Anthony Charles Ostapowich

Anthony Charles Ostapowich, age 92, of Saskatoon (formerly of Wynyard) passed away Saturday April 4, 2026 at Royal University Hospital from complications of heart disease.

Anthony known as Tony was born and raised on a farm seven miles southeast of Wynyard on May 2, 1933; the youngest of five children. His parents were Frank and Julia (Halarewich) Ostapowich.  Tony loved farming and expanded the original homestead, raising grain and livestock for his entire working life.

He was a dedicated family man. He married Marguerite Eggertson Nov 21, 1956, and they were soon blessed with Deborah, Oddny, Mark and Grant. Mom Marguerite became ill with Leukemia while the children were small, and tragically passed away Oct 10, 1963 at age 26, leaving Tony with four children under the age of six, an unfinished harvest, and a broken heart.

The children spent some time with relatives and a considerable amount of time with Baba Julia and Gedo George Dmytruk prior to their mothers passing and afterwards - where they remained for a number of months until Tony gathered his children together again.

On one sunny happy day Tony met Rose and they began a very fast evolving relationship...it was love at first sight! They dated for a short time before deciding they belonged together and soon were married. She stepped into the many responsibilities of a mixed farm with four small children to care for, which she did lovingly.

The children were involved in farming with 4-H cattle, milk cows, selling cream, cutting and wrapping their own beef, pigs and helping raise chickens and sheep - in addition to learning the grain operation.  Tony was a detail-oriented man with high expectations of himself and his family.

At the center of so many cherished memories stands the farmhouse.  Families would arrive with suitcases in hand. It wasn't just a house-it was the place. The place where laughter echoed through the walls, where meals were shared around a full table, and where generations gathered, year after year. Whether it was holidays, summer evenings, or simple Sunday visits, his home was where we found comfort, connection, and belonging.

Christmas at the farmhouse was especially magical. After the lavish Christmas dinners, the tables would be cleared for long evenings, laughter-filled 3 spot game nights that brought out everyone's competitive spirit and joy. And when the evenings slowed, movie nights would begin-blankets spread across the floor as the grandkids made cozy beds everywhere, surrounded by warmth, love, and the comfort of being together under one roof.

That farmhouse became a symbol of his love-steady, warm, and always there.

Tony and Rose's farm was a stopping place for many family members, friends and neighbors over the years, where folks were welcomed in for coffee and a meal no matter what day or even what time it was. Their hospitality was well known, and in later years became the basis for hosting American hunters who came annually for the wild geese and ducks that populated the flyway over the Quill Lakes area.

The farm was also a home to John Burbat and Terry "Gooch" Melnyk , hired men of many years, and was a temporary home to three international exchange students through the organization ASSE. All three students stayed for a year each: Martin from Ostenbruck (91), Andreas from Frankfurt (92), and Kay from Weimar (93). These young men attended School in Wynyard, learned aspects of the farm, and became Tony and Rose's "German sons". 

Tony retired from farming after 50 years, in 2006 at the age of 73. Tony and Rose lived in Wynyard for ten years, enjoying gatherings with friends, and then moved to the Rosewood area of Saskatoon in 2013 to be closer to the family.  Tony and Rose enjoyed many visitors at their home.

Tony was a perfectionist, which was evident in his wood working, mechanical skills, welding, and garage & tool organization. Perhaps most unique was his propensity to ask thoughtful questions - having an insatiable curiosity about life and about people. In his retirement, he loved to watch Judge Judy and question the characters from his armchair.

Anthony is survived by his dedicated and loving wife of 62 years, Rose, and his three surviving children: Deborah, Oddny, and Grant (Paula); and grandchildren Tony, Shyla, Gunnar (Melissa), Jynylle, Joshua, and Jessica (Landon), as well as their great grandchildren Vanz, Scarlett, Oscar, Sophia, Kali, Leila, Nash, Leah and Kip.

He was predeceased by Marguerite, his loving first wife, his son Mark, his parents Frank and Julia, stepfather George and his siblings Rosie (in infancy), Joe, Helen, and Frances.

The family would like to thank the Medical and Nursing staff of unit 5200 at Royal University Hospital for Tony's care. Thanks also to the many wonderful family and friends who have visited the home and "their" room at RUH.

There will be a Funeral will be held at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, April 11 at 1:00pm (307 4 St W, Wynyard, SK)

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tony's memory to the Heart and Stroke foundation. Heart-and-stroke-foundation-of-Canada Charity Profile/Donate online.