Mr. Mike Lackmanec entered eternal rest at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre on January 9, 2018 at the age of 91. Mike was born on August 3, 1926 in the Whitesand District to Nick and Mary (Senkiw) Lackmanec. He grew up on the family farm and attended Beblo School. After completing his education, he left home and worked for area farmers Frank and Peter LeSann. Mike, his brother John, Peter Shumay, John Popowich and Matt and Jack Shumay took a train ride to find employment in a bush camp in Northern Ontario. It was quite an adventure as work was hard. There were no chainsaws as all work was done by handsaws and axe. Matt, Jack and brother John decided to leave the camp and went to work in Hudson Bay, SK. Mike, Peter and John Popowich toughed it out and said they made good money. It was difficult to find work in Saskatchewan, so as the saying goes "Go East Young Man, Go East" to find good paying jobs. In 1946, John caught a ride with Mike and Pauline Kolisnek to Sudbury to find employment. Two years later, Mike left for Sudbury and found employment in the Big Nickel Mine. He made Sudbury his home. He also spent time with brother John and Therese and their children. He enjoyed attending Sudbury Wolves hockey game and made a few trips to Toronto to watch his favourite Maple Leafs. After 32 years in the mining industry, he retired and moved to Saskatchewan in 1982. He lived on an acreage nearby his brother Joe. He also bought a quarter of land from a local farmer. He enjoyed fishing with his brother-in-law Willie Neudorf. He also went hunting and curled in Springside. In 1984 he purchased his first home in Yorkton. He took great pride in looking after his home and yard. He enjoyed his daily walk to the Parkland Mall and meeting up with his coffee friends. He enjoyed bowling which provided him with many hours of entertainment. He regularly attended Yorkton Terrier and Yorkton Cardinal games. Mike was a devoted member of St. Mary's Church and his faith was always a core part of his life. He was an active member of the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood. Mike was an avid fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Blue Jays and Saskatchewan Roughriders. Mike was pre-deceased by his parents, his sisters; Kay Panchuk, Ann Neudorf, Pauline Spelay, Olga Lackmanec, Margaret Raina and Elizabeth Lackmanec and brother John. He leaves to mourn his sisters; Donna Glute of Toronto, Lillian and Cecile, Saskatoon, Irene (Peter) Kobylka, Yorkton and Adel (Paul) Kovacs, Los Angeles and brothers; Daniel (Vicki), Calgary and Joe, Springside. Also, numerous nephews and nieces and friends. The Funeral Liturgy was held on Monday, January 15, 2018 at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton with Very Rev. Father Bohdan Lukie, C.Ss.R. as the Celebrant. The responses were led by Ed Pindus and members of the parish choir. The cross bearers were Layton & Aiden Kobylka and the epistle reader was Julie Lackmanec. Members of the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood participated in an Honour Guard. A violin solo, "Amazing Grace" was played by Peter Kobylka. The interment followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Dennis Spelay, Jerry Coben, Jerry Kobylka, Michael Lackmanec, Brian Kobylka and Celia Patrician serving as the casket bearers. Words of remembrance and appreciation were shared by Dave Spelay and Dan Lackmanec. Memorials in memory of Mike may be made to St. Mary's Church as gifts of remembrance. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com.
