Mathew (Matt) Antoniw

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Matt Antoniw on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at the Russell Health Centre.

Matt was born on January 2, 1929 to parents Andrew and Frances (Maydaniuk). He was the eighth of eleven children and raised on the family homestead in the RM of Rossburn. He attended Hranko and Perch School to the age of fourteen, when he took on what would be his life long occupation, farming, alongside his father. In his early twenties, he worked one winter at the Barrhead Lumber Camp in Alberta, before returning to Manitoba and settling on the farm he would later purchase from his Dad.

He married his soulmate Marion Gumieny on October 29, 1957 and together raised four children on the same farm as he grew up on.  He dedicated his life to working on the farm and providing for his family. He enjoyed hunting, trapping and fishing as past times. When the weather turned colder, the cards came out and many Canasta games were played.

Matt was always a dedicated friend and neighbor.  He would help anyone that was in need and always made time for those that dropped by for a visit. He treasured the many visits from his children and grandchildren, never too busy to have them follow him around and help him out with whatever he was doing. He was so proud of each of them. Matt was a life-long member of the Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church and sang in the church choir alongside his wife, children, brothers and other community members of the faith.

In 2000, Matt and Marion made the difficult decision to sell the family farm to a family from Austria and move into town. New to Canada and the ways of farming here, Matt still took daily trips to the farm to help the new owners out for several months.  Always loving the outdoors, his attention turned to tending to the flowers and vegetable gardens and yard work, things he enjoyed but never had enough time for on the farm. He got Mom interested in fishing and together they would spend time at the lakes casting their lines.

Dad always looked forward to the large family gatherings at their home for Christmas, Easter, birthdays and any other times where all of the family could make it home.  In 2007, Dad and Mom celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.  Living their entire lives in the same community made for a very easy decision that this celebration was to include as many family members and friends as possible. It was a memorable evening that gave them great joy and appreciation to be surrounded by so many special people they called great friends.

Matt was predeceased by his parents, Andrew and Frances; brothers, Mike, Joe, John; sisters, Elsie, Ann, Helen, Pauline, Zelma.

Leaving behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 63 years, Marion, children Frances (Bud Fenty), Alan (Gretchen), Jo-Ann, Kim (Glenn Zegers), eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, as well as brothers Harry (Jean), Walter (Kathy) and many nieces and nephews.

Vichnaya Pamyat!