William Guydash, resident of Crossfield, AB, passed away on Friday, July 26, 2019, at the Didsbury Hospital at the age of 96 years.
William was born August 28, 1922, in Repid, Poland. He travelled by ship, called "The Montrose" from Danzig to Liverpool, England, then from England to Halifax, with his mother Mary and brother Matt, at the age of 7.
He travelled to meet his dad Peter by train to the Volin area of northern Alberta, where 160 acres of land had been purchased for ten dollars. There was lots of work on the farms, from cutting brush, root picking, stooking, and making hay. Times were hard and at the age of 21 he broke his own land with his Massey Harris tractor.
In May 1950, William and Anne married and in 1951, they had their first daughter Rosemarie. Two years later, his son Clarence was born and nine years later, Donna. They moved from Volin to the Woking, AB, area and farmed until 1980. He retired in Kelowna, BC, and lived there for 32 years before moving to Airdrie, AB, in 2012 to be closer to family.
William's passions were playing the violin, which he did from the age of 14, for many dances, anniversaries, weddings and house warming parties in the Rycroft area. Then with the BC Fiddlers Kelowna Branch for 32 years, through to the age of 96 at Crossfield Senior Lodge during birthday parties. He was a strong, caring man, who in his quiet way helped and listened to anyone who asked.
William is survived and will be fondly remembered by his wife Anne; his children: Rosemarie (Joe) Samulenok, Clarence (Olga) Guydash and Donna (Steve) Blaskovits; sister Nellie; grandchildren: Andrew, Nicholas, Danielle, Brittany and Cole; as well as great-grandchildren: Jase, Gage, Seth, and Brantley.
William was predeceased by his brother Matt, and sister Anne.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2019, at 11 am at Oliver's Funeral Home in Grande Prairie (10005 107 Ave.).
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the B.C. Old Time Fiddlers Association-Kelowna Branch (P.O. Box 20111 TCM, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 9H2) in William's name.
Condolences may be sent by visiting Oliver's Funeral Home.
