The Shandruks came to Canada from the Ukraine in 1901 to Pozervil, Alberta. They came to Canmore in 1909. Kost worked in the mine from 1909 until 1942. Maria, his wife, passed away in 1948. They had eight children: Kalina and Henry were born in the Ukraine; Fornie, Rose, Joe, Helen, George and John were born in Canada.
The family home was in Prospect. It had a freshwater spring in the backyard. Also in the backyard were geese and ducks and a cow. Fornie would deliver milk with a cart pulled by a dog. The family also had horses which were used to go to Deadman’s Flats to catch wild horses from the Pigeon Mountain ridge. Kost’s first paid holiday was in 1942. He went to Banff Mineral Springs and passed away, never completing his first paid holiday.
Rose was born in Pozervil in 1907 and came to Canmore in 1909. Rose was married to Peter Eliuk. Peter was born in 1906 and died in 1978. He worked at the mine for forty-five years, retiring in 1971.
A son, Richard, was born in 1936. He worked for the Calgary Fire Department and eventually became a fire chief. Richard married Sylvia Cherak and they have three children: Ricky, Keith and Peter.
Rose is still living in Canmore.
In Canmore Seniors at the Summit, ed. Canmore Seniors Association, 2000, p. 261.
