Obituary of Tony Steve Mihilewicz

Tony Mihilewicz was born on the family homestead near Honeymoon, SK on June 7, 1935. He was the fourth of five children born to Jozef and Julia Mihilewicz, Polish immigrants who had come to Canada in 1929.  Tony grew up on the farm where he learned the value of hard work and developed the love of farming that he carried throughout his life.

One of his first jobs was arriving early and lighting the wood stove in the one room schoolhouse that he attended until Grade 8.  At the young age of 12, under the watchful eye of his father, Tony spent the summer building a granary by himself, including sawing all the lumber and even making the nails in their blacksmith shop. 

Tony had three children from his first marriage:  Barry, Cindy and Brenda.  Shortly after he got married, Tony went to work at L & A Plumbing and Heating as a plumber’s apprentice.  Once he achieved Journeyman status, he partnered with Joe Laturnas to start their own plumbing business, Northern Town & Country Plumbing and Heating.  In 1965, Joe left to work for the government so Tony bought Campbell’s Plumbing and Heating (1965) Ltd., which he operated for the next 10 years.  Due to a serious medical issue, Tony couldn’t work as a plumber which resulted in the closure of the business.  Once he recovered, he worked at Prince Albert Northern Bus Lines for a year, then began a 25-year career at the Prince Albert Pulp Mill (later Weyerhauser), retiring in 2000.   Throughout his career he achieved Interprovincial Journeyman status as a Plumber, Pipefitter and Gas Fitter. 

While working at P.A. Bus Lines, Tony met his partner and soulmate, Carol Bueckert.   They would spend the next 40 years together working at the Mill, renovating houses, and eventually retiring.  Tony’s love of farming continued throughout his life and in 1992 he and Carol bought a half section of land south of Prince Albert, which he farmed until well into his eighties.  In 2005 at the age of 70, Tony began construction on their dream home, where Tony resided with Carol until he moved to Mont St. Joseph in December of 2022.  One of the hardest days of his life was when he sold all his livestock and watched them being loaded onto the trailer.

Tony was always very active.  He was a hard worker, but he also had many hobbies including playing cards, waterskiing, renovating houses and in later years, he took up wine making, much to the delight of the many people he shared his wine with.

Tony passed away peacefully at Mont St. Joseph on the afternoon of April 29, 2023, at the age of 87.  He leaves behind his partner of 40 years, Carol Bueckert; His children: Barry (Gisele) Mihilewicz of Prince Albert, Cindy (Keith) Szabo of Calgary, AB and Brenda Rinholm of Chicago, IL.  Carol’s children:  Kim Bueckert and Quinton (Trina) Bueckert of Prince Albert.  Grandchildren: Kris (Naomi) Mihilewicz and their children Holden and Lillian of Saskatoon; Joel (Becky) Mihilewicz and their daughter Ally of Prince Albert; Matthew (Lauren Hughes) Mihilewicz of Edmonton, AB;  Alek Rinholm of Salt Lake City, UT;  Kyle Rinholm of Chicago, IL;  Tristan Rinholm of Salt Lake City, UT;  Colton Bueckert of Prince Albert;  and Zac Bueckert of Prince Albert;  sister-in-law Olga Mihilewicz (since deceased); Carol’s sister Barb Hildebrandt.

Tony was predeceased by his parents, Jozef and Julia Mihilewicz, his granddaughter Alicia Mihilewicz, brothers Louis, Edward and Frank Mihilewicz, sister Jean Buchynski, sister-in-law Mary Mihilewicz, brother-in-law John Buchynski;  Carol’s sister Sherian Morgan and Carol’s brother-in-law Harold Hidebrandt.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, June 5, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Michaels Parish, 1505 13th St. W.  Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lorne Adams, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322