Sozon Malinsky

With great sadness, the family of the late Sozon Malinsky announce his peaceful passing at the Canora Gateway Lodge on April 7, 2022, with family at his side, at the age of 98 years, just 20 days short of his 99th birthday. He lived a good and long life. Sozon was born April 27,1923, and was raised on his parent’s farm 5 miles north of Rhein, SK. In his youth, he lived and worked in logging camps in Northern Saskatchewan and worked in a Sudbury, ON, smelter during WW2.In 1944, he married Lillian Uhryn and together they farmed near Verigin, SK. In 1947, they sold the Verigin farm and developed the Lucky Dollar General Store and Locker Plant in Rhein, SK, in the old BMO building, which Sozon successfully managed for 20 years. Sozon owned and operated the Saltcoats Lake Hotel in 1964 until 1974. On his birthday in 1970, Sozon married Helen Smandych. Together in 1974, they sold the Hotel and farmed southwest of Donwell, SK. Their farmyard was like a beautiful park, with gardens, many flowers, lawns, and nice farm buildings - always immaculate. They were outstanding farmers and worked together as a 'well oiled machine.' They hosted many large, fun gatherings, enjoyed playing cards, had many visits with family and friends and loved their busy, social, and tranquil farming lifestyle for 15 years. Sozon was a great husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother, and a good friend to many. He was a talented, kind, ambitious, creative, sociable, active, and generous entrepreneur and most notably, a loving and generous man to his family and friends. Throughout his life, he was a faithful, devoted, and generous Christian Member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Mazeppa, SK, Rhein, SK, Yorkton, SK, and Canora, SK. In later years, he attended church services in different communities in the area. Sozon loved caroling at Ukrainian Christmas and sang in many choirs and was well renowned to break into a song at parties and family events. They enjoyed many visits with family and friends throughout Western Canada and vacationed in Hawaii, Mexico, Bahamas and throughout the US. His most notable trip was to the Ukraine with his sister, Doreen (Allan) Pasichnyk and his brother-in-law, Carl Gulak in 1993, when they visited with the Malinsky family in the home his father was born and raised in. Sozon and Helen moved to Canora, SK, after retiring in 1990 and spent 17 years at their winter home in Weslaco, TX. Sozon became famous for his large, unique snow sculptures that he created in their front yard in Canora, SK, for many winters. He created many beautiful wood and stone carvings with his skillful hands. He always saw some beauty in every piece of wood or rock he touched. He enjoyed taking pictures, many were shared with family and friends in their annual Christmas greeting cards.Sozon was a diligent record keeper. All his visitors signed and dated a book, he kept daily weather records, recorded birth, and death dates (1,000+ family and friends) and made 'Family Tree' records (including family in Ukraine.) At the age of 70, after his Dr’s orders to ‘slow down,’ he took up golf. Over the next 20 years, he recorded 1200+ games in Canora, SK, and 1 in Kamloops, BC. His annual goal was to play the number of games to match his age. He never kept score and quickly carted around slow golfers to the next hole, always keeping tee boxes free of broken tees. In 2018, they moved to Eaglestone Lodge in Kamsack, SK. As his health declined, he recently became a resident of the Canora Gateway Lodge, where he continued to reside until his passing on April 7, 2022. He was a very generous provider, loved life and is dearly loved by all who knew him.Sozon was predeceased by his parents, Nickolas and Claudia Malinsky; beloved wife of 48 years, Helen (Smandych) Malinsky; sisters, Alvina (Carl) Gulak, Alice (Joe) Osachuk, and Doreen (Allan) Pasichnyk; brothers, Adolf, Manuel (Francis), and Arseny (Joey), and son-in-law, Don Nahnybida. He is survived by his son, Mark (Lynn), of Peachland, BC, and granddaughter Dee (Edward and great grandchildren, Otey/Mayes) Porter, Port Moody and grandson Dan (Kjersti and great grandchildren, Mila/Finley) Malinsky of Kelowna, BC; son, Julian (Gail) Ajijic of Mexico; daughter, Zoria Nahnybida, of Vernon, BC, and grandchildren: Gina (Tim and great grandson, Mitch) Parker of Kamloops, BC, and Angie (Erin and great grandchildren: Tyler, Miranda, Jacob, Kassie, Brianna and Dallas) Dodd, of Abbotsford, BC; son, Waldemar (Laurie) and granddaughter, Jessica (Nic and great grandchildren, Alexis/Natalie) Fields of Dawson Creek, BC; and his brother, Nestor (Ophelia) Malinsky of Anahim Lake, BC; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 'Dad didn't tell me how to live; he lived and let me watch him do it.' - Mark, Julian, Zoria, and Wally.The Malinsky family extends a very special thank you to Dona (Gulak) and Bob Franklin for always being there for Sozon, Canora Gateway Lodge Staff for their care over the past year, and Mark, Zoria, Wally, and Laurie for being with him during his final weeks.In Sozon’s honour, Prayers were held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at the Chapel of Leson’s Funeral Home, Canora, SK. The Funeral Service was held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 27, 2022, from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, Canora, SK, with Rev. Fr. Petro Tsenov officiating. Interment followed in the Canora Cemetery, Canora, SK. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations in support of Ukraine’s crisis relief efforts, c/o Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, Canora, SK, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Sozon Malinsky.Live Stream Access for the Funeral Service:https://www.facebook.com/101747374827775/live/