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MAXIMCHUK, Jacob was born November 10, 1928, in Canora, Saskatchewan, and passed away December 3, 2008. Jacob is survived by his wife Nayda, sons Neil ÒMaxÓ (Nria) and Alan (Sandra), and his grandson Pau. Jacob was predeceased by his parents Fred and Pauline (Andriash); infant granddaughter Chelsea Hope; brothers Metro, William and Peter; and sister Nellie. The funeral service was held Friday, December 5 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter/St. James Anglican Church with Reverend Raymond Knight officiating. Active pallbearers were Dale Zimmer, Harvey Richard, George Chigol, Armand LeClair, Gerald Clark, and Dwight Collins. The ushers were Ivor Hedman and Ted Linnick, and the memorial register attendants were Sheila LeClair and Lora Richard. Following the interment at East Hillside Cemetery, a delicious lunch was served by the Circle C in the St. Peter/St. James Anglican Church Parish Hall. His eulogy was given by his son Neil ÒMaxÓ. To Dad Eighty years and a few short weeks ago, Fred and Pauline had a new baby boy joining their family. Young Jacob grew up in Canora, Saskatchewan, with his three brothers, Metro, Bill and Peter, and his sister, Nellie. They, like many others in their time, knew hardship, what it was like to grow up during the Depression, the Second World War, and making ends meet. But they did. And life wasnÕt all hard. There were adventures and marvels along the way too. Like the time young Jake was riding his bicycle alongside a river late one summer evening. He got off it and quietly approached something that caught his attention. It was a hill, the top of which was full of rabbits, all facing away from him, watching the sun go down. And Jacob took in that most unusual, beautiful moment, watching the rabbits watching the sunset. Jake took a great interest in life. Growing up on a farm, more than one, actually, as the family had to adapt to the cards dealt them, he sometimes had to put his responsibilities, his chores, before that of school, but he went whenever he could. As the young boy turned into a young man, he left farming to try his luck in the big city of Winnipeg. He worked in the Free Press, and he started German classes at night. He tried his hand at a few jobs like diamond drilling at Herb Lake, but eventually he ended up here in Flin Flon. He helped build the Flin Flon Post Office building, and he worked for HBM&S for 35 years - 17 in the smelter bag house and 18 in the lab. Among JakeÕs interests was the sport of badminton where he discovered how to make a most unusual smash hit which he saw replicated many years later by some professionals. It was in badminton that he made another discovery, that of a young new school teacher by the name of Nayda Boyko. Frustrated by her awkward novice attempts at the game, he took it upon himself to become her teacher. And from that, a romance was born. Their love blossomed and deepened, and they made their mutual commitments on July 11, 1956. They had two sons, Alan and myself, who experienced firsthand his gentle ways with children, his clarity of thought, and his love to construct and to create. I remember when I was a young boy in elementary school, I had to make a presentation to my class and he went and presented me with a makeshift microphone, complete with stand, to accompany me as a prop when I made that presentation. The microphone didnÕt work, of course, but it looked real, very much like what could be used in the radio shows back in the Õ50s and early Õ60s. He was there in spirit, in my class, supporting me as I nervously made my speech, and as he is with me, with us, at this very moment. We saw firsthand how he taught himself and unleashed his magic in the world of horticulture, how, even in this northern climate, he could grow vegetables and flowers of such quality that people from all over would come to admire his work in the back yard garden. One year Jake and Nayda decided to enter their sweet peas in the Winnipeg International Show. He grew them, and she arranged them in that artistic manner she has. Off the sweet peas went by plane, being jostled about, finally making their way to the competition tables in Winnipeg. They asked my motherÕs sister and her husband to see how well these sweet peas survived the trip, but they looked and they looked and they couldnÕt find them. It turned out that these sweet peas were not placed at the regular tables after all. They found their way to a place reserved for the highest honour, The Court of Honour, and received the Rosette Award. Competing with flowers from across Canada and the States, their sweet peas took first place. And they did it again the next year. And the next. They won seven years in a row. Our next door neighbours at the time were really into square dancing, and one day they were entertaining two people who had come in especially to judge some folk dancing. It came up in their conversation that these judges asked them if by chance they happened to know a Jacob Maximchuk who grows beautiful sweet peas and keeps beating them in the competitions. They were curious about the types of soil used, the seeds, etc. ÒWell, thatÕs easy,Ó was the reply. ÒYou can ask him yourself - heÕs our next door neighbour, and heÕs probably in the garden as we speak!Ó My father was many things. My father was a simple man. My father was a simple man who loved simple things. He sought not the recognition from his good works, nor prestige, or money. Just enough to make his family comfortable. My father was a complicated man. Although not a church goer, I believe him to be a man with religion within. My father was a good friend, easy company to share opinions and thoughts, to joke around with, to sit out on the porch and pass the time. He was a good father, present and supportive when we needed him, who offered a friendly ear and encouraging words. He was a loved and admired grandfather whose grandson would seek his company and be content just to be near him. He was a good husband, faithful and dedicated, a person who would go into the forest to pick fresh wild roses for his wife every spring. I often wondered to myself, ÒHow, Dad, how did you know all those things?Ó beating teachers at Trivial Pursuit, teaching yourself about stamps and the history behind the bottles, telling your boys about rocks and geography when we went with you on our bush walks, fixing the car, talking about politics and responsibilities, standing up to the police when they overstepped their bounds, your ability at carpentry, your unassuming but always present commitment to those close to you. How did you get to be the man you were? A good man, a family man, an honest man. You were in a lot of pain these last months. IÕm happy that you were able to spend your birthday at home, enjoying the meal so lovingly prepared by Mom, sharing your birthday with your friends. That Alan and Sandy and I were able to see you. That Nria and Pau were able to see you. That your brotherÕs daughters Irene and Linda were able to see you. That your sisterÕs son Ron and his wife, Diane, were able to see you. That you had a friend like Dale who became part of our family. That you had so many that came to know you and to respect you. Your family and your friends are here with you today, as we always will be. WeÕll be with you in spirit, as you are in us, all day and every day. God bless you dear Jacob. And a big hug. Thank You On behalf of the family, we would like to express our gratitude for your many acts of kindness: cards, food, flowers, car rides, visits to Jake. We extend our sincere thanks to Dana, Darren, and Bayley for their excellent professional help, as well as their personal touch. We really appreciated your support. Thank you to all who supported us and helped us today and during this trying period, and a very appreciative thanks to Dale and Judy for their constant help day or night. Also a special thanks to the Palliative Care nurses and hospital staff, and the Home Care nurses and staff, for your care and support. You have all been so helpful. Thank you for your attendance today.
