Blair Wyshynski

September 8, 1959 - December 9, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Blair on December 9 at Edmonton University Hospital with family by his side.

Blair was involved in a motor vehicle accident when returning to Yellowknife after the fire evacuation was lifted and later succumbed to his injuries.

Blair was born in Saskatoon. He grew up on a farm near Elstow, where he developed a strong work ethic, which he maintained for the rest of his life. Later, he was a co-owner of an elk farm.

He attended Clavet Composite School. After graduation he was employed at the Allan Potash Mine and continued helping on the farm.

After working at the mine for several years, Blair and his cousin Guy came up with a plan to quit their jobs and travel the world. They travelled the world as travellers (not tourists) staying in hostels and working odd jobs to "stretch" their money. They met up with Murray Anderson, another Canadian traveller, and travelled together. Blair managed to travel for 30 months. He sent many postcards with printing so tiny that you needed a magnifying glass to read them. His way of "saying a lot" on the postcard. Lloyd received a parcel from Bolivia, totally covered in blue stamps. With Bolivia's economy so poor, he had to send a parcel because he could not get enough stamps on a postcard. The family received many packages with gifts when Blair was travelling.

Upon returning to Canada, Blair became employed in the elevator industry, working in Winnipeg and later moving back to Saskatoon.

In September 1997, Blair moved to Yellowknife and took on the job of local representative for Thyssen Elevator. He travelled the north repairing and installing elevators in Yellowknife, Inuvik, Fort Smith, Hay River, various mines and communities.

Blair was athletic and loved sports. He participated in curling, softball, slow pitch, football and broomball.

Some of Blair's greatest joys were hunting and fishing. Living in Yellowknife offered him great opportunities to hunt moose, grizzly bear, wolverine, wolves, Dahl sheep and caribou. He generously hosted family and friends on many of his annual hunting trips to the Yukon. Blair's dad and nephews got to experience hunting moose, caribou and Dahl sheep in the Yukon.

Blair had very good eyesight and could count the points on a buck, including the drop tine, when others could barely see the deer. "You need glasses" was heard more than once.

He enjoyed many fishing trips on Great Slave Lake and Great Bear Lake with family and friends.

Blair had a great affinity for Art (probably because of his extraordinary eyesight) and did his own drawings when he was younger. He designed the gate for the "Floral Elk Ranch".

He paid great attention to detail and would take extra time to make his projects look better, from woodworking, tile, masonry, landscaping and whatever project he was working on. When helping with other people's projects, he would say "Why don't you do this..., it will make it look better". It was usually accepted with no regrets.

Blair was very generous and would always get a floral centerpiece delivered to the family member that was hosting Christmas supper that year. He generously gifted many paintings, carvings, sculptures, T-shirts and ball caps from his travels to family and friends. Blair's visits home always consisted of gifting Arctic char, White fish and his own smoked fish and sausage. He even gave us muskox sausage! Always a treat and he never hesitated to share his recipes.

Blair purchased a cabin at Tobin Lake in anticipation of his retirement and totally loved the time he spent tweaking his cabin, fishing and socializing with his neighbours and new friends.

Blair is lovingly remembered by his brothers and sisters; Dale, Doris, Lloyd & Irene, Lyle and Karen; his nephews and nieces, Eric & Danielle (Chloe, Cadence), Evan & Allysa (Mason, Aiden), Kyle & Rachelle (Aubrey), Craig & Taisa, and Lisa & Ricky (Alorah), Curtis & Anneke (Anderson, Harper, Rhett), Daniel & Jenna (Liam, Rory).

Blair was predeceased by his parents, Issy and Vera, and his nephew, Christopher.

Special thanks to the Neurological ICU team at Edmonton University Hospital.

Blair's life will be honoured and his memory cherished without a formal funeral. Please take the time to remember Blair in your own way.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Ducks Unlimited remained close to Blair's heart, please consider a memorial donation directly to STARS or a charity of your choice. STARS, 1441 Aviation Park NE, Box 570 Calgary, AB T2E 8M7 Telephone: 1-855-516-4848 Email: donations@stars.ca

A Celebration of Blair's life will be held at 4:00 pm on March 23, 2024, at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex, 1525 Avenue P South, Saskatoon. Blair's final resting place will be at St. John's Cathedral Columbarium in Saskatoon.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed at https://everloved.com/life-of/blair-wyshynski/