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Vol. 13, No. 31, Wednesday May 30, 2018 www.LamontLeader.com
Lamont community leader, long-time Mayor Fred Pewarchuk passes away JOHN MATHER Lamont lost a long time community leader with the passing of Fred Pewarchuk on May 21 at the age of 82. He was first elected as a councillor in Lamont from 1969 to 1971 and then became Mayor in 1995 and served until 2007. “I worked closely with Fred,” said Lamont CAO Sandi Maschmeyer. “I was the office manager back then.” Mayor Bill Skinner added he had been fortunate enough to spend his first three terms as a councillor learning from Pewarchuk. “I learned a huge amount from him,” said Skinner. Fred was born in Lamont and attended high school in the town, said his son Douglas. “He grew up on the family farm and then went to Edmonton to study and work,” said Doug. He met his wife Lidy while in Edmonton. “When I was just a young boy,” added Doug. “The family moved back to Lamont in the 1960s.” Right from the start, he adds, his father was involved in the community. “He was a member of the agricultural society. When they put up the arena and hall in the 70s he was involved with that.”
Runner attacked by bison at EINP
He went on to say his dad, an avid curler, was involved in the Lamont curling scene when the club was located by Archer Memorial Hospital and when the club moved to its current facility. He was also involved in the Elk Island Golf Club. “We used to have wiener roasts and hot dogs out at the park for all the volunteers,” remembered Doug. “Then we’d have a few rounds of golf. I’m not sure if he ever won low net but he sure enjoyed his golf.” Fred was involved in every aspect of the town. “Once he ran for mayor, he really enjoyed that,” added Doug. “Being a mayor of the small town isn’t a lot to live on, but it’s very involved and there’s always a lot to do.” After leaving office, he continued sitting on the community futures board. Pewarchuk was politically involved in the provincial and federal political scene. “I remember we’d go to all the BBQs when Don Mazankowski was our MP,” said Doug. “And then he helped Ed Stelmach when he was both MLA and Premier. He served as the president of the provincial constituency association for a while.”
MAUREEN SULLIVAN Craig Nielsen was enjoying an early morning run in Elk Island National Park when he was attacked by a bison. Nielsen and his pregnant wife were camping at Astotin Lake Campground over the long weekend, when he
decided to go for a run on Saturday, May 19. He was returning to the campsite when he stumbled across a lone bison grazing near the road. "Right after I stopped running and after I saw him, he looked up, saw me and immediately
“He always tried to make the town and province a better place to live.” Doug admits his father’s political career helped him make the decision to run for council. “We didn’t really see eye to eye on every issue, but it’s a great way to give back,” Doug said. “In fact the first time I ran for council was when dad ran and lost for Mayor - his last term. There were two Pewarchuks’ on the ballot and we both lost.” He is now serving his second term as a councillor. Doug added his dad and mom were really involved with the Russian Orthodox Church. “We have a church in Chipman which my grandfather helped build,” said Doug. “All through his later life mom and dad were in the choir and they travelled through the various small communities with the priests.” They’d help out, Doug added, maintaining the priests’ home in Lamont and the family would always do their best to make any new priests welcome in the community. “As a family we were really touched that the Bishop attended his service on Friday,” he added, choking up. “I’m sure dad would have been really happy having three priests and the charged," says Nielsen. Terrified he saw a cluster of trees past the ditch and began to run. "But as I started to run, I slipped and fell." The marathoner tried to get up but the bison struck him in the rear with his horns and lifted him into the air.
Fred Pewarchuk bishop in attendance.” Fred worked as an electrician working at the various plants in the area and running his own electrical business. He finished his career as an instructor at NAIT retiring in the 1990s. In addition to serving the community as an elected official, Pewarchuk had many years with the local Lions Club. He was currently serving as the club’s Lion Tamer and also called Bingo games for both the Lions and the local seniors club. He left his wife of 60 years Lidy, two sons, Fraser and Douglas and five grandchildren.
Nielson landed in the trees, which were so thick the large bison couldn’t continue his charge. Checking the extent of his injuries, he felt a whole in his shorts, a flap of skin and a whole lot of blood. Having lost his cell-
phone in the incident, Nielsen flagged down a passing car who had stopped to see the bison. The motorists drove him to help and he received six stitches. There have only been two bison attacks at EINP in the past six years.