Obituary of Terry A. Hanewich

Terry passed away suddenly on May 15, 2020 at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary at the age of 67. He was born in Calgary on Feb. 6, 1953, the eldest son of Staffania and Alex Hanewich. Terry’s early years in Oyen were spent playing hockey, driving his motorcycle and helping his Grandpa Mike Hanewich around his old blacksmith shop and working on the farm after school. His early passion for music had him learning and playing guitar and drums. He played the drums for many start up bands and well established bands around Calgary including local jam sessions around Oyen. A greater passion was carving and working with stone. Unlike most farmers who hate stones in any form, Terry was always picking various types, studying and stockpiling them whether they were a one kilo or one tonne! This passion for working in stone inspired him to make a trip to Florence, Italy and on to Carrara to procure a block of its famous marble. He had the marble shipped back to his studio where he carved a beautiful bust of Leonardo Da Vinci. Feeling claustrophobic in his small house in Oyen, Terry decided in the late 1980’s to build his own house and yard out on his home quarter at the farm. Terry was very proud of his house was built almost entirely on his own. A lot of the stones, which he had stockpiled, were used for the house foundation. He spent countless hours tending young trees to grow in the middle of a drought. Careful attention to his garden and many fruit trees took much of his time but the subsequent pride in a good batch of chokecherry or plum wine was worth it. If he needed a break, a quick trip to the river for fishing and relaxing along the riverbank with a packed lunch was in order but he was a people person and loved to chat and meet with friends, relatives and strangers. On his many cross country and cross continent driving trips with the old 1977 Ford with camper he could listen and make friends easily with his open and caring manner. In 1996 he married Joanne Holoida and they lived on the farm. Terry was a long time member, Secretary–Treasurer and maintenance man for Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Oyen. He also served as President of the Studio 9/41 Art Club for many years helping organizing and setting up shows and a member of the Oyen Historical Society. Sadly, recent health issues recently kept him from many of his interests and being able to get out to meet with family, friends and relatives which he enjoyed so much. Terry crafted many stone monuments around Oyen, especially his ‘Prairie Castle’ at the entrance to the farm will stand for centuries as a memorial to his amazing work and craft. Terry is survived by his mother Staffania Hanewich and brother Murray Hanewich both of Oyen, as well as numerous relatives and friends. Terry was predeceased by his father Alex Hanewich in 2004. The family would like to sincerely thank all the nurses, caregivers and doctors at the Oyen Hospital for the care and compassion Terry received earlier this year while in their good care. A private family service will be held at the Oyen United Church Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas Every morning when I wake, Dear Lord, a little prayer I make, O please do keep Thy lovely eye On all poor creatures born to die And every evening at sun-down I ask a blessing on the town, For whether we last the night or no I’m sure is always touch-and-go. We are not wholly bad or good Who live our lives under Milk Wood, And Thou, I know, wilt be the first To see our best side, not our worst. O let us see another day! Bless us all this night, I pray, And to the sun we all will bow And say, good-bye – but just for now!