William Shurniak (1931 - 2020)

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Bill Shurniak, on the occasion of receiving the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General (photo by Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall © OSGG, 2017)

William Shurniak, the founder of the Shurniak Art Gallery in Assiniboia, Sask., died Aug. 8.

Shurniak was born on the family farm at Limerick, Sask., and spent 35 years in the banking industry. 

In 1984, he became executive director and chief financial officer of Hutchison Whampoa Limited, and remained a part of the Li Ka-shing group of companies for the rest of his life.

"Bill was very proud of the fact that during the summer of 2019, he had completed 70 years of working, and effectively only had two employers and had worked for over 35 years for each," his obituary noted.

Shurniak, a passionate art collector, moved back to Canada in 2005 to open the art gallery, which he built as a home for his collection and as a gift to the province. 

He has received numerous honours including the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal, the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.

A private family funeral service will be held Aug. 15. Due to the pandemic, Ross Funeral Service has scheduled Zoom meeting for 2 p.m. that day. 

A book of condolences will be available at the gallery from Aug. 18 to Aug. 31.

Source: legacy.com