Obituary of Dick Uniat
UNIAT, Dick
December 25, 1916 – October 4, 2017
Dick Uniat of Vegreville, Alberta died peacefully in his sleep on October 4, 2017 at the age of 100 years. He was born on December 25, 1916 at his parents’ homestead north of Innisfree and married Marie (nee Chapelsky) on June 16, 1945.
Dick had a passion for sports, especially hockey and fastball. He was also an enthusiastic card player and had a green thumb for vegetable gardening.
Dick managed at first one, then all three grain elevators at Beauvallon. Along with his wife of 71 years, they also ran the General Store from 1946 to 1977. He joined the military in 1941. Dick was active in community events and, with his wife, hosted the concession at all the Beauvallon Sports Days.
Dick was predeceased by his wife, Marie on December 27, 2016. He is survived by their three children: Emil (Bonnie), Linda, and Ernie (Heather); six grandchildren: Tarah (Dustin) Sawchuk, Jordanna (Danny) Benkowich, Travis (Marlee) Uniat, Damon (Rachel) Uniat, Brett (Kendra) Uniat and Lindsey Uniat; four great-grandchildren: Isla Benkowich, Jake Benkowich, Amira Sawchuk, and Nora Jane Uniat; and one surviving brother : Philip Uniat.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Heritage House, the nursing staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and Drs. David Strydom and Pieter Labuschagne at Vegreville.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Dick’s life will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Autumn Rose Funeral Home in Vegreville, Alberta with Reverend Carolyn Woodall officiating. Inurnment to follow at Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to honour Dick may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta (www.alzheimer.ca/en)
