William Kolody Obituary
Published by Legacy Remembers on Apr. 20, 2005.
William (Bill) Kolody 1905 2005 William (Bill) Kolody passed away gently in his sleep, Sunday evening, April 17, 2005 at his residence, Sherbrooke Community Centre. Bill will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his family, daughter Anne (Brian) Craggs of Saskatoon and daughterin-law Madeline Kolody of Sylvan Lake, AB. Also mourning his loss are seven grandchildren, Brad Kolody (Lisa) of Prince Albert, SK, Ron Kolody of Calgary, AB, Jeff (Katherine) Kolody of Saskatoon, SK, Tracie Kolody of Calgary, AB, Trevor (Laura) Kolody of Sylvan Lake, AB, Michael (Jana) Craggs and Megan Craggs of Saskatoon, SK; and 14 great-grandchildren. Bill was predeceased by his wife, Mary in 1992; son, Steve in 1985; and his parents, Simeon and Anna, three brothers and three sisters in Poland. Bill was born on January 15, 1905 in Pozdziacz, Galicia in what is now Poland. He was the first person to turn 100 in Saskatoon this year and was very proud to share a birthday with his adopted province. Two days before he died, he celebrated this achievement by being presented with the Saskatchewan Centennial medal by his MLA and Riversdale neighbour, Premier Lorne Calvert. Bill immigrated to Canada in 1929, just in time to meet the challenge of the Great Depression of the 1930's. He rode the rails for the next several years, picking up work where it was available, on farms, on the railroad and in logging camps in Alberta. In 1933, he married Mary, a pert and lively kitchen worker at the Ritz Cafe in Saskatoon and after a brief stint on an onion farm in Leamington, ON, Bill and Mary and their son, Steve, returned to settle down in Saskatoon in 1937. Bill was a natural learner all his life with an ability to master whatever task he took on. Honest, hardworking and dedicated, Bill never felt a job was done until it was done well. In the 1940's he began work as a house painter and this became his career and life for the next 40 years. Bill excelled at wood finishing and wood working and many a house built in the Grosvenor Park, Greystone and Preston areas in the 1950's and 1960's was enriched by the touch of his brush. Family came first to Bill and he would willingly give of his time, his advice and his expertise to help and inspire his children and grandchildren. He was always available to stitch up or hem a pair of jeans, resole or repair shoes, or refinish and restore the luster of a once derelict cabinet. He had an innate colour sense and could mix any desired paint palette for a house with nothing more than his eyes as a guide. In his later years, he loved to share and tell stories about his life. Shortly following his 100th birthday, he resolved to write a book called From Nine to Ninety-Nine because, as he said, he couldn't remember enough before nine years of age and he was still living his 100th year. Bill lived as he died, simply and with dignity. In his own words, he died walking, looking ahead and planning for the future. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Saskatchewan Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of the donor's choice. Viewing will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Jack Carr officiating. Both services will be held at Park Funeral Chapel (311 Third Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK). Interment will take place in Woodlawn Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are in care of Derryl Hildebrandt of Park Funeral Chapel, 244-2103.