Obituary of John Melnyk

John was born October 21, 1924 in Edwand, Alberta, eldest son of Katherine and Bill. He was raised in a three generation household with traditional Ukrainian ways. When John started school he could only speak Ukrainian and had to learn to read and write English. After John finished high school he took his technical training at the Edmonton Technical Institute. He then worked at several temporary jobs. During this time the Army called. After taking his basic training, he arrived in Halifax, prepared to ship out. However, the end of the war was declared and he never did make it overseas. John returned home to Edmonton and went to work at Edmonton Auto Parts where he met Wilf Seal who was to become his partner in the next phase of his life - the Machine Shop. John and Wilf both had a desire to set out on their own and together started their first shop - Barrhead Machine & Welding - in Barrhead, Alberta. One day a beautiful blonde walked into the shop to pick up tractor parts for her father. After she left, John looked over at Wilf and said, "I'm going to marry her." They married in 1948 and soon began their family. He shared the next 60 plus years with her. Eileen in 1949, Marian in 1950, Bill in 1954 and finally the baby, Faith in 1957. Life was good. John and Wilf wanted to expand and decided to open up another shop, Northland Machine, this time in Dawson Creek. In the fall of 1957, John moved by himself to Dawson Creek and set up the business with his family joining him in 1959. Once settled in Dawson Creek, John heard about some land that was open to homesteading in Bonanza. John & Hazel applied for homesteading rights and their passion for farm life began. He took on the task of building the first private elevator in the area. In 1973, unable to purchase a suitable tractor, John built his own - the "Normac" was born. Another tractor followed in 1977. Both tractors are still running today! John developed a passion for flying. He got his private pilot's license in 1960 and flew for 3 decades. John indulged his passion for travel, traveling to San Jose, Las Vegas, Europe, Australia, The Holy Land, the Mediterranean, Finland and Russia among others. John was always affectionate and rarely could you pass by when he wouldn't give you a pat on the shoulder, a quick kiss and say, "You are my pet." Retirement wasn't in John's vocabulary. He went into the shop everyday until his vision began to fail and after that he had Hazel drive him in. John passed away on January 9, 2009 at the age of 84 years. A funeral service was held on January 15, 2009 at the Bonanza Hall, Bonanza, Alberta. Pastor Thomas Colley officiated, interment was held at a later date. Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium.