ALEXANDER ‘ALEX’ KERELIUK
Alexander “Alex” Kereliuk passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 at his home at 831 Armit Ave. in Fort Frances, Ont.
Delivered by his Grandmother Wepruk at their home near Sundown, Man. on Nov. 14, 1944, he was the second child of John and “Katie” Kereliuk, and the long-awaited little brother to sister Helen.
When he was two weeks old, the family left their small farm and travelled by rail to a farm in Stratton, Ont. After two years, the family moved again to literally the end of the road in North Branch, where his father ran a logging business.
When he was six years of age, his parents built a country store at the corner of the Off Lake junction and he started attending a one-room school, then an amalgamated one in Finland. Sister and brother both clerked in the family store, this being the beginning of his love of business.
Boarding with Paddy and Dorothy Ryan, Alex attended Fort Frances High School, where he considered himself “cool” driving his ’56 Chevy. After several years, reality set in and he soon was logging and hauling pulpwood, along with his father, to the paper mill.
In September, 1963, he was united in marriage to Catherine Clemenger and they were blessed with two sons, Shawn and Gary. Moving to Dryden, Ont., they, along with friends Keith and Rene Hyatt, opened the first Aroma Pizza.
In 1973, the couple took sole proprietorship until 1980, when the business was sold.
In 1986, Alex and his sister, Helen, purchased and operated the business for another two years. After that, he returned to log on the family bush lots until his first heart attack in 1996.
He returned to business, opening an arcade, photo glazing business, and then Leisure Time Pool and Spa with the late Russ King.
In the past few years, Alex drove tourists for North Air to and from the resorts and airports. It was the perfect occupation for him as he loved to regale them with his slightly exaggerated stories and wit.
In his earlier years, Alex enjoyed water sports, curling, boating, and fishing, being “The Great Provider” although his sister, much to his chagrin, usually outfished him. He also spent a good deal of time and thoroughly enjoyed “camp” and the cabin on Tupman.
He enjoyed vegetable gardening through plastic (no weeds to pull), saying, “You can’t eat flowers!”
Alex was predeceased by his father, John Kereliuk on April 1, 1980, and his mother, Kataryna “Kate” Kereliuk on June 12, 1993.
He is survived by his sons, Shawn (Terri-Anne) and grandsons, Jonathon and Matthew, and Gary of Dryden, Ont.; his only sister, Helen (Les) Pattison of Fort Frances, Ont.; nephew, Thomas (Heather) Huitika and their daughter, Kelsey, of Brentwood Bay, B.C., Karen (Michael) Pearson of Houston, Tex., and Tracy (Brinder Bains) Huitika of Vancouver, B.C.
Also surviving are special friends, cousin Murray Wepruk of Fort Frances, Ont. and Reino Huitika of Dryden, Ont. (what stories they can tell); as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Nugent for his compassion and care of Alex.
Cremation has taken place and respecting his wishes, no formal service will take place. Instead, there was a celebration of Alex’s life on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008 from 2-4 p.m. at the Fort Frances Legion.
“Thank you for our time together.”
In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Balmoral Park Place, 920 Tungsten St., Thunder Bay, Ont., P7B 5Z6 or the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario, 920 Frenette Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3N4.
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