary Grypiuk, Annie (Pete) Ilnisky,  Nellie (Walter) Disiewich, his first wife Mary (Chokan) Grypiuk, and his second wife, Aimee Viens-Grypiuk (Marcotte) and his son Emil Grypiuk. 

Nick’s funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 9, 2015, at River Park Memorial Chapel, 301 River Street West, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Pastor Cliff Scott officiating.  In lieu of flowers, if you wish, a donation to the Prince Albert Community Clinic Van Service, 110 8th Street East, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, S6V 0V7, or to The Upper Room Ministries, 21 13th Street East, Prince Albert, S6V 1C7, would be appreciated.  Internment will take place in Garden of Sermon on the Mount, Prince Albert Memorial Gardens.  Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of RIVER PARK MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 306-764-2727, Colette Kadziolka, funeral director.

• Date : 2015-12-05
• Location : Prince Albert, SK