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View Tree for Steve FilewichSteve Filewich (b. Feb 28, 1913, d. Jan 05, 1998)

Steve Filewich (son of Dmytro Filewich and Sophie Shasko) was born Feb 28, 1913 in Wroxton SK, and died Jan 05, 1998 in Roblin, MB. He married Catherine NELLIE Torowsky.

 Includes NotesNotes for Steve Filewich:
After Steve and Nellie were married they took over and agreed to buy two quarters of land that Dmytro had bought from the government. There were no buildings on the land so they lived with Nellie's parents for the winter. They moved a granary from Dmytro's farm in the spring and lived in it while both dads helped them build a two room house. Nellie's parents gave them stock and chickens to get started. Steve gave up one of the two quarters back to the government to make the payment lighter. They kept the quarter with the buildings and the 33 acres Steve and Mike had broken the previous year. Later Steve bought another quarter from Sam Kosma for $390.00, and another from the Martiniuk’s.

In 1951 they bought 80 acres with buildings close to Roblin and moved there so the girls could go to a larger school. In 1967 they built a new house as a centennial project. They continued to farm the north lands as well as have stock and chickens near town. They continued to farm the north lands until they sold the farms in 1973 a total of 35 years.

Steve was secretary for the Nova Zora School Board for eight years and trustee four years, and was a member of the Farmers Union prior to 1951.

Steve, wanting something to do decided to find work and was hired on by the Dept. of Highways, clearing and burning out the ditches along the highways. The next year he was hired on part time at the Roblin Forest Products as night watchman, cleaning around the saws and watching the fires in the stacks. A year later he moved to full time work and remained working at the mill until he retired in 1986. He did several different jobs including peeling, sharpening, and treating fence posts, re-sawing and planing lumber, and cleaning Hydro poles that had been burnt or recycled.

Steve enjoyed hunting and loved to tell stories about his experiences shooting bears, partridges (48 one morning), and ducks (12 in one shot). He also hunted deer, moose and elk frequently. In his early years he trapped muskrats, rabbits, mink, and coyotes.

Steve actively followed baseball, hockey, and CFL football with great interest. He has been a Ford products advocate and owner of five Ford vehicles since 1951.

Steve remembered his first day at school. Timber school was located about 2 ½ miles from their farm house. He was 7 years old. Victor Urbanski took Steve to school the first day. It was late in the fall. There was snow on the ground. The teacher, Mr. Lisowski place Steve in front of John Malayny. Lisowski was late charged with attempted murder after a shooting incident resulting from a domestic quarrel.

In 1995 the family held a "Filewich Family Reunion". The following write up was prepared for the local newspaper.

Eighty nine members of the Filewich family met in Roblin over the August long weekend. The family dinner and program was held at the Chicken Delight Hall on Saturday evening. The evening began at 5:00 P.M. with the registration and get acquainted cocktail hour. Father Kuska from St. Vlads College asked the blessing and extended a special blessing and congratulations to the families and to the organizing team of Joe Filewich, Pauline Urbanski, and Stephanie Wohlberg.

Everyone enjoyed a sumptuous roast beef dinner that was supplemented with cabbage rolls from Pauline Urbanski. Following the dinner, each family grouping was introduced. The Master of Ceremony chores were shared by Pauline Urbanski and Stephanie Wohlberg. Photo opportunities were set up and group pictures were taken.

Corsages were presented to the grandchildren of the late Kyrylo Filewich and his brother the late Mykyto Filewich. Of the fourteen children (seven sisters and seven brothers) of the late Dmytro and the late Sophie Filewich, formerly of the Zelena district, nine were in attendance: Steve (Nellie), Helen, and Paul Filewich, Mary (Mike) Menzul, and Irene (Bill) Pronyk all from Roblin; Metro (Maria) Filewich from Dryden; John Filewich from Red Lake, ON; and Pauline (Frank) Urbanski from Rennie, MB; Annie, wife of the late Harry Filewich, and Olga, wife of the late Peter Filewich, both of Simcoe. Absent was Kay (Don) Stratychuk of Winnipeg. Children of the late Michael and the late Annie Filewich formerly of Roblin, in attendance were: Charlie (Helen) and Joe (Janet) Filewich of Roblin; Polly Basaraba of Fort Frances. Omer, husband of the late Mary (nee Filewich) Ouellette was also present. Grandchildren of the late Mykyto Filewich, brother to Kyrylo, and children of the late Stefan, and Mary Felewich formerly of Elma, MB, were also present. They were Mike (Marie) Felewich, Phyllis (Larry) Fedorchuk, and Doreen (Arnie) Otto all of Winnipeg. Mary, wife of the late Stefan Felewich also accompanied the group from Winnipeg. Many of the children and grandchildren of the above families were also in attendance, traveling from as far away as Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Family pictures were on display. Wayne Wohlberg, who’s hobby is developing family trees, displayed the family genealogy chart showing eight generations and how each member fit into the family. He said they discovered another Filewich family in Alberta, that of Bishop Bill Filevich, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. Bishop Filevich who resides in Saskatoon has visited St. Vlads College on many occasions. So far, the two families have not been connected. Both families have had spelling changes. The variations include Felewich, Filewich, Filewych, Filewicz, and Filevich. The seven members of the Elma, MB, Filewich's’ were only recently connected to the Roblin clan. The Elma group who spell their name with an E, were never considered to be related. Both family’s grandfathers were brothers. The chart illustrated very clearly how these two families are connected.

