Peter Kirylchuk, a well-known Lac La Biche educator, municipal politician, life-long farmer and a father of four, passed away suddenly on March 24 at the age of 85.
David Schultz remembers his grandfather — his Gido — as a larger-than-life role model, describing him as "a man of high integrity," one who never compromised his values, someone who was a faithful member of the Evangelical Free Church, and focused on the betterment of people and the community he loved. Schultz said his grandfather was purpose-driven and principled, living solidly by biblical values.
Kirylchuk used those values and his passion for the people around him in his career as a long-serving high school teacher and principal in Lac La Biche and a member of the local school board. The family man and farmer was also the founding president of the Oat Producers Association of Alberta and an Alberta Farm Family Award winner in 1996 with his wife Alma at their PAK Farm.
From 2004 to 2012, Kirylchuk was a senior elected official in the Lac La Biche region, first as the Reeve of the former Lakeland County and then in 2007 as the first Mayor of the newly formed Lac La Biche County.
Schultz said his Gido truly enjoyed his role in public service. Many positive changes for community and regional residents happened during his grandfather’s time in office, including the creation of a new municipal water system, improved education and training avenues for young students, new walking trails into rural areas, the municipal amalgamation, and the construction of the new J.A. Williams High School attached to the new Bold Center, along with future plans for more additions to the recreation building.
Family members say he had a unique ability to see future trends and needs, and then prepare for them — whether it was around the farm or a boardroom table.
“He was a man of vision … he had ideas … and he was able to communicate with wisdom so that things could happen,” Schultz said, adding that Kirylchuk was also a networker who brought people together to make ideas into reality.
In 2012, Kirylchuk announced he was retiring from political life, deciding to spend more time with his family.
"My wife, for many years, has wanted to travel to Israel, so I want to do that before we're too old and decrepit," he said with a laugh during a 2012 interview with the Lac La Biche POST after announcing his resignation. "Being in municipal politics for the last eight years, well, it takes a lot of personal time to make sure that you're doing that job right. And I've got a grandson now who shot up three inches in the last couple of months, and now we're eye-to-eye. I don't want to miss any of that."
Recalling his grandfather’s legacy, Schultz said Kirylchuk had a lot of big dreams for his community and gave the community the best chance to achieve those goals.
“All of his public service was focused on serving the community and the youth,” he said. “All these things he did, he knew that he wouldn’t benefit from them…he did it for his grandkids…he did it for the community, and all the kids that are coming after him.”
In a tribute written on behalf of his family, Kirylchuk was described as a man who "planned intentionally for a better future in the family and in the community. As a family man, farmer, high school principal, and mayor, he touched many lives."
With his loving wife Alma, the family says the couple set the best possible examples to follow.
"Dad was a devoted husband of 62 years to our mom, serving as a steadfast partner in life's joys and sorrows. Their love story epitomized harmony and synchronized effort as they raised four children," the tribute provided to Lakeland This Week reads. "They taught us the value of resilience, responsibility, diligence, and Christian family life ... He also loved an occasional water fight or baseball game on the front lawn."
From the Family: "As a high school science teacher and principal, Dad shaped young minds, nurturing curiosity and fostering growth in future generations. By founding No-School Fridays in Alberta and Work Experience for credit at J. A. Williams High School, his initiatives improved graduation rates in the community. Some students were employed on the family farm to give those students the agricultural experience of driving modern equipment and working with cattle in a family-friendly environment.
"As a respected reeve and mayor, he took his turn at the helm of our community, guiding it toward progress and unity. He was skilled in negotiating community affairs with oil and gas stakeholders and provincial policy makers on behalf of residents. He was recognized for his community growth initiatives and partnerships, which included upgrading firefighting equipment for Plamondon; combining a school library, recreation center, and later a school together into one facility, known as the Bold Center; various water and sewer projects; lobbied for permanent dialysis unit; and the truck bypass with illumination.
"Dad loved farming. Beginning with the horse drawn wagon, later a John Deere Model D tractor, he grew it over many decades promoting and implementing innovative farming practices including silage harvesting, no-till seeding and straight-cutting grain in our region. We enjoyed working with our dad in the field, in the cattle pens and in the yard developing a strong work ethic.
"We are filled with gratitude as we look to the future. We hope to continue our dad’s legacy of hard work, faith, and community service to make a positive difference. We will miss him."
Kirylchuk was buried in Lac La Biche’s Willow Park Cemetery on March 26. A memorial has been planned by family for June 14 at the Evangelical Free Church.
