Alexander Sarchuk

Alexander A. Sarchuk

The Honourable Alexander A. Sarchuk, Q.C. (Al), 84, passed peacefully on Wednesday, February 18. He will be missed by his devoted wife, Terry, his children Renee (Tom), Leslie (Derek), Alex (Nancy) and Nancy (François), sister Helena, as well as his grandchildren Tasia, Joe, Lena, Hannah and Lily. Great-grandson, Oscar Alexander, will hear many wonderful stories.

Born in Hafford, Saskatchewan to Wasyl and Anastasia, Al was raised in Manitoba and always remained a Ukrainian prairie boy at heart. He spent his youth in Winnipeg where he attended Daniel McIntyre Collegiate and where he started his family with Connie. He received both his B.A. (1951) and Law Degree (1955) from the University of Manitoba and was called to the Manitoba Bar in 1955.

Al's remarkable career spanned 50 years, from his time as Counsel for the Attorney General and Director of Prosecutions of Manitoba in the 50s and 60s, through the 70s in his role as Senior Counsel with the Department of Justice in Ottawa. He was particularly proud of the work he did spearheading Canada's gun control laws at that time. Then, after several years in private practice in Winnipeg, he was appointed to the Federal Tax Court of Canada in 1983 and served until 2005. Al's work was his passion and, when it came to the law, he was widely recognized as one of the best. A Department of Justice profile had this to say about him,

"He was a complex man who could be charming when he wanted to be and cold as steel when he didn't. But it is his mind that is said to have fascinated. It was quick, incisive and incredibly agile. Principled but pragmatic, he approached his work with an unusual brand of intellect and instinct, common sense and political savvy."

Al was also a passionate traveller, an accomplished chef and a lover of fine wine. He circled the globe in his quest for knowledge and a magnificent meal. He was in his element each year when he brought all his children and grandchildren together for a Thanksgiving weekend with all the trimmings. More recently, he retired to the serenity of his home and garden, in the company of his ever-present beagle, and, until just two years ago, continued to make an annual pilgrimage to his favourite Caribbean beach for a walk.

We will hold a celebration of Al's life early this summer, in Winnipeg, the place he always thought of as home. Details of this gathering to follow. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.