Alexander Paul Puchala, husband of the late Beatrice Puchala, entered eternal rest peacefully at the Yorkton Regional Health Center on February 2, 2018, with loving family by his side. He was the fourth of seven children born to Anton and Tekla Puchala in Rhein, SK, on March 2, 1927. Alex assisted on the family farm while growing up and graduated grade twelve at the age of 18. He attended normal school in Moose Jaw that summer, and after completing six weeks of further schooling received his teaching certificate. He started his first teaching position at Eva Dale School, located north of Arran, SK, in the fall of 1945. He taught there for three years and during this time met the love of his life, Beatrice Woytkiw, at a local dance. They married on October 16, 1948, and spent the next sixty-four years together, until Beatrice's passing in 2013. Alex also taught in Vionne, north of Rhein, for two years, following which they moved to Toronto in 1950, where he worked for Eaton's Department Store. They returned to Saskatchewan in 1953, where he taught in Vionne again. They bought a house in Rhein in 1957. During the 1964-65 academic school year, Alex completed his education and received his Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1965. Upon graduation, and leaving Saskatoon, Alex accepted a principalship teaching position in Foam Lake. He remained there until his retirement in 1983. In the fall of 1985, Alex and Bea moved to Guelph, ON. They returned to Yorkton, SK, in 1987. They purchased their current home in 1989, and remained there until their passing. Alex and Bea's marriage was blessed with four children: Carol, Dale, Earl, and Floyd. In the following years their lives were enriched with eight cherished grandchildren. Family life centered around Christian values, education, and enjoying holidays and summers at the lake where he enjoyed entertaining and socializing. Many a social gathering with family and friends occurred at the Madge Lake "Dew Drop Inn" cabin. Alex and Bea also enjoyed travelling, touring all over Canada, and visiting Texas, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and many other locations in the United States. Alex was a devoted father and thoroughly enjoyed his grandchildren. Highlights of cabin life were teaching family to golf and fish, and the numerous "rider rides" on the golf cart given to the grandchildren, whether it was legal to drive on the streets or not. Alex enjoyed curling, golfing, fishing, playing numerous card games, and sudoku. Alex was a lifelong Catholic and heavily involved in many aspects of church life. He was a parish council member of Christ the King Roman Catholic Church in Foam Lake, SK, as well as on the building committee and work crew for its renovation/construction. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, and also participated in a variety of aspects of church activities at St. Gerard's Parish in Yorkton. Alex is survived by son-in-law Ted Boychuk and his children Jana (Mike) and Scott, his daughter Dale (Nial) Kuyek and their children Jennifer (Chris) and Janelle (Cory), his son Earl Puchala and his children Kaylee (Kyle) and Shelby, and his son Floyd (Beth) Puchala and their children Christopher and Michelle. He is also survived by sisters Annie Achtemichuk, Mary Puchala, and brother Victor (Vickie) Puchala, and brothers-in-law Merv Krasowski, Eugene (Hannah) Woytkiw, John Woytkiw, and sister-in-law Lucille Woytkiw. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Alex was predeceased by his wife Beatrice in 2013 and his daughter Carol Boychuk in 2016. He was also predeceased by his parents Anton and Tekla Puchala, brother Paul, brother Martin and his wife Suzanne, sister Helen Krasowski, brother-in-law John Achtemichuk, parent-in-laws John and Pearl Woytkiw, sister-in-law Marion Ewach and her husband Gordon Ewach, brothers-in-law Wesley, Stanley and his wife Priscilla, Rudy, and Jerry Woytkiw. Prayers were held on Thursday, February 8, 2017 from St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church in Yorkton with Mary Bybliw officiating. Michelle Puchala was the lector, Chris Puchala read the intercessions. Pianist, Chris Fisher led in the hymns Here I Am Lord, Psalm 27, and Rest in Peace. The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, February 9, 2018 from St. Gerard's Church with Rv. Fr. Louis Kim Nguyen as Celebrant. The cross bearer was Kaylee Tumack, the Lectors were Scott Boychuk & Shelby Puchala. Jana Boychuk read the intercessions. Gift Bearers were Janelle Kuyek, Cory Hoskins, Kaylee Tumack, Kyle Tumack and Mike Joseph. Pianist, Diana Hornung led in the hymns This Day God Gives Me, Psalm 23, Come Home, Be Not Afraid, Song of the Angels, and Amazing Grace. Members of the Yorkton Council of the Knights of Columbus attended and formed an Honour Guard. The interment took place in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Jana and Scott Boychuk, Janelle Kuyek, Kaylee Tumack, and Shelby, Chris and Michelle Puchala serving as the casket bearers. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com.