The visiting and dancing continued throughout the evening. Sundays activities started with breakfast at the Chicken Delight Hall. Following the breakfast several options were available including a slow pitch ball game, swimming, playing horseshoes, playing golf, and a visit to the family homesteads, and the Zelena Cemetery. A golf tournament was organized by Charlie Filewich who also put up a trophy and several individual prizes. Sunday evening, the family gathered at Steve Filewich’s acreage a mile and a half north of Roblin.

A 40 ft long blue tent adorned the front lawn where the Farewell Bar-B-Q took place. A specially decorated carrot cake acknowledging Steve and Nellie Filewich on their 57th Wedding Anniversary was presented by their daughters Pat Innes of Regina and Stephanie Wohlberg of Saskatoon.

Steve Filewich, the oldest member of the families at eighty two years old, was extremely pleased with the whole event and said "it was well done". He is looking forward to the next reunion tentatively planned in five years. A good time was had by all.

Published in the Roblin Review, August 29, 1995 - prepared by son-in-law, Wayne Wohlberg

Steve passed away Jan. 5, 1998. Steve had just come in the house from feeding the dog. He had a drink of water then sat down in his chair. He called Baba for another drink and a heart pill which he took only when he felt short of wind. By the time she came with the pill he was out. The autopsy revealed that he had a massive heart aneurysm which the Doctor said would have cause instant death. He was 84. Steve and Nellie would have celebrated their 60th anniversary in the coming November.
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Eulogy for Steve Filewich - delivered by his grandson, Tim Wohlberg

Most of you knew Steve as a brother, friend, or coworker, but to me he was my Dido. He will always be remembered with great affection. He leaves many fond memories for his family and friends. I’m sure you’ll agree that seldom did you ever see him angry. He had very few complaints in life and each of you will remember him in your own special way.

I remember how he held small audiences' captive for hours with his hunting stories. One of my favorites was when Dido went elk hunting. He had spotted the place where the elk had bedded-down the night before, so he decided to sneak up to the place the next morning at first light. As he approached the place, he crept closer and began crawling underneath the low brush on his stomach. As he neared the edge of the underbrush, he peaked up to see if he could spot any animals. Low and behold… he had crept right under a standing elk…and was so close he couldn't’t even take aim. By the time he realized where he was, the animal jumped over him and the brush, and ran away.

Like so many of his hunting stories, each was explained with great detail and great expression. He could have been a Hollywood screen writer for Farley Mowat, the great animal and naturalist author.

My Dad and Uncle saw him as a private and independent person. He showed little emotion towards the events of the day. He carried out his own plans and was seldom swayed from his own beliefs. He always enjoyed catching up on the local news with visits to town and meeting at the post office or hardware store. He particularly enjoyed the many visits with his very close friend and neighbor, Armond Mailhot. Even Armond’s grandchildren would sneak over to eavesdrop on the conversations to listen to the stories being told.

Steve was a very curious person. He was always trying to get someone’s views and opinions about worldly events. He never stopped asking questions and never stopped learning until the day he left us. In fact, he kept a dictionary at his bedside for a handy reference when needed. His love for sports was evident every day. He knew the players, coaches, and schedules of most pro sports.
The first time he went to a football game in Regina, he was totally overwhelmed with the size of the field and the excitement of the renowned Saskatchewan Roughrider fans. Another occasion he was awestruck was when we traveled though the Rocky Mountains on the way to Seattle and Vancouver. He never realized how huge the mountains were, and how deep the canyons could be right off the edge of the road. It was one of the few trips he took outside of the province of Manitoba, and one he thoroughly enjoyed.

I know I could go on about more of Steve’s wonderful characteristics. Each of you has memories of him you’ll continue to cherish, but I’d like to leave you with mine.
My fondest memory was when I was 7. It was one of our regular visits to Roblin from Saskatoon We all sat down for a "light " afternoon snack that consisted of 8 types of perogies, kubasa, halopsti, chicken and a whole lot more. Typical, for when Baba, Mom, and Pat cooked together. I sat beside Dido at the table and loaded up my plate with perogies. Dido saw this and said, "I bet I can eat more perogies than you." Well, like any 7 year old, I was invincible and wanted most to beat Grandpa. We both started in.

He pushed me pretty hard at first, but I kept up, and by 13 or 14, I think he started to see me sweat. He showed a weakness… "I’m getting full," he said. Ah haaaaa! ! I’m going to win this, I thought. He finally stopped. He stopped at 19. I had to hit 20. Needless to say, after I finished, I went to lie down. Dido walked up to me and pulled out his big black wallet. With his huge hand he pulled out a 20 dollar bill and gave it to me. A dollar for every perogy I ate. I was too full to even say thanks. I beat Dido, but I paid the price. I was stuffed! I know he let me beat him… but that’s what grandpas are for.

Steve was a true Champion... "we love you and we’ll miss Dido".

One behalf of Baba, my Mom and Auntie Pat, and his brothers & sisters, I want to thank everyone for showing your sympathy and many acts love and support during this sorrowful time.
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The Prayer Vigil was held Jan. 8 and the Funeral Service was Friday Jan 9, 1998. Officiant Fr. Methodious Kushko. Casket bearers were: Garett & Tim Wohlberg, Perry Stratychuk, Frank Baronowski, Armand Mailhot, Patricia and Ross Innes. Internment was at Zelena, Greek Catholic Church Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given to the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church at Roblin. Lunch was served it the Hall. Nairn-Chyz Funeral Home: Director.
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More About Steve Filewich:
Burial: Unknown, Zelina.
Occup.: Farmer.

More About Steve Filewich and Catherine NELLIE Torowsky:
Private-Begin: Private

Children of Steve Filewich and Catherine NELLIE Torowsky are:
  1. +Stephanie Filewich.
  2. PATricia Darlene Filewich.
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