James (Jim) Hupka

James Hupka, beloved husband of Eileen Hupka of the Canora District, SK, passed away at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre on August 21, 2018, at the age of 80 years.
Jim was born on January 22, 1938, at Canora, SK, the first of two children to John and Annie (Danyluk) Hupka. He attended Wysla School and then continued his high school in Canora. Upon graduation, he furthered his education and obtained a teaching certificate at Teacher’s College in Moose Jaw, SK. Jim’s first teaching position was at Black Poplar School, where he met the love of his life, Eileen Popowich. They were married on October 9, 1959 and were blessed with three children: Debbie, Cindy and Dan.
After Black Poplar, Jim accepted a position and began teaching at Buchanan and Invermay schools. While he taught, he continued to farm with Eileen and the kids. His passion for farming was greater than his love for teaching, so after a few years he made the decision to give up his teaching career to pursue and dedicate his time as a full-time farmer. With a love for his animals, Jim raised everything from cattle, sheep, pigs, horses and goats to every kind of poultry one could imagine. He also did some grain farming with the assistance of his wife and family.
Throughout his lifetime, one of Jim’s biggest passions was being active on many boards and councils. He spent over 30 years on the RM of Good Lake council, 34 years on the Burgis C & D, and many years on the Sheep Development Board, Canora Wildlife Federation, teaching Firearm Safety, along with several other clubs and organizations.
Jim loved Ukrainian music and as he got older, listening to the “Saturday Night Get Together” on GX94 was a weekly event.
Together, Jim and Eileen cherished their six grandchildren and always looked forward to their visits to the farm. Jim was blessed to become a great-grandfather to James in 2016.
A very proud but generous person, he always enjoyed having visitors and entertaining family and friends at his home. Jim’s friends, family and their companionship were very important to him. He always had time to stop for a coffee or a “shot” when someone came down the road.
It was a very difficult day for the family when due to a chronic lung condition and developing dementia, Jim left the farm and moved to Foam Lake Jubilee Care Home. The family greatly appreciates the staff and Dr. Van Heerden for their care and support.
Jim will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was predeceased by his parents, John and Annie Hupka, and his brother-in-law, Ernie Stefanyshyn.
Jim is lovingly remembered and survived by his wife, Eileen; children: Debbie (Kelly) Hupka-Butz, Cindy (Darcel) Pittman and Daniel (Lisa) Hupka; six grandchildren: Kristen (Tom) Schmidt, Matthew Butz, Katelyn Butz, Nathan Hupka, Adam Hupka and Owen Hupka; great-grandchild, James Schmidt; and his sister, Eileen Stefanyshyn; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
In Jim’s honour, Prayers were held on Sunday, August 26, 2018 at 7:00 pm and the Funeral Service continued Monday, August 27, 2018 at 10:00 am both from the Chapel of Leson’s Funeral Home, Canora, SK, with Rev. Fr. Michael Faryna officiating. Interment followed in Holy Sunday Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, Wysla, southwest of Canora, SK. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Holy Sunday Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery Fund – Wysla Church or to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Jim Hupka.