Long-time school trustee and football official Ernie Wynychuk died Sunday at age 78 after a two-year battle with cancer.
Wynychuk served on St. Albert’s Protestant school board on three separate occasions beginning in 1977, spending a total of 14 years as a trustee.
“We’re very, very sad — a huge loss to our district,” said chair Morag Pansegrau.
As a former teacher, principal and college instructor, Wynychuk brought a wealth of education knowledge to the board.
“He will be very much missed by all of us. We’ve been so fortunate to have him be our trustee,” Pansegrau said.
Wynychuk grew up in Edmonton and spent his working career teaching physical education and other classes in the Edmonton public system. He preferred teaching at the junior high level and was a principal until retiring in 1992.
“He really enjoyed working with kids. He loved seeing how they were able to develop,” said son Marcel. “It was truly his passion to help young people reach their potential.”
Wynychuk became a part-time instructor in Grant MacEwan’s education program the same year he retired from full-time teaching. He stayed until his illness forced him to quit last year.
“He was indeed a highly valued colleague of everyone’s here, said MacEwan’s education program chair Donna Dorsey. “We’re very sorry to hear of his passing.”
As a trustee, Wynychuk rarely turned down an invitation to events like school concerts.
His extensive community involvement included being an original member of the St. Albert Daycare Society and a long-time member of the Lions. He also sat on the committee that spearheaded the development of St. Albert Place.
His extensive community involvement began in high school and never stopped.
“He just kept living that way. He wanted to be involved in things,” Marcel said.
Wynychuk also loved the arts and the outdoors, said his wife Karin. Everywhere they went in Alberta, the Wynychuks would encounter people who knew him. If they were hiking in the mountains and a stranger asked Wynychuk a question, he would readily abandon his own plans to play tour guide.
“That was Ernie. He would make friends anywhere and everywhere,” Karin said.
A former high school quarterback and defensive back, Wynychuk went on to play for the Edmonton Wildcats junior football team before coaching the rival Huskies. He later became an official at various levels ranging from atom to professional. He was a timekeeper for the Edmonton Eskimos until about 2007, his family said.
In football circles, Wynychuk was known for his professionalism, passion for the game, sound football knowledge and great sense of humour.
“He was always in a good mood and he was always entertaining,” said Tim Enger, the technical director of Football Alberta who worked university games with Wynychuk.
“It didn’t matter how the game turned out, whether it was great or boring, you always enjoyed working with Ernie,” Enger said.
Wynychuk was especially adept at officiating games for younger age groups, helping the learning players understand the game and the rules.
“He was more than just a referee, he was a leader for them on the field,” said Arnie Enger, a long-time football associate of Wynychuk’s.
It was standing room only at Wynychuk’s funeral Thursday afternoon at the St. Albert Funeral Home.
The Protestant board voted Wednesday evening to leave Wynychuk’s seat vacant until Oct. 18, when civic and school board elections are scheduled.
