Ron Hnatiuk

Ron Hnatiuk beloved husband of Margaret of Swift Current, passed away at the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, on Thursday, September 23, 2021, at the age of 74.  Ron was born on February 21, 1947, in Insinger, SK, delivered by his father, John Hnatiuk, during a terrible blizzard when medical help was unavailable.  Ron grew up in various teacherages in Saskatchewan, including Wishart and Runnymeade.  Skipping grades in school he attended Teacher’s College at a young age, where he first learned his lifelong love of education.  He taught at Punnichy, Saskatchewan, returning to the University of Saskatchewan to complete his Bachelor of Education degree two years later.  In 1970, he began teaching in Swift Current, Saskatchewan with his then-new wife and soul mate, Margaret (Reinhardt).  He continued his education completing his Bachelor of Arts and his Masters of Educational Administration.   Ron had a stellar career as an educator, eventually becoming Principal at Ashley Park Elementary School, Vice-Principal of the Swift Current Comprehensive High School, and then Principal of the Comp for 8 years, retiring in 1998 after providing 30 years of educational service.  His accolades included the SSBA Distinguished Administrator of the Year and the Canadian Association of Principals Distinguished Principal Awards.  Ron was also active with the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF), becoming an STF Counsellor to help represent teachers and to sit on Boards of References, among other tasks.   Fred Herron, at one time General Secretary of the STF, became a valuable mentor and good friend.  Following his retirement, Ron was never idle; he worked for Crop Insurance, Elections Canada, and Elections Saskatchewan.  He was also involved with the Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists for which he received the President’s Award in 2008 for Outstanding Service as a civilian Board member of the organization.  Ron’s love of people and learning continued throughout his life.  He was part of the South West Archeological Society and treasured finding arrowheads and other archeological finds; he also connected with others through genealogical research, and took courses on photography, glass making, willow furniture making, among others. Ron developed a number of passions that continued well into his retirement, many of which showed his incredible patience and attention to detail.  Ron fully restored a 1928 Ford Model A; he had never done anything like that before and, when he got the car running, he must’ve smiled for a week!  Ron was never, ever bored and always had projects on the go; unfortunately, he was unable to complete his long-time pet project of building an accurate, scale model of the Bluenose.  He spent many tedious hours working on it, but the time spent was always a great joy to him.  Ron also broadened himself through travel.  His journey took him to places like Mexico, the Dominican Republic, the Canadian East Coast, and Hawaii.  In 1999, he and his father, John traveled to Ukraine to stay in the Village of Beleluia, from which his Grandfather, Dymtro, emigrated; the three-week trip was, by his account, a trip of a lifetime.  Ron also enjoyed his time spent travelling with his immediate family – he and Marg travelled to Trinidad and Tobago, where he worked with another group of educators to help teachers transition from the English A-Level system to the North American model.  He enjoyed a fishing trip with his son, Justin, in Sooke, B.C., and also travelled with his son Lee to Las Vegas and New Orleans.  Ron was pre-deceased by his parents, John and Helen (Peciak) and his in-laws, Russell and Dorothy Reinhardt.  He is survived by his wife, Margaret, his son Justin (Pam) and granddaughter Amelie, and Ron’s youngest son Lee. He is further survived by his brothers Garfield (Johanna) and Ken (Dianne); Marg’s siblings Herb (Allie) and Ann (Bob); his nieces and nephews:  Mark, Erin, Christopher, Nathan, Dana, Kari, Trevor, Christine and Rob.  Ron loved his family and friends dearly.  He was a proud Ukrainian and enjoyed working with family to learn more about his family’s history and culture.  He was known for his (sometimes corny) sense of humour, his compassion, his generosity, his warmth, and his love of his devoted wife, Marg.  In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage donations to be made to NASHI, an organization working with exploited women and girls in Ukraine who were rescued from human trafficking.  NASHI established Maple Leaf House, a supportive home in Ukraine to provide education, protection, and care for 20 girls.  NASHI also provides education to others worldwide about the atrocities of human trafficking.  For more information, or to make a donation, see www.nashi.ca.  Anyone wishing to provide a video tribute or video message about Ron may e-mail ronhnatiukmemorial@gmail.com for further information.  Videos received by September 29, 2021 will be displayed either at the funeral venue or online.  A visitation for relatives and friends will be held on Friday, October 1, 2021 from 7 to 8 p.m. from the Chapel of Bailey’s Funeral Home in Melville.  A Family Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. from St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Melville.  Relatives and friends wishing to support the family may view a livestream of the service beginning at 10:45 a.m. by following the link on Ron’s obituary page at www.warrensfuneralhome.com, or at www.baileysfuneralhome.com.  Interment will follow in Ss. Peter and Paul Parish Cemetery in Fenwood.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Warren’s Funeral Home in Swift Current in cooperation with Bailey’s Funeral Home, Melville.

In light of the recent spike of Covid-19 cases within Saskatchewan, the family urges those wishing to attend to kindly view the service online.  Seating within St. Mary George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church to be provided to immediate family only.  Additional considerations are being made for those who wish to visit Melville, but watch the service online (next door at the hall).  Masks and social distancing will be strictly enforced to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

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