John Orest Hrushka passed away on Saturday, June 3, 2017 in Grande Prairie, AB, at the age of 80 years.

John was born on December 17, 1936 in the Royce District, Hines Creek, AB, to Nick and Mary Hrushka. He was the third of six children. John stayed in the Royce area where he grew up and attended the Lubec School until grade 8. His schooling consisted of correspondence classes and included a few memorable moments with Joe Loxerkamp sneaking a smoke or two.

John eventually married and started his own family on a farm a few miles from his birth place. John was primarily a grain farmer, but also had an immense amount of challis cattle. John purchased a Tenessee Walking horse which he rode herding cattle from the farm to the pasture. He truly loved farming.

John started trucking with a gravel truck that he bought from Orest Frykas. In 1963, he drove for Nichols Transport, hauling propane to Hay River. He continued his career driving for his brother Syl, and found a talent in his skills for cat skinning, working for a variety of constructions companies, some of which were Donnie King Construction, Brandl Construction, Red Earth Construction, and Macmillan Construction. He was a master cat skinner with an excellent eye for the grade and an uncanny ability to fine touch the finishings. When the Alberta oil boom excelled, John worked with his brother Bill. John finished his last years working at Zavisha Sawmill in Hines Creek.

John’s last place of residence was a small but cozy home in Hines Creek, where he enjoyed his HUGE garden, his sheds (that he built with his own two hands), wood splitting, visits from his daughters and their families, and all the memorable moments with his grandchildren.

In May 2012, John’s health turned with his inability to deal with his dementia. It took him from his home to reside in Grande Prairie to be closer to his girls.

John is survived by his four daughters: Sharlyn, Melody (Blaine), Andrea (Dwayne), and Renee (Barry); 11 grandchildren: Dallas, Kyle, Brandi, Courtney, Cody, Desmond, Jessica, Kasey, Brittany, Alexa, and Brooke; 6 great-grandchildren: Alekzander, Isabella, Wesley, Zayne, Reilly, and Nixon; brothers: Bill and Syl; sister Nagia; loved like a son Neil, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

John was predeceased by his father Nick, mother Mary, brother Mike, brother Maurice, and grandson Blake.

John’s 80 years were like the feathers of a peacock: vibrant and beautiful, and sometimes seen when riled. He was a hard working man with an immense amount of pride in his work and family. John tried for a boy, however, being blessed with four daughters didn’t stop him from naming his “boy” Renee anyhow (despite her being another beautiful blue eyed baby girl).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2017, at 1:00pm, at All Saints Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hines Creek, AB. Burial to follow at St. Peter & St. Paul Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Royce, AB.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and NWT (102, 9823 116 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 4B4).