Larry James Lubyk

October 31, 1942 ~ January 31, 2021 

Laurence (Larry) James Lubyk was born on October 31st, 1942 at the Holy Family Hospital in Prince Albert and passed away on Sunday, January 31st, 2021, at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon at the age of 78 with his sons by his side.  He was the eldest of four children born to John and Mary Lubyk. Larry grew up on the family farm near Weirdale, Saskatchewan. He was a country boy at heart, working on the farm with his parents and siblings as he grew up. He attended school in Weirdale and later completed his high school education in Meath Park. Larry continued his studies at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon where he received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree in 1965. He began work immediately with the Government of Saskatchewan as an agronomist and land assessor for many years.  Larry married Darlene Tkachuk in 1968 in Prince Albert. In 1969 their first son, Jeffrey, was born. Two years later, Larry and Darlene moved to North Battleford where they resided for a couple of years before returning to Prince Albert where their second son, Jason, was born in 1973.  Outside of work, Larry was an avid gardener and put his horticultural skills to good use. The house and yard were blessed with a variety of flowers, plants, and trees which he selected and nurtured. The garden was always plentiful with vegetables and many varieties of berries. Larry’s family would gather in the backyard in the fall for an “urban harvest” and to give thanks for the yearly bounty. Larry’s methodical attention to detail was something to behold in virtually everything he did. His intellect combined with a willingness to build anything, fix anything, and grow anything was a marvel.  Larry loved being in the outdoors. Every summer involved a camping trip somewhere across the prairie provinces or the western United States with his young family. As their children got older, Larry and Darlene left Prince Albert in 1995, moving first to Kindersley and then Saskatoon.  They eventually settled in Regina where Darlene worked for The Hudson’s Bay Company and Larry finished his professional career with the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency in 2007. Sadly, Darlene passed away in 2004 after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Larry lost the love of his life and his best friend with her passing.  He was also left to mourn the passing of his father, father-in-law, and mother-in-law over the next few years which affected him deeply.  Once retired, Larry moved back to Prince Albert to be closer to his family and to make new friends. Larry lived in Prince Albert until 2020 and then moved to Saskatoon this past summer.

Larry enjoyed sports and had many favorite teams, especially the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Montreal Canadiens and any football or hockey team from the rust belt region of the United States. Larry would proudly tell his children that they were related to the famed Toronto Maple Leaf goaltender, Johnny Bower, who was his father’s first cousin.

Most of all, Larry cared deeply for the members of his family. In that, he tried to be the best son he could to his parents and especially to his now 106-year-old mother, Mary.  Larry and Darlene and the children would travel to the family farm in Weirdale almost every Sunday. While the children walked around the yard, spying the animals, and checking the outbuildings, Larry and Darlene and his parents would be busy solving problems around the kitchen table.  When Larry attended University, he lived with his mother’s sister and her husband. For years after, he made a point of making regular trips to Saskatoon that always ended with a visit to uncle Earl and auntie Billie’s house. To his siblings, Larry showed deference, respect, and appreciation. Larry always found time for his brothers and sister.  When Larry was around them, he was at his best. He enjoyed many celebrations throughout the years including sharing his birthday with Halloween.  He happily handed out candy to the neighbourhood kids and enjoyed watching his two boys go out into the night in their costumes, spending the evening trick or treating with their friends.  As he got older, Larry enjoyed listening to his family’s exploits, offering advice when needed, exhibiting a robust sense of humour, and taking pride in the part he played in raising his sons.  It was for these reasons that the bond between Larry and his children became stronger and stronger in the latter stages of his life.  And even near the end, as he was ailing, one could still see and feel his will and determination.  For all of us, that is the man we will remember.

Larry leaves to mourn his: children, Jeff (Iris) Lubyk of Saskatoon and Jason Lubyk of Saskatoon; step-grandchildren Raymond (Chloe) Robert of Chilliwack, BC and Sydney (Trent) Robert of Saskatoon; step-great grandchild Kaydin Robert of Saskatoon; mother Mary Lubyk of Birch Hills; siblings Raymond (Donna) Lubyk of Weirdale, Leona (Norman) Pellerin of Prince Albert, and Donald (Marva) Lubyk of Prince Albert; brother in law Senator David (Sharon) Tkachuk of Saskatoon; nieces Teri (Keith) Tkachuk of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Lyndsey (Billy) McLennan of Prince Albert, Dana Pellerin of Yorkton, and Sherri (Jesse) Lubyk of Samburg; nephews Brad (Nancy) Tkachuk of Vancouver, BC, Ashley (Lisa) Lubyk of Kelowna, BC, and Darren Lubyk of Weirdale; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

Larry was predeceased by his: wife Darlene Lubyk; father John Lubyk; father-in-law George Tkachuk; mother-in-law Pauline Tkachuk; uncle Tom Lubyk; aunt Rose Olesiuk; and nephew Darcy Pellerin.

Larry’s family would like to thank the nurses and doctors from St. Paul’s Hospital and Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon for all the care provided to him through the last while. Every one of you made his stay bearable not only by helping him be comfortable medically but by taking the time to speak with him and showing care and concern. We appreciate every one of you for going out of your way for making his time and stay there as comfortable as it could be.

Private Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at Gray’s Funeral Chapel, 575 28 Street West, Prince Albert, SK with Reverend Andrei Kachur officiating.  Interment will be held at South Hill Cemetery. In memory of Larry, donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 1 – 2217 Hanselman Court, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A8.

Services will be live streamed and videotaped. If you wish to view the service, the live stream link is aspenfilms.ca/grays.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306) 922-4729.

 

• Date : 2021-01-31
• Location : Saskatoon, SK