Fred Swiderski passed away at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at the age of 80 years.
Fred was born on August 13, 1944, to Joseph and Jean (nee Bosovich) Swiderski in Canora Union Hospital, Canora, SK. He attended Mason School, a country school north of the family farm until Grade 8 and then received his grade 9 and 10 education in Rama, SK. On the farm, Fred was always very helpful as long as you didn’t ask him to milk cows or clean the house. Not being too interested in school, Fred decided it was time to go to work – he started working around home picking stones and working on the farm and then he got a job working in Churchill, MB - first at a gas station, then at an Auto Body. The pay up there was better than at home and he started for $2.60 per hour and back home they were paying only $1.25 per hour.
Fred stayed in Churchill until the fall of 1962, when his father passed away suddenly. Fred returned home to help on the farm and accepted an Auto Body job in Yorkton, SK. The following year, in 1963, he went to work in Winnipeg, MB, and shortly thereafter Verna followed him.
In 1965, Verna and Fred moved back to the Swiderski farm, 3 ½ miles east of Invermay, SK, and on October 9th, they were married in Rama, SK. In 1966, Fred continued his career in Auto Body and he worked for Pesko’s on the east side of Invermay, then rented the back of what is now ‘The Wanderin’ Moose’; in 1968, Fred bought the old Antique Plaza store in Invermay and set up his Auto Body there for 10 years.
In 1967, 1968, and 1969, Fred and Verna celebrated the birth of their children, Shelley, Curtis and Kevin.
Fred and Verna decided it was time to relocate the family into town and in 1975 their new home was built.
In 1978, Fred also decided to expand his Invermay Auto Body business and purchased the shop next to the school from Wheatbelt Sales and Service. Then much to their surprise, the following year, they welcomed Trina into the family.
Fred had a passion for his work – he was particular, meticulous and fussy. Later in his careers, he worked alongside both his sons, Kevin in parts and then Curtis, who did the painting and restoration right until the closing of Invermay Auto Body in 2010.
Fred was never great at retiring, as working is everything he knew, but he did enjoy cruising the streets and countryside around Invermay, checking his mail multiple times a day, going to coffee row and his beloved cat, Missy. Fred continued to drive his Kubota tractor and till gardens as long as his health would allow.
Over the years, Fred was involved with the Kinsmen, Kuroki Credit Union Board, and Invermay Town Council. He enjoyed camping trips with his family, he loved his vehicles, and he enjoyed curling and Ski-dooing.
Fred was predeceased by his wife, Verna Swiderski; sons, Kevin and Curtis Swiderski; parents, Joseph Swiderski and Jean Grona, and stepfather, Michael Grona; brothers, Eugene Swiderski and Myles Swiderski; mother-in-law, Mary Chalupiak; fathers-in-law, William Knash and Mike Chalupiak; and brother-in-law, Nester Knash.
He is survived by his daughters, Shelley (Johnnie) Burghardt and Trina (Derek) Helberg; grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Ty and Desirae Burghardt, Kole and Hayden Helberg; sister, Lillian (Ken) Faure; brothers, Dennis Swiderski and Dale Grona; sister-in-law, Phyllis Knash; and his dearest lifelong friend, Larry Dyky; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
In Fred’s honour, a celebration of life service was held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 11, 2025, from the Chapel of Leson’s Funeral Home, Canora, SK, with Shawna Leson as certified celebrant. Committal followed in St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Parish Cemetery, north of Rama, SK. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Invermay Health Centre or to a Charity of Donor’s Choice, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Fred Swiderski. Those wishing to send cards of caring and sympathy may send them to Box 1062, Foam Lake, SK, S0A 1A0. Family and friends are also invited to sign an online guestbook at www.lesonsfuneralhome.ca. Arrangements were entrusted to LESON’S FUNERAL HOME, Canora.
