Obituary of Eugene Rudachuk
RUDACHUK, Eugene
With heavy hearts, we announce the death of our dear Husband, Dad and Grandpa. Following a planned heart bypass surgery, complications arose that no one could have predicted and with family by his side, Eugene let go of our hands and was welcomed into the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ and Blessed Mother Mary, on Sunday, October 20, 2019 at the age of 79.
Eugene was a faithfilled man, a most loving and devoted husband to his wife Gail of 56 years. Most loved and cherished Dad to Victoria, her husband Blaine MacDougall and Philip (partner Catherine Luey). Cherished Grandpa to Hillary and Talia, Amanda and Emma. Eugene will be missed and fondly remembered by his brother Paul (Grietje), his sister-in-law Lauren (Glen) and brother-in-law Roger, his Aunt Marian Rudachyk, his cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family members, his Midas family, and his many friends.
At the tender age of 13, Eugene left school and the family farm in Danbury, Saskatchewan, moving to Kingston, Ontario with his parents. Soon after, Eugene began work in a muffler shop for Hubert Renaud, called Custom Muffler. One day the truant officer came looking for Eugene as he was missing from school. His boss professed not to know him while Eugene stayed in the pit. He worked extremely hard and eventually became manager and then general manager for Mr. Renaud’s organization. When the day came that Eugene and Gail decided to head out on their own, Mr. Renaud pleaded with him to stay, however, Eugene was determined to pursue this opportunity as he heard great things about a company called Midas Muffler. In 1972, with a twinkle in his eye and fire in his belly, he packed up and moved his young family to Toronto to open his first Midas shop. Shortly thereafter, Eugene opened up 5 more shops and eventually moved his family to St. Catharines where they planted their roots in the St. Catharines community and have remained there for the past 42 years. Eugene and Gail loved to travel, spent summers at their cottage and winters in Florida where Eugene was able to keep his joy for “big-boy” toys alive by volunteering over 1700 hours at Morton Meese Hospital driving the tram picking up doctors and patients, chatting the day away. Apart from Eugene’s love of driving his motorhomes anywhere and riding his bike, he always loved to be surrounded by people and was happy when he could tackle any handyman project or help others in any way he possibly could. Eugene was a proud husband, father and grandfather, ever the gentleman; he will be cherished and loved by all of us and will continue to serve from his new home above.
Our family wishes to express our sincere gratitude and thank you to the entire ICU team at Hamilton General Hospital.Visitation will take place at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines, on Friday, October 25, 2019 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. with Vigil Prayers being held at 3:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Julia Roman Catholic Church, 251 Glenridge Ave., St. Catharines on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. Cremation will follow. Memorial donations may be made to The Canadian Diabetes Association or Community Care, St. Catharines & Thorold. On-Line Guest Book - www.georgedartefuneralhome.com