Mac Sliworsky

Mac “Metody” Sliworsky  July 29, 1936 – June 14, 2025

Suddenly, surrounded by family and loved ones, Mac left this world to join his beloveds, at the age of 88 years.

Christened as Metody to Carl and Mary (Shewchuk) Sliworsky, Mac was born in Winnipegosis, MB on July 29, 1936. 

Metody passed away in Dauphin, MB, with loved ones by his side.

Mac was the middle child born into a family of six siblings. Growing up on a small farm taught Mac work ethic and determination.  Mac began his ranching career toddling behind his father, imitating his actions.  His responsibilities increased as he grew and Mac continued to learn more about the cattle industry.  As a school aged boy, Mac made a daily 4 mile trek, each way, with his siblings to a country schoolhouse to receive a formal education, before returning home by 4:00 to continue his life long learning of cattle ranching.

As a young man Mac worked hard along his father on the family farm, but he also had an active social life.  He shared countless stories about social events he attended  as a young man with his friends or family.  He was at an event in Rorketon, MB when he met the love of his life, Florence Kolochuk.  After a brief courtship Mac and Florence wed on September 2, 1961. 

The new couple began married life along the West Waterhen River and boundary to Skownan Reserve, eventually welcoming their first two sons, Floyd and Carl.  Mac faced daily challenges as he worked hard to provide for a family while working to build his cattle herd while being isolated from family and resources, especially raising two small sons.  After six years living along the river Mac made the decision to move to Meadow Portage so Floyd could start school.  Once again Mac and Florence started a new life, but this time they were closer to family.  It was in their new home in Meadow Portage that they welcomed their youngest son, Terry. 

Mac was a man of many different interests. The love of music was deep in Mac’s veins.  He would take his guitar and fiddle places with him, “just in case the opportunity arises” so he could perform; usually resulting with a group around him, singing.  And Gedo always included his grandchildren if one was around when he played.  The grandchildren accompanied him by playing the spoons.

He always seemed to have a new joke to tell, and knew so many others that he never told the same one twice.  While he was famous for his jokes, Mac had a few tricks up his sleeve, with his most played trick being “The Ukrainian Trailer”.

Mac had two religions he was devoted to.  As a member of the Ukrainian Catholic church he shared his beautiful gift of song for many years.  The second was baseball.  He proudly donned the jersey for Team 77 along Floyd, Carl and Terry for many years, no matter where the tournament was, the van was loaded and on the road.  His name was on many rosters before slowing down a bit and joining a senior slo pitch league.  This “slowing down” at baseball saw Mac participate in the World Champion Senior Slo pitch Tournament in Kansas City.

He was a forager.  Mac loved nature and couldn’t wait to get out and pick whatever was in season at the time.  He loved morel picking in early spring, berry picking in the summer and early fall.  Much to the chagrin of his picking partners, Mac would wander deeper and deeper into the forest foraging.  He’d always make his way back, talking excitedly about his finds.  A huge garden was planted every spring.  After the passing of Florence, Mac continued to plant his garden, welcoming anyone to come and take whatever they wanted, during harvest.

We like to think that Mac retired, but he didn’t. He couldn’t. Everything that Mac did was what made Mac who he was.  He may have slowed down a little, but he kept on being Mac.

Mac was predeceased by his mother Mary (1998), father Carl (2006), sisters Elizabeth and Tillie (infant babies), brother Mike (2003).  Mac lost the love of his life Florence in 2018.

He leaves to mourn his passing and cherish fond memories; sons Floyd and wife Audrey, Carl and partner Adina, Terry and wife Tammy; ten grandchildren, Nicole (Simon), Joey (Hailey), Shane (Nicole), Allie, Erin (Jordon), Robyn (Justin), Jordyn (Dawson), Sidney, Lexi and Bodie; as well as four great-grandchildren, Sophia, Madelyn, Felix and Zena, sisters Vicky (Bev), and Lillian (Larry), along with numerous nephews, nieces, godchildren, and wonderful friends and neighbours.

Prayers were offered at 7:00 pm, Friday June 20, 2025 from the Sneath-Strilchuk Family Care Centre in Dauphin, MB.

A Funeral Liturgy was held for Mac on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 10:00 am from the Holy Ascension Ukrainian Catholic Church in Winnipegosis, MB.  

Interment followed in the Meadowlands Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery.

Should friends so desire, donations in memory of Mac may be made to the Winnipegosis Minor Baseball or a Charity of One's Choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mac Sliworsky, please visit our floral store.