2 minute read
Orest Fodchuk Celebrates 100th Birthday
Orest Fodchuk Celebrates 100th Birthday
Bev McCarty - Submitted
On Saturday, July 8, 2023, family and friends gathered at the Elk’s Hall to help Orest celebrate his 100th birthday. The hall was beautifully decorated and bouquets from Jo-Anne Fried and Barbara MacDonald’s flower gardens adorned each table. A delicious meal was prepared by Diane Fausak catering and following the meal Bev McCarty gave a toast to her dad.
Orest had a speech prepared in which he talked about his history. He mentioned his grandparents and how they came to Canada with Peter Svarich and eventually settled in the Vegreville area. He told us that he farmed with his father and how they bought their first tractor through the Wartime Prices and Trade Board. He talked about working in a lumber camp during the winter and that his wages were $125 a month. He continued farming and in 1960 he married widow Alice Mills with four young girls, and took over the family farm.
Orest maintained that he did not let the farm dictate his community involvement nor his social life. He was active as a pitcher with the Eastline Transfer ball team, a director on the Alberta Wheat Pool as well as the Vegreville Exhibition Board and a director on the Rural Fire Association. He was also a steward of the United Church and a 4-H Beef Leader. He joined the Elk’s in 1950 and has been their longest acting member at 73 years.
Orest talked about travelling with his wife Alice, including trips to Australia, New Zealand, China, South America, the Scandinavian countries, as well as most of Europe. The only continent not visited was Antartica.
Orest is still involved in an active life by keeping up with world affairs, daily exercises at Heritage House and involvement with other residents by playing his music CD’s on special occasions.
