Barry Syrota's online link Barry's Funeral Mass In Loving Memory of Barry Syrota Barry passed away peacefully at home the morning of November 13, 2021 at the age of 72. He was born at the Wynyard Hospital on October 11, 1949, and was the eldest of Nestor & Anne (Pidkowich) Syrota’s six children. They lived on the family farm with Baba, Gido and Uncle Donnie. Prior to attending school Barry spoke mostly Ukrainian. Also in Gido’s eyes growing up, Barry could do no wrong. Barry started Grade 1 at Lily White Country School. When the school closed the following year, Barry attended Elfros Public School and high school in Yorkton at St. Joseph’s College. In 1971 he started farming with his dad and then later on with his brother, Neil. He loved grain farming and enjoyed being with the cattle and his horses. That same year Barry also got a job with the RM of Elfros. With guidance from his dad and foreman Henry Bzdel, Barry learned a lot about mechanics, heavy- duty equipment and road construction. This knowledge lead him to future job opportunities with the RM of Emerald, the RM of Foam Lake, WF Botkin in Regina and RW Little Construction, from Wadena. Barry was also a school bus driver. For thirteen years he drove his children and other students to Foam Lake. During this time, not only were new friendships made with the other bus drivers but with the students as well. These past five years Barry came full circle working for Betty Ann and Leon Bjarnason doing what he loved most, farming. Throughout all this time, Barry made many friends and kept in touch with all of them. In February 1976 Barry met the love of his life Diane McEachern of Kronau. They were married October 9, 1976 and were blessed with 4 Children. He loved being with his children, coaching hockey, attending all their events and later attending the activities of his grandchildren. Barry had strong ties to his community of Holar and his town of Elfros. In 1986 he ran for council in the RM of Elfros, won and then held that position until his passing, thirty-five years later.He was also very active on the Elfros Rink Board, Elfros Lions Club and volunteered his services at St. Demetrius church (Holar) as caretaker, retiring from those duties only a year ago. His faith was very important to him and he was proud to be a member of the Wynyard Knights of Columbus. Over a span of several years Barry enjoyed playing hockey with the Elfros Eagles, he was #9 (after his favorite player Bobby Hull). He enjoyed shooting gophers, hunting, golfing, curling, and watching hockey, as well as helping to organize and attend the Syrota and Pidkowich family reunions and going to the lake, especially after Linda and Jason built their cabin. Nothing however topped his love for his Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Winnipeg Jets. He was well known by many for that and his friends often heckled him if they were not performing. Another one his favorite pastimes was going “around the block” with Gary Ruthven and meeting friends for coffee at the A & W in Wynyard and the Bankend Coop. He loved to play cards, loved to drive around with family and friends and reminisce about the olden days sharing his knowledge; he was our Historian. Barry enjoyed the simple things and time spent visiting with family and friends was always a top priority. Barry always brought something when he came to visit anyone. Whether it was lottery tickets in a birthday card, a “treat” for the kids or for the adults! He also loved to plan parties or “give” the list to Diane of what he needed and what needed to be done for the party. When he turned 65 he planned his own birthday party, which was at the Elfros Hall with 100+ of his closest friends and relatives; something, many of us would have a hard time to achieve. Barry was predeceased by his daughter Mary (1985), his parents Anne & Nestor Syrota, his father-in-law Murray McEachern and sister-in-law Kathy Syrota. He leaves to mourn, his wife Diane of 45 years; children Roberta Stadnyk and her family Kelsey & Rylan, Linda and Jason Foulston and their family Alexandra, Teagan, and Riley and John and Mandy Syrota and their family Carson and Kylee. Brother Neil, sisters Eugenia (Bob) Johnson, Elizabeth (Dave) Collison, Bernadette (Merlyn) Tomyn, and Maria (Lyle) Leach, mother-in-law Ruby McEachern, brothers-in-law Murray and Martin McEachern, sisters-in-law Delores Allen, Donna (Tim) Seiferling, Darlene Vollman, Denise (Bruce) Piller, and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. We will cherish the memories we have of Barry and all who knew him will certainly miss him. Vichnaya Pamyat! In the famous words of Barry, “our fearless leader” (nicknamed by his sisters’ husbands)….. “Thanks for Coming and Thanks for Going!” -In Loving Memory of - Barry Nestor Syrota October 11, 1949 –November 13, 2021 -Funeral Service – Thursday, November 18, 2021 11:00 am St. Dememtrius Church, Holar -Officiating- Father Jeffrey Stephaniuk -Cantor- Marilyn Syrota -Cross Bearer- Emil Syrota -Epistle Reader- Merle Wasylynka -Honorary Pallbearers- All who shared in Barry’s life -Pallbearers- Rylan Stadnyk - Derek Leach - Joseph Leach – Dickson Tomyn - Lee Ruthven – Shane Vollman -Eulogists- Tayler Halyk – Ashley Bullerwell -Interment_ St. Demetrius Parish Cemetery, Holar Following the Interment Lunch will be served at the Elfros Hal Donations in memory of Barry Syrota may be made to Saint Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church C/O Maria Leach P.O. Box 704, Wadena, SK S0A 4J0 or The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan 279 3rd Ave N, Saskatoon, SK S7K 2H8 Cards of Comfort may be forwarded to The Syrota Family P.O. Box 129 Elfros, Saskatchewan S0A 0V0