NIKIFORUK, RAYMOND Born October 13, 1924 to Andrew and Vasylyna Nikiforuk in North Battleford, SK. He passed away peacefully at the age of 98 in his home at Harwood Manor on March 28, 2023. Ray is survived by his wife, Olga, his partner for 73 years; son, Myron (Tracy Abbott), former wife Arlene and their children- Nicholas (Jessica Lawrence): Daniel, Charles and Michael; Janelle (Dallin) Cox: Kaylee and Macie; Danielle; daughter, Patricia Weber and her daughter Natasha Keemp (Wade Berlin); son, Welsey (Donna) and her children- Tiffany (Kevin) Austin: Cooper; Colter (Jillyan) Hahn: Parker; and younger brother, Yaroslaw (Stella). Ray was predeceased by his parents and 7 of his siblings and spouses- Mary (Walter) Sochaski, Olga (Andrew) Borsa, David (Eileen), Steven (Joan), John (Helen), Gordon (Marge), and Alice (Peter) Kowalsky.

Ray grew up on a farm in the Redfield- Dominion area and was an active member of the community. He participated in the Redfield-Dominion Softball Club as a teen when they took part in the community Sports Days, sometimes even coming home as the winners. He was also active in the local farmers hockey club; they cleared off snow from frozen ponds or made their own rinks and held games there for fun. Since his youth he belonged to the local “SUMK” (a Ukrainian youth organization existing across Canada) which included contests in public speaking, reciting poetry, Ukrainian dancing and singing. As a farmer he was a member of the National Farmers Union and the Wheat Pool. He was a proud member of the local Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Volodymyr and belonged to the church choir tenor section. This church was built in 1933 and still stands in its original site. Ray’s father Andrew was one of the farmers who helped build it. Ray farmed in the Redfield- Dominion area until his retirement in 2008 when he sold the farm and moved into the city of North Battleford. Ray, better known as Slim, had a mischievous smile, and you couldn’t walk into his home without that smile greeting you at the door, followed by being asked if you would like a drink. Ray always enjoyed company and would stop whatever he was doing to visit, have a drink, share a meal, and laugh with anyone that came into their home. We will miss him dearly but our memories of him will always live on. Ray’s friends and family gathered to celebrate his life April 5, 2023, at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church in North Battleford, SK. Interment followed at the North Battleford City Cemetery.

Card of Thanks The family of Ray would like to thank the following: the staff at Harwood Manor for treating Ray with respect, compassion and truly making it his

home; The Very Reverend Bohdan Demczuk for the heartfelt service; Wesley for writing the touching eulogy and sharing it with us; John Sendecki for serving as the Altar Server; Jim Shevchuk for serving as Cantor; Ted Ciona and Dale Pluta for serving as Cross Bearers; KC Kitchen for providing and serving the fellowship lunch and Chic and Shabby for the beautiful spray for the casket. Thank you to the pallbearers Wesley Nikiforuk, Nicholas Nikiforuk, Dallin Cox, Michael Nikiforuk, Andy Ciona and Nestor Kowalsky; Ray would have loved it knowing you carried him to his final resting place. Thank you to everyone for memorial donations made in honor of Ray. Thank you to everyone who called, dropped by, sent cards, sent flowers, brought food, or baking, shared memories and offered help in anyway. Thank you to everyone who attended Ray’s celebration of life and to everyone who shared in his life in ways we’ll never even be aware of. Thank you to Trevor Watts, Andrea Hoffman, and the staff at Eternal Memories for their kindness and sympathy at our time of need.

Condolences for the family can be made at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium – Trevor Watts Funeral Director.

• Date : 2023-03-30
• Location : North Battleford, SK