Remembering Joe Sawchuk
In Memory of Joe Sawchuk and his love of baseball
Joseph William Sawchuk passed away peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021 at Brampton Civic Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Frances, father of Jeff, father-in-law to his wife Sylvia Varga and the proud grandfather of Jenna and Jack.
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Joe was born on April 7th, 1938, the son of Wasyl and Paulina (Dowbush) Sawchuk, who came to Canada from the Ukraine. Born and raised in Toronto, Joe was the youngest of nine siblings, and would hit the streets with his life long friends.
Joe was very creative, and worked as a graphic designer for Ontario Hydro for 37 years. He was also a life long reader and continued to educate himself until the end. Joe had an encyclopaedic knowledge about many things, and sports was one of the many. He had vast knowledge of the Detroit Red Wings, and was also known to be a legendary ball hockey player from Saint Peter’s school. Although Joe enjoyed hockey, his real passion was for baseball.
A hard hitting third basemen for Columbus Boys club and Carmen Bush, he grew up playing ball at Christie Pits and then coached for Perth, Scarborough and High Park. He was one of the finest umpires in the city and umpired briefly in the majors when the umpires union was on strike. He handled the dish with ease. Also, working the World Series, Joe was an official scorekeeper for the Blue Jays, and with over 25 years experience never missed an opportunity to give an error when a cut off was over thrown.
Joe’s legacy lives on through his son and grandson’s love of the game, and his granddaughter’s creativity!
In honour of Joe, donations can be made to West Toronto Baseball (High Park) so they can continue building and enhancing the West Toronto diamond to ensure future baseballers can have the best experience like Joe did.
Like they say in baseball, Joe – you may be “outta here” but your legacy and memories will continue on.
A get together for Joe will be held once we can bring all of his friends together for a night of stories and celebration.