Bill Bartko

With great sadness, the family of the late Bill Bartko, beloved husband of the late Sonya Bartko, announce his passing at the Pasqua Hospital, Regina, SK, on Monday, May 20, 2024, at the age of 81 years.
Bill was born on February 10, 1943, in Rama, SK, to Peter and Anne (nee Doroshenko) Bartko. He was the second youngest of twelve children. Bill attended grades 1- 8 at Bellenden, grades 9 and 10 in Rama, and grades 11 and 12 in Canora, graduating in 1962. After graduation, he worked for CN for a year then started working for Canora Sheet Metal.
Bill met Sonya Leson and they were wed in 1967. They had 2 daughters, Lisa and Chelsea.
Bill, along with his brother, Jack Bartko, and brother-in-law, Ben Ochitwa, started Canora Plumbing and Heating in 1978. Ben left the small business to farm and Bill and Jack continued the shop until they retired in 2022.
Bill and Jack, Russell Baron, and John Chocholik played in a band called Senators 4. They added different players over the years. Many weekends were spent on the road playing at weddings and other occasions.
Bill loved the train and especially enjoyed the VIA train ride to Prince Rupert with his family to visit his brother, Dan. Summers were spent camping at George’s Beach and Canora Beach and farming.
Bill also loved gardening and planting everything, especially tomatoes.
As the years went by, getting together with other business owners and friends for weekly “Safety Meetings” were always a highlight and soon became a tradition.
After Sonya passed away and his retirement, Bill enjoyed driving around town, checking up on Lisa and Chelsea, going shopping, and buying his lottery tickets.
Bill touched the lives of many people, young and old, and will be deeply missed by all those that knew him.
Bill was predeceased by parents, Peter and Anne Bartko; son, Robert (in infancy); wife, Sonya; son-in-law, Adrien Rock; brothers: Eusten, Tommy, Mike, Nick, Dan and Paul; and his sister, Maria (in infancy).
He is survived by his daughters, Lisa (Dan) Sakal, and Chelsea Rock; his beloved grandchildren: Billy, Abbey (Colton Screpnek) Sakal, Matthew and Josh Rock; brother, Jack (Frances) Bartko; sisters, Nettie Zemluk, Mary Sushelnitski, and Katie (Ben) Ochitwa; and his brother-in-law, Ed (Pat) Leson; as well as his extended family and many friends.
A Public Visitation was held from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Sunday, May 26, 2024, and the Funeral Service at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 27, 2024, both from the Chapel of Leson’s Funeral Home, Canora, SK, with Rev. Fr. Yurii Obykh officiating. Interment followed in the Canora Cemetery, Canora, SK. 

If you knew Bill, he always loved making you smile. 
Here are some of his memorable quotes:
You one, me one
Mickey Poster
Are you an is are or an are is?
And you were laughing?
Cookie, Cake or pie?
Who’s the best there is?
Now tell me, who do you think you are?
That’s 144 (gross)
Smoking Time, Smoking time
I know better for I hear, Santa Clause will soon be here
You know me, I’m Bill Bartko, I come from Durnic, 
just 2 miles south of Rama
Did you eat whole heartedly or conscientiously?
How is are you? I is are good
Stabbed me in the back straight to my face
She used to be my girl, now she wants to come back
Tell me something soft and mushy
Jump into bed and cover your head 
because Santa Clause comes tonight
Inhale deeply
Auchenbagen
Time for a shot?
Going to do ‘seweries’

Vichnaya Pamyat—Вічная  пам'ять—Eternal Memory