Tedor (Ted) J. Hnatiuk, who brought laughter, wisdom, and wit into the lives of those around him, passed away peacefully at his home in Vancouver on a sunny morning in late July. His son, Steven, daughter-in-law Chiara, and his four grandchildren, Elizabeth, Maximilian, Katia, and Paulina will always cherish the many wonderful years shared with “Gido”. Ted embraced the final 25 years of his life with much love, laughter, and pride for the family he was part of and able to see grow. Being “Gido” – Ukrainian for grandfather – was Ted’s greatest joy.

Ted was born in Wakaw, Saskatchewan, the first son of depression-era prairie entrepreneurs and general store operators William and Helen (Balon) Hnatiuk. Ted’s childhood was spent working in his parent’s general stores – first in Bonne Madone, then St. Benedict, and later Humboldt. Ted left home in his mid-teens and went to work in the mines and industrial sites of northern Manitoba, Ontario, and British Columbia. “Put a shovel in my hands and I’ll show you what I can do” Ted would simply say with a smile when asked about the hard life as a northern miner. A humble determination to earn his way in the world defined Ted for all his days.

In his twenties, Ted left the life of the north with his savings and his work ethic and began his journey as an entrepreneur. Always seeking opportunity, Ted was prepared to take risks, work tirelessly to turn dreams into reality, and he accepted the results - good or bad – with humility. His entrepreneurial passions were diverse, spanning decades. Ted was an owner, operator, and builder of hotels and ‘beverage room’ establishments in Saskatoon and surrounding communities, owned apartment buildings and farmland, built a carpet business, had mining exploration ventures in the desert mountains of New Mexico, and was active in several ventures in the San Francisco Bay area including clothing manufacturing, automotive businesses, and the pursuit of alternative energy and transportation innovation decades ahead of its time.

Ted was married for twenty years to Sharon Link, and together they raised their son, Steven, and retired to Kelowna, before taking separate paths in their later years. Ted loved to dance, loved beautiful cars - of which he had many over the years, learned to fly planes, and loved interesting conversation with people from all walks of life. He loved auctions and collecting antiques – especially rare mustache cups and shaving mugs. A man of contrasts – Ted had a caring and calming influence on others but was fiercely determined and independent; he strove for success but would put his own priorities aside to help the underdog; he was personally thrifty but gave generously to others; he loved being fully engaged with people yet was equally as happy alone and contemplative; he was a spiritual man but found his church in places other than a regular Sunday service. He would return to the solitude of his cabin on a lake in northern Saskatchewan for months on end each summer, a place he described as his sanctuary. He lived at the edge of Stanley Park in Vancouver, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and walked for miles every day in the community he loved and called home for more than 25 years.

Ted leaves behind a family who loved him immeasurably - his son, Steven, daughter-in-law Chiara, and grandchildren Elizabeth (Lizzie), Maximilian (Max), Katia, and Paulina - all of Vancouver. Ted is also survived by his younger brother, Garry, of Saskatoon, two nephews Shawn and Andrew Hnatiuk, and by many extended family members on branches of the Hnatiuk, Balon, and Popiel family trees. Ted celebrated his 78th birthday at a family reunion near Wakaw Saskatchewan a few short weeks before his passing. With his children and grandchildren around him, Ted returned to visit the places, people, and memories of his younger years one last time – passing along stories and laughter, sharing it all with those he loved. It was very much like him to quietly find the inner strength for one last push to be there with his family - his final gift to those he loved.

Ted’s ever present wit, gentlemanly manner, and humble wisdom will be missed by all those whose lives he touched.

A celebration of Ted’s life is being held at 10am, September 14th, 2018 at Mountain View Cemetery Celebration Hall in Vancouver. Fr. Robert Smith, OMI, of Saint Augustine’s Parish in Vancouver, officiating.