Paul Andrew Hunchak

The family of Paul Hunchak are saddened to announce his passing. He lost his battle with cancer on April 3, 2024.

Paul was born at home on July 27, 1934 near Hafford, SK., the tenth of twelve children. His family moved to the Borden area in 1945 where he completed his schooling at Halcyonia school (spending many winter mornings hiking through the snow to start the school’s wood stove).

Paul was a grain farmer for 40+  years. He farmed five quarters of land near Borden, commuting from Saskatoon. This allowed him time to be with his family and fully participate in the school and sports activities of his children.

He was renowned for coaching in the St. Edwards and Hudson Bay Park area of Saskatoon - both hockey and fastball - culminating in several tournament and provincial fastball championships, and in winning the Western Canadian Bantam Boys Fastball Championships in both 1980 and 1981. He was also an accomplished ice-maker - helping with the St Edwards school rink every winter, and for years produced the best backyard rink on 33rd Street.

Dad was an accomplished athlete - excelling in fastball and golf. He golfed almost daily - up until two years ago when his illness made it impossible to get out on the links. And his family heard many stories about his fastball days as a pitcher with the Baldwin Hotel Shamrocks.

Dad loved his golf.  He could often be found at the Borden Golf Course - both playing and looking after the course. He was caretaker there for several decades, but also found the time to be a multi-time winner of various tournaments held in Borden.  He also travelled extensively through central Saskatchewan playing in countless tournaments and match-play championships. He made many friends over his lifetime, but maybe his closest were his golfing buddies - Geno, Vern, Rob, and Jimmy.

Dad was an avid sports fan - following the Blue Jays, the Riders, the NHL, golf, and curling. As he would often remind us - he’d forgotten more about these sports than we would ever know!
Paul was wise, thoughtful, kind, and funny. He had an endless supply of "papa" jokes, and would supply one (or three) on any occasion.
When Dad wasn’t farming, golfing, playing cribbage, or watching sports, he could be found at the Saskatoon Auction Mart. Old “1004”, as he was known there, was infamous for snapping up many a bargain.

Paul is survived by his loving wife and golf partner of 61 years, Margaret; his daughter Valerie; his sons Gord (Dawn) and Andrew (Pearl).  Also left to forever remember him are his grandchildren: Alex (Emma), Christian, Sloane, Bohdan, Robert (Christa), and Joseph; and three great grandchildren - Olivia, Mavis, and Jacob.

He is also survived by his brother Bill (Edna), sisters Natalie, Victoria, and Joan, brother-in-law David (Alvera), and sisters -in-law Hilda (David), Elvira (Fred), Linda, and Donna, along with many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents Alex and Polly; brothers Nick, Mike, and Walter, and sisters Olga and Anne.

The family would like to thank the Palliative Home Care Nursing team (especially Terisse), Dr Cyprian Enweani, and Dr Barb Large.  We would also like to express our sincere appreciation and love for the support of Lorne and Mary Hunchak, Anthony Hunchak, Margaret Grosfield, Keith Weisgerber, and Mom and Dad’s neighbours - Frank, Kathy, Brent, Brenda, Shelley, Florence, Gordon, and many more.

At Dad’s request, there will be no funeral. A private memorial ceremony will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we encourage friends and family members to play a round at the Borden Golf Course this season in memory of Paul, where donations to his favourite course can also be made.