William “Bill” Nowosad
13 Oct 1918 - 26 May 2011 (aged 92)
Bill Nowosad played guitar with various Ukrainian bands.
He was the third child born to Peter and Tetiana (nee Kukurudz) Nowosad. He received his education at the Hollybourne School in the Grandview area. Following his schooling, he worked on the family farm.
On November 8, 1941, Bill was united in marriage to Anne Kuzyk in Petlura, Manitoba. Following their marriage, they lived with Bill’s parents and they both helped out on the family farm. Bill found work in Fort William, Ontario in a bush camp where he worked for one winter. Upon his return, Bill and Anne purchased a farm in the Petlura district where they farmed a mixed farming operation. It was during this time that their three children, Boris, Eleanor Doris and Patricia Ann were born.
In 1979, they retired from farming and moved to the town of Roblin, where they have resided ever since. Bill spent his early years in Roblin working at the Co-Op Lumber Yard.
Bill was a member of the Holy Ascension Ukrainian Catholic Church in Petlura, and served on the Parish Council Executive for the church and the parish hall. Later, he became a member of the Holy Redeemer Ukrainian Catholic Church in Roblin. Bill also served as School Trustee of Pozir School for a number of years.
In Bill’s early days, he spent a great deal of his time reading, in particular, pocketbook westerns and mysteries. He always enjoyed watching sports on television, and among his favorites were baseball and hockey. Bill was also an avid fisherman enjoying his excursions to Lake of the Prairies, spending countless hours in his boat on the lake. He enjoyed his grandchildren, watching them grow and flourish, and spending time with each of them whenever he could. In the last several years, he accepted his new role as “Great-Gido” with pride, with the addition of each of his great-grandchildren.
Bill’s greatest love was music, and Ukrainian music in particular. He began his musical journey at the age of 13 years, first playing the Hawaiian guitar, then the tenor banjo and finally switching to violin. He teamed up with various musicians through the years playing various house parties and weddings. In 1959, Bill and his son Boris started their own band, firstly called the Valley River Playboys and a year later was renamed the Melody Kings. Bill played tenor banjo in the band and later on switched to electric bass guitar – the instrument he played until he finished his career in the late 1990’s. The band was successful throughout the years, performing at functions all across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, including various radio and television programs. Bill was also a part of 8 recordings done by the Melody Kings, leaving behind a legacy that will live on for future generations.
In May 2010, Bill was recognized by the Ukrainian Musicians’ Association with a Manitoba Legendary Achievement Award. This honour was presented to him in recognition of his musical contribution and preservation of Ukrainian culture and heritage throughout his musical career.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Tetiana; siblings, Matt Nowosad, Nellie Yuriy and Irene Wade. He was also predeceased by his son-in-law, Dan Zimmer and daughter-in-law, Adeline Nowosad.
Bill leaves behind a loving family who will cherish his memory forever: his wife, Anne of 69 years; one son, Boris Nowosad and friend Jan Smith of Dauphin; two daughters, Eleanor Zimmer of Beaumont, Alberta and Pat and husband Don Cross of Roblin; 8 grandchildren, Pamela and husband David Federowich of Dauphin, Sherise Nowosad and friend Pat Podjan of Brandon, Amber and husband Colin Gingell of Kelowna, British Columbia, Derrick Zimmer and wife Jennifer of Leduc, Alberta, Stacy and husband Scott Otteson of Okotoks, Alberta, Devin Cross of Steinbach, Chelsea Cross and friend Aaron Smith of Airdrie, Alberta, Jacy Cross of Roblin; 10 great-grandchildren, Dawson and Marin Federowich, Jillian Hoffman, Addison and Caleb Gingell, Jayden, Joshua and Danica Zimmer, Liam and Grayce Otteson. Bill also leaves behind 2 sisters, Anne Zdebiak of Port Alberni, British Columbia and Mary Chuchmuch of Winnipeg, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.
