Nick Koleada

Nick Koleada September 24, 1921 to March 26, 2011 With great sadness, the family announces the passing of Nick Koleada, with his family by his side, at the University Hospital on March 26, 2011. Nick is survived by his wife Helen; his sister Vera Donesley; his brother George; sisters-in-law Marie Koleada, Grace Prochaska and Lorna Fairweather; brothersin-law Joe Melashenko, Gordon Fairweather and Bill Fairweather; daughter and son-in-law Heather and John Pijper; grandchildren Jackie and Sean Pijper, Kelly Pataca and Kristen Patchett; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter Brenda Patchett, his parents Peter and Lena (Rabuka) Koleada, his brothers John, Peter, Paul, Henry, Mike, and his sisters Kate Krowchenko, Olive Tkachuk, and Annie Melashenko. Nick was born in the Arlee area in 1921. At age 5, he developed rheumatic fever that damaged his heart. As a young man he farmed with his family. Later he applied to the armed forces during WW II but was not accepted because of his heart condition. As a result, Nick and his brother Henry, purchased farmland in the Struan area. During his farming years he moved to Saskatoon temporarily to take a farm mechanics course. While has was in the city he boarded at the Fairweather's home where he met his young bride, Helen. They were married in 1946 and moved to the farm that he had purchased. Their two daughters, Heather and Brenda, were born during this time. During the winters Nick and Helen and family stayed in Saskatoon where Nick worked at the Saskatoon Arena with his father-in-law Finlay Ross Fairweather, and brother-in-law Gordon Fairweather. Nick and Helen sold their farm in 1956 and moved to Saskatoon where they bought their house on Third Street. Nick worked as a truck driver for Honey Bunch bakery. Later on he purchased a taxi franchise and drove taxi for 23 years. While he was a taxi driver he required open-heart surgery to replace his damaged mitro valve. During his life Nick enjoyed traveling to Hawaii with Helen, friends and family many times over the years. He also loved to tend to his flower and vegetable gardens, to watch hockey games and golf on T.V., and to go fishing. Nick retired in 1993. Nick's family would appreciate memorial donations to be made to ADRA Canada (Adventist Disaster Relief Association), 1148 King Street East, Oshawa, ON, L1H 1H8 ( www.adra.ca ). Visitation will be held between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2011. Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Both events will be held at Park Funeral Chapel, 311 Third Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. To send condolences to the family, visit www.parkfuneral.ca . Arrangements entrusted to Derryl Hildebrandt, PARK FUNERAL CHAPEL, 306.244.2103 .