James ‘Jim’ Olinyk
December 10, 1939 – September 1, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that the family announces the passing of James ‘Jim’ Olinyk. Jim was born on December 10, 1939, in Edmonton, AB and was registered as James Mitrawka. He later changed his last name to Olinyk. His mother Mary remarried an Olinyk and she placed Jim, his brother Merv and his sister Jeanie in an orphanage in Saskatoon. She remarried once again and went to pick up her children but by then Jim had already been fostered to Wes and Elsie Ingram of Valley Springs Ranch at Borden, SK. Jim lived there along with David Horn and David Ingram, attending Thistledale School and then Borden High School. He quit school after grade 10 and worked for local farmers. In 1964 he attended Kelsey Institute to take carpentry and in 1968 he became a Certified Journeyman Carpenter. He worked at Wollaston Mines then went to work for Ed Nelson out of Elk Point, AB, building Co-Op stores across the Prairie Provinces. The Borden Co-Op was one of those buildings. Jim resigned from the Carpentry Union in 1973 and moved back to Borden to run the ranch, raising purebred Hereford cattle.
Jim renewed acquittance with Lorraine Pidwerbesky (nee Orchard) and on November 5th, 1982, they were married. They lived on the acreage ½ mile west of Borden where Lorraine still resides. Jim and Lorraine continued ranching and farming her land until Jim sold the ranch and cattle. The next businesses were corral cleaning and custom combining in the area for Jim, eventually retiring from both. They sold Lorraine’s cattle after a few years and then raised Quarter horses and Paints for 3 or 4 years. He resumed working for various local farmers, especially at harvest time. Jim also had a weekly tour to enjoy coffee and visiting with his various friends in the community and surrounding areas.
In those early years of marriage, Jim golfed a great deal at Borden and he and Lorraine did quite a bit of golfing at a multitude of tournaments in NW Saskatchewan, bringing home several prizes and trophies. They also travelled to New Zealand to visit Bryan, stopping in Hawaii and Maui to golf as well as golfing on various New Zealand courses. Jim bought a motorhome in the ‘80s and they toured in the States, going to Las Vegas and Arizona. The couple also saw the Craven performances and went to Edmonton to see Willie Nelson in concert. Although Jim didn’t travel as often later, he continued to golf at the Borden course.
Jim was always proud of his stepchildren, Bryan, Todd and Sheri, and their accomplishments throughout life. He enjoyed his grandchildren, Duncan, Rachel and Nikolai, immensely, and loved attending and hearing about their many activities, sporting events and awards.
Jim started feeling unwell in the fall of 2025 with diabetes related illnesses. He had gangrene of his toe, with resulting surgeries. After this was dealt with and resolved, he enjoyed the spring and early summer of 2026, doing minor improvements around the house and yard. Early in August of that year, Jim developed breathing problems and was diagnosed with end stage lung cancer. After a short but courageous battle, he passed away peacefully at the age of 86 in the early morning of September 1st in St. Paul’s Hospital.
Jim is lovingly remembered by his wife of 43 years, Lorraine; his stepchildren Bryan (Helen) Pidwerbesky, Todd Pidwerbesky and Sheri (Glenn) Sutherland; his grandchildren Duncan Sutherland, Rachel Sutherland (Liam Martin) and Nikolai Pidwerbesky (Alice); Lorraine’s sister Pat Orchard (Mel) and her family; Jim’s brother Merv (Barb) Olinyk and his family. He will be missed by extended family members and dear friends.
A farewell gathering will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2026, 2:00 p.m. at the Borden Community Centre, 301 1st Ave, Borden, SK S0K 0N0.
Donations may be given to St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation, 1702 – 20th Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0Z9 or Borden Golf Course, Box 150, Borden, SK, S0K 0N0.
Arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.
