CANORA - The 100th birthday celebration of John J. Oystryk was held on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Weber House at the Yorkton and District Nursing Home.
Friends and family gathered to honor John, even though his actual birthday falls on Sept. 17. Fifty-five people attended the event; including two of John’s siblings, three of his four sons, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and lifelong family friends.
The event was marked by warm speeches from John's sons, Les, Frank, and Andy Oystryk, who shared stories and memories of their father. John, the third eldest of nine Oystryk siblings, was joined by two of his three surviving siblings: 82-year-old George Oystryk and 95-year-old Effie Todoschuk. His brother Mike, who lives in Vernon, B.C., was unable to attend.
The celebration featured congratulatory messages from Premier Scott Moe, Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty, Governor General of Canada Mary Simon, and King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, as well as heartfelt messages from family members across Canada who could not attend.
As family and friends shared personal stories, memories of John's life unfolded — from his early days of hard work on the farm with his parents and siblings, to running the Canora Gas Station, managing Active Accounting in Canora and Preeceville, genealogy research for family and friends, and working on various projects in northern areas like Creighton and Churchill. Stories of his deep connection to farming, vacations with his wife Olga and four boys, his travels across Canada and Ukraine, and his dedication to his home community brought both laughter and tears. The highlight of the stories was his lifelong resilience and commitment to hard work, which served as an inspiration to all present.
A moving poem written by John in 2020, at the age of 96, titled A Year of a Farmer was read aloud by his granddaughter Melanie Evenson. The poem poetically captured the essence of farm life through the seasons and resonated deeply with the attendees.
“I am not the engine that pulls the train,
I am not the railcar that carries the grain.
I am the farmer who is up with the sun,
And does not retire until the days work is done.
I enjoy the winters with all the snow,
But at the end of March I wish the snow to go.
Into April with the warm sun,
The newborn calves like to jump and run.
In the month of May it is time to seed the grain,
And when it is done, I pray for warm rain.
In June, time goes day by day,
And into July it is time to cut and store hay.
In August, and just in time,
It is time to tune up the old combine.
In September the harvest is on again,
And finished when all the grain is in the bin.
In October, it is time to relax,
Sell some grain and pay the tax.
In November, in a snowstorm,
With the fireplace on, we are cozy and warm.
In December, with joy of the season,
We celebrate and visit with good reason.”
John spoke at the conclusion of the event, reflecting on his century-long journey. With humour and warmth, he reminisced about growing up on the farm, traveling with his family, and how he managed to juggle farm duties and life’s adventures.
"I’ve been one to understand changes in the world," John said, as he expressed gratitude for all who attended. His voice, still strong and clear, echoed across the room as he thanked everyone for making the day so special. “I am happy to still have a voice to be able to say what little I can here, and I hope that all of you that made it here today enjoyed being here to make me happy with my day. I thank you kindly and I wish you all the best that you can wish for yourselves," he added with a smile.
His sister Effie provided a light-hearted moment, joking about their childhood together. She teased that as an older brother, John made her life difficult by watching over her interactions with boys and using his slingshot to keep them apart.
“The only way I could get him to stop was to get married,” she joked. Effie, now 95, adding, “I’m not far behind him in age and aim to beat him.”
A special highlight of the day was a nostalgic surprise for John, meticulously planned by his eldest grandson, Allan Oystryk. In 2007, Allan had purchased John’s cherished 1955 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe for $1, a car that John had originally bought in 1959. After years of storage, Allan, a mechanic by trade, spent the past year restoring the car to working and driving condition. He trailered it from Saskatoon to Yorkton so John could once again experience the sound and feel of the beloved vehicle that had taken his family of six on many cross-country adventures. As Allan revved the engine, John smiled, reminiscing, “Good old Pontiac, it sure runs smoothly.”
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