Obituary of Michael John Ostash

Born November 16th 1923 in Strathclair, Manitoba, passed away peacefully on November 30th 2024 in West Kelowna BC, making him an amazing 101 yrs.

Mike volunteered to join WW2 on July 5, 1943. He was in England by December 1943 and Italy by 1944 with the 1st Canadian division. While fighting on the front line he was wounded and sent to main base to convalesce, while there he applied for a job as a driver. It turned out that Sargent Major Hasen Castles was a friend of Mike’s dad, needless to say Mike got the job. With the new position, he never had to go back to the front lines and Mike always professed that the Sargent Major saved his life. He spent the rest of the war driving personnel and equipment throughout Europe. Towards the end of the war Mike joined the Military Police and was posted in the Netherlands.

In May of 2015 Mike, Wayne, Linda and Frank Jeffries, another WW2 Veteran from Kelowna were asked to represent Canada on the Netherlands 69th Liberation Day Celebrations, in Veendam. This was Mike’s first time back in the Netherlands since he had returned home from the war, he had no idea what impact the Canadian Soldiers had on the people of the Netherlands. Through their entire visit there Mike and Frank were treated with great respect and admiration by the very young to the very old, approaching them often to say “Thank You” for all you did for us.

After the war Mike returned to his home town in Manitoba, purchased land, starting his civilian life as a farmer. Mike married his first wife Nellie Kostesky on February 6, 1948, they had 2 children Wayne & Linda.  In 1956 he sold his farm and purchased a dairy farm in Cranbrook BC.

Mike wore may hats throughout his life, fuel stations, trucking company, milkman, managed beer parlors, apartment buildings and was involved in construction.  In 1975 Mike and Wayne started a successful construction company in Cranbrook, Ostash Exteriors. When Mike retired his son-in-law, Larry Shuflita purchased his shares and became partner for 22 years. Eventually Linda & Larry moved to West Kelowna BC, where they wanted to retire.

Mike moved to Oliver BC where he met Sonia Rutka, they married on June 9, 1990. They proceeded to be globe trotters travelling extensively throughout the world. On June 9, 2013 Sonia passed away. Once back in Kelowna Mike was reacquainted with an old friend Edith Skirzyk, they had many wonderful years together.

Mike met another old friend from Shoal lake, Manitoba, Phyllis Herchak there. He always had a lovely companion on his arm. While in his nursing home, the staff always said he was a “polite and charming ladies’ man”.

Mike was predeceased by his sisters Nellie & Rose, brothers Peter, Jack, Harry & Stan. Nellie Conroy and Sonia Ostash.  Survived by brothers Milton and Donny, son Wayne & Cheryl Ostash, daughter Linda & Larry Shuflita, stepdaughter Sylvia Surette and Don Robinson. Grandchildren Stephen & Kathy Shuflita, Jaimie & Tim Senyk, Cody & Andrea Ostash, Tammy & Mark Wicheruk, Jonathan Roberts, Step grandchildren Allan & Monica Surette, Michelle Surette and Miles.  Great grandchildren Blair, Byron, Olivia and Bryce Thompson, Callie & Laycee Senyk, Isabel & Audrey Wicheruk, Alexis, Jaxon & Bexley Ostash. Step grandchildren Eric and Veronica Surette.

There will be a Celebration of Life with the RC Legion Honour Guard, Kelowna, B.C. in the spring. Interment to follow in Cranbrook.