Sam Dzuba Sam Dzuba passed away on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 in Estevan at the age of 90 years. Sam was the youngest of seven children of Ukrainian immigrants, Dmytro and Annie Dzuba. His three older siblings, Pete, Edna and Bill were also born in the Ukraine before the family moved to Canada 1913. Then, John, Mary, Mike and Sam were born in Canada. Sam was the last surviving member of that family and so now the Dzuba name continues on in the grandsons and their families. The Dzuba family lived most of their life in Dzuba's Valley, near the Taylorton mine site. Right from a young boy, coal mining was an integral part of life for Sam. His father was a coal miner so Sam left Taylorton School with only a few years of education to work alongside his father in the mines. He started out helping his dad with timbering in Taylorton mine. As he grew older, he continued to work alongside his dad and brothers at the same mine. He moved on to work in other underground mines in the area - Western Dominion Mine and Banks Mine until he started at the Dominion Briquette and Chemical in 1945. There also were years when the demand for coal was low and mining jobs were scarce, where he would work threshing in the fall for farmers. He also worked with his dad in various projects in the area, like working on the PFRA fence and digging water pipelines. He applied to go to war, but was denied because, by that time, coal was needed for the war effort and the country needed coal miners. At the Briquette Plant, Sam started out as a gasman that ran the carbonizers and he played a big role in the miners' union in trying to get better contracts for the employees of the Briquette Plant. Then he moved into foreman's position, and finally, worked as superintendent of the Char Division of Luscar Coal. He retired in 1983 but continued to consult for a couple of years after that. Sam married Mary Kolenz in 1944 and their family began soon after. They had five children in all - Dwain, Valery, Lee, Jack and Dallas. Sam and Mary lived for a short while with Sam's parents, and then moved to live at the Taylorton Store. Next they lived at the Banks' mine and then the Briquette Plant town site. They moved to various houses there, until 1965, when they bought the property on the south side of Bienfait and built the house that Sam and Mary continued to live in until their passing. They enjoyed 67 years of married life before Mary's passing. Intense labour was the order of the day. Sam grew up working hard, continuing to do so throughout life. He built up the acreage by Bienfait from next to nothing, to a well-maintained property with many buildings and trees. He had help - his boys. He, in turn, though, helped each of his boys build their own homes. On the lighter side of life, Sam enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his life. Sam hunted birds and deer to provide for the family as well as for enjoyment. Sam and Mary would often take their kids to Roche Percee Park for picnics. They had a cabin at Kenosee Lake for several years, which was a retreat and a place for the family to enjoy. Later in life he and Mary travelled to various lakes in northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba for camping and fishing. He appreciated the scenery of the Souris Valley and enjoyed collecting history of the valley and coal mining in the area. He did not like too much fuss over special events, but tolerated the family's needs to celebrate events; most recently his 90th birthday last January. Throughout the years, he and Mary often gathered with many family members for a rousing game of cards, mostly playing Hola. He enjoyed watching July 1st parades, listening to the Carter Family and other old-time music, seeing the grandchildren and keeping up with their lives. Sam had a passion for vehicles. Imagine, through the years, where Sam started with a few old Model As and Ts, to where he bought his first new car, a 1958 Pontiac, and many more cars, trucks, campers to follow. He also had snowmobiles and later, quads, which he rode until very recently. With Sam's passing, we have now lost a part of the history of the coal mining in this area, but we have also lost a man who worked hard to make a living and a good life for his family. He meant something special to each one of us in our own way. Whether it was to teach us how to build or fix, how to hunt or fish, or how to appreciate life and do our best, Sam is in a little bit of each of us. Sam is survived by sons, Dwain (Pat), Roche Percee; Lee (Bernice), Estevan; Jack, Bienfait; Dallas (Lori), Bienfait and daughter, Valery (George) Kirbyson, Surrey, B.C.; 14 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by wife, Mary; parents, Dmytro and Annie Dzuba; brothers, Peter, Bill, John, and Mike; sisters, Edna Fedyk and Mary Oszust; daughter-in-law, Janet Dzuba. Funeral Service was held at 2:00 p.m. on July 20, 2012 at St. Paul's United Church, Estevan with Rev. Brenna Nickel officiating. Interment followed in the Bienfait Cemetery. If friends so desire donations may be given to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency in memory of Sam Dzuba. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan. Thank you The family would like to thank Dr. Sheikh and the staff of St. Joseph's Hospital for Sam's care during his stay at the hospital. Thank you to the staff of Hall Funeral Services and Reverend Brenna Nickel of St. Paul's United Church for their support during this difficult time. Thank you to all those who helped at the Bienfait Legion for the lovely luncheon. We also appreciate all the thoughtful expressions of sympathy and support from friends and relatives. - From the family of Sam Dzuba
