William Thomas Procyk
(May 17, 1932 – November 2, 2011)

It is with great sadness that the family of William Thomas Procyk announces his sudden passing on November 2, 2011.

Bill was born at home in Royal Park, AB, on May 17, 1932, the third child of recent Ukrainian immigrants Alexander and Melania Procyk. Bill was raised in modest circumstances on the family farm in Mundare, AB, where he attended school. Bill grew up during hard financial times in the 1930s and the 1940s, and he endured many hardships. He was very appreciative of the Basilian Fathers within the community, for it was the Fathers who took young Bill under their wing.

Following Bill’s graduation from high school in 1950, he moved to Edmonton to be closer to his brother John, and he worked at the Tasty Cake Bakery as a baker, and then as a pin-setter at a local bowling alley. After living and working in the city, Bill was ecstatic to be accepted into the RCMP Training Academy in Regina, SK. Bill had always expressed interest in joining the Force, and he was honoured to be chosen as a candidate. After much hard work during training at Depot, Bill graduated and destiny led him to his first post in Indian Head, SK. It was here that Bill met the love of his life, Elinor Dahlgren, and the two were soon inseparable.

However, as the Force had a rule at the time that a Member must serve 5 years in the Force before marrying, Bill and Elinor endured a long engagement before marrying on April 25, 1957. Soon after their marriage, Bill and Elinor were stationed in Regina, SK, where they welcomed the birth of their first daughter, Lois Dawn, in May 1958. Shortly after this they were transferred again to Bengough, SK, and they welcomed the birth of their second daughter, Terry, in May 1960. The next transfer took the growing family to Cut Knife, SK, where their third daughter Dianne was born in August 1963. In 1969, Bill was transferred to Carlisle, SK, and in 1970 they welcomed their forth child, Robert William Procyk.

In 1971, Bill and Elinor were transferred to Swift Current, SK, where Bill was promoted to Staff Sargent. After running the Swift Current Detachment for a year, Dad was promoted to the rank of Inspector, and the family moved to Chilliwack, BC in 1972. After nine years in the Lower Mainland, Dad took one final transfer in late 1981, to Prince Albert, SK, where he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent and was placed charge of the Prince Albert Detachment, and was the Officer in charge of all of the Detachments north of Prince Albert all the way up to the border of the North West Territories.

Bill loved this new role, and he enjoyed his time working both in the city and in the various northern Detachments. He loved the northerners, and felt a kinship with his fellow officers. It was with a very heavy heart that Bill decided to retire in late 1990. He left the Force after 37 amazing, productive years, and indeed, it was the Force that shaped Bill into the fine man that he was.

After realizing that he couldn’t become a permanent retiree, Bill began a multitude of jobs. After retirement, Bill accepted a position as a member on the Board of the Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons, which he cherished immensely. He also took a job his dear friend Harold Guy offered him, delivering groceries for Harold’s IGA. He worked at Harold’s for many years, and thought of the staff there as family. Dad also worked other jobs simultaneously, such as a cleaner for Rawlco Radio, where he loved his radio family, and serving as a prosecutor for traffic tickets and offences for the City of Prince Albert. Dad also spent time working for a company scanning barcodes for a clothing retailer, working as a “runner” for a local law firm, and serving on many local committees and charities.

After Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2005, he still kept busy with his many jobs as long as he could. Even after losing his wife Elinor in 2008, and with his declining health, Dad still loved to visit and keep busy and help the community. Thanks to the RCMP Veterans, he was able to enjoy weekly gatherings with them until the end. Everyone who met Dad loved him – he was one of those magnetic personalities, full of grace, humility, and humor.

Throughout his life and his career, Dad encountered many things. As an RCMP member, he took great pride in events that he took part in, such as the changing of the Canadian flag, the guarding of King Hussein of Jordan, the guarding of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, and the burial of Poundmaker. The RCMP was an integral part of his life, and he took immense pride in being a member of the Force.

However, Dad was just as proud of his family. He loved his wife, his children, and his grandchildren with a ferocious zeal. His family meant everything to him, and he was definitely a hand’s on husband, father, and grandfather.

Left to carry on his legacy are his children, Dawn (Alan) Mcvey, and their children Shane (Kiersten Specht) and Haley, Terry Teichgrab (Willie Unger) and her children Jordan and Brandon Teichgrab, Dianne Procyk (Kevin Wilson) and their children Kelly Tenaschuk, Mark, Jesse, and Karlee Wilson, and Rob Procyk (Tracy Tolley) and their children Kelly, Kristen, Brianne, and Owen. He is also survived by his sister, Jean Wallace, of Surrey, BC, his other sister Lesia (Dave) Richardson of Victoria, BC, and his sisters-in-law Josie Procyk of Calgary and Lorraine Procyk of Edmonton, as well, Dad is survived by his honorary brothers, the RCMP Veterans of Prince Albert, and his good friend Harold Guy. He was pre-deceased by the love of his life, his wife of 51 years, Elinor Procyk, his parents, Alex and Melania (nee Corwec) Procyk, his in-laws Oscar and Emily Dahlgren, his brothers John and Mike Procyk, his sisters-in-law Alma Williamson and Lois Urie, his brothers-in-law Roy Williamson and Andy Wallace and his son-in-law Don Teichgrab.

Dad’s life was the epitomy of the life well-lived. Bill was always honorable, truthful, respectful, and moral. Dad taught us that honor and class went hand in hand, and he taught us that being humble was a virtue. We will miss your smile, your sense of humor, and your hugs. You will never be forgotten, Dad. And each time we look at our own children, we will see your legacy of love and sacrifice shine through. We love and miss you forever.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 11:00 at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 260 – 25th Street East, Prince Albert, SK with Mrs. Margaret Ferchuk officiating. Interment to take place at a later date in Regina. In lieu of other tributes, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer Association of Saskatchewan, 301 – 2550 – 12th Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 3X1.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray’s Funeral Chapel, Drew Gray, Funeral Director.

• Date : 2011-11-02 06:00:00