ASHMONT – In Canada, fewer than one per cent of people are 100 years old or older, according to Statistics Canada – a statistic similar to the number of centenarians around the globe.
Among the few that can lay claim to living a century is long-time County of St. Paul resident Emil Starosielski, who celebrated his 100th birthday on Nov. 5. For Starosielski, he credits his longevity to “hard work and [I] could not sit still and loved to dance.”
Starosielski was born on Nov. 5, 1923, in Ukraine. He came to Canada in 1928 and his family briefly settled in Waugh, before moving to Coronado, and then to Ashmont, where he attended school.
He then worked at various jobs in lumber camps and with threshing crews. He also worked in the drilling industry, drilling water wells, to name just a few of his previous jobs. At one point, Starosielski even rode his bicycle to Edmonton for a job.
In 1946, Starosielski bought land from a brother-in-law in the Ashmont area and began farming. He then met his future wife Sheila Sallstrom, and the two got married on June 23, 1950. They lived on that same land up until recently.
Life was far from easy for the couple. Besides tending to their farm, the Starosielskis cleared snow for the County, and worked at a lumber camp to supplement the family's income. But slowly, things got better, and the Starosielski family also grew.
The Starosielski’s first child, Norman, was born in 1954. Diane was born in 1960, Emil Jr. was born in 1964 (passing away in 1996), Andrew was born in 1969, and Sabrina was born in 1972.
Norman told Lakeland This Week that his father was a very hardworking man. “He inspired the rest of us... to work with nothing and make something,” said Norman. “That’s the way he farmed. He started in 1946 and he had no financial help.”
There was not much banking back in the days, said Norman, but his parents slowly built a great farm together. “They worked together on that farm for 73 years,” he said.
Sheila passed away earlier this year in February, and Emil moved to the Vilna Manor in March. “He had a real adjustment when she passed away, and when he had to move,” acknowledged Norman.
While his parents may not have had a perfect marriage, they always got along and stood by each other through thick and thin, says Norman.
“They always looked after each other.”
Emil was recognized by the County of St. Paul on Nov. 4.
Coun. Dale Hedrick presented a plaque to the long-time County resident in honour of the milestone birthday, and said the gesture was a symbol of appreciation.
“I’ve been his councillor for the past six years,” said Hedrick, and presenting the plaque to Starosielski “was a great honour.”
