George Woronuk Family

George, the eldest son of Nick and Erena Woronuk was born in Arbaka, Manitoba on September 24, 1912. He came over the Edson Trail to the Central Peace with his parents in 1913. George grew up on the family farm and attended public school at the original Rycroft School SD 2109 constructed in 1918. Unable to speak English when he commenced school, the Eatons catalogue was utilized by the teacher to facilitate his learning the language. His high school education during the depression was interrupted by lack of finances. He worked for Mr. Jim Dodge in the hardware store in Spirit River to acquire additional income - as funds became available George returned to school to continue his education. Thus, he attended high school in Spirit River, Grande Prairie and Edmonton (Victoria High). He received his teachers certificate from the Edmonton Normal School.

While attending school in Edmonton he pursued his interest in music - studying guitar initially and subsequently violin under Professor Darmont, a highly regarded violin instructor from France. Prof. Darmont was quick to realize the potential of his student, but the student was quick to realize he could not afford Darmont. To enable the student to continue, the good professor permitted him to teach some of his junior students in lieu of cash. During the summer holidays George gave violin lessons to his brothers Alex and Merose, providing them with a good base in classical music and a stimulus for further study on their own. After completing normal school he taught in a number of rural schools. In 1936 while teaching at Northern Star, in the vicinity of Elk Point, he met and married Ann Melnyk. The following year he taught at Greenway where he gave freely of his time, as he did in Northern Star, to organize a school orchestra.

His teaching career culminated in Heinsburg where he accepted the post of principal and taught high school. There their first son, Rob was born.

The war years saw George move to Dawson Creek, British Columbia to work with R. Melville Smith and U.S. District Engineers on the Alaska Highway Project. On completion of the road program, George was employed by Vic Rimbey in a General Motors Dealership as a bookkeeper and parts-man - in the evenings he constructed houses. Having gained some management and business experience, he moved to Grimshaw, Alberta in 1947. There he started Superior Motors, a Pontiac-Buick Dealership. The house construction sideline continued until 1950, by which time the family had lived in eight houses over the preceding five years. Only the location of the toilet remained constant - it was out back (except of course, on Halloween when it might be anywhere).

During this time, the family grew to five with the addition of two daughters; Robbin, March 29, 1944 and Claire, December 17, 1945. The final son, Dean awaited the warmer climes of Calgary before making his appearance on March 11, 1954. George's involvement in the trucking industry and other business ventures while in Calgary are described in the Alex Woronuk family story.

George passed away in Calgary on June 20, 1966. His first wife, Anne resides in Victoria, British Columbia and Berdine (Button) Woronuk lives in Calgary.

Rob Woronuk is both President of GasEnergy Strategies Inc. and President of Westpac Terminals Inc. . Rob married Fay in August, 1973. They have three children; Stacy, Jackie and Grant.

Claire married Wayne Powell, a lawyer and they live in Vancouver. They have two children Meredith and Tyler.

Robbin married Keith Bracken, a lawyer, they have two children; Christopher and Riley and reside in Victoria.

Dean resides in and has a business venture in Nelson, British Columbia.