Jason Scott Chernyk

At 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3, 1974, Jason Scott Chernyk entered the world at the Swan River hospital weighing in at 9 lbs, 23 ¼ inches long to Lawrence and Joanne Chernyk and big sister Lesley.  Right from birth Jason was a happy, content little fella, he was always smiling.  If his tummy was full, he was happy.  At 4 weeks old he could hold his head up.  As Jason grew up, playing with toy cars and tucks was his favorite and they went everywhere with him in a little carrying case he had to put them in.

Jason entered the sports world at age 5.  He started playing hockey, soon becoming an excellent skater.  As he grew it became very apparent that Jason was gifted at all the sports he played.  He was an excellent runner in track and field; he was solid and sturdy on his feet running and playing lacrosse.  His hockey speed and stick handling was his gift.  Because of his abilities in hockey at age 12 Jason was protected by the Saskatoon Blades.  The summer he was 15 Jason and his dad rented land next to our farm in Preeceville, Sk.  Jason did all the seeding and maintaining of the crops and with the money he earned he bought himself a 1971 Barracuda, this was a passion he shared with this dad.  Lawrence at 19 years old had a 1970 Cuda.

At age 15, Jason and his buddy Cory Gulka were billeted out to played hockey for the Tisdale Trojans, a triple A Midget team, where they played for 2 years.  Jason was also chosen to play for team Saskatchewan in the 1991 Canada Games that were held in Prince Edward Island.  Jason came home to graduate from grade 12.  That summer after graduating, Jason had to decide where he would play come the fall, whether with the Portage Terriers or the Brandon Wheat Kings.  It was a difficult decision for him and he discovered that there was something that he loved even more than hockey…….her name was Marla Christensen!  And so the next chapter began……

Jason and Marla met as teenagers, and it was a love story right from the beginning.  Jason was head over heels instantly, and the feelings were mutual from Marla.  He would take her out on dates in his super cool car, the Cuda. All of Marla’s friends thought she had hit the jackpot as he was the just the greatest guy.  They had an undeniable connection and anyone that knew them knew they would last forever.  They dated for 6 years and then got engaged in 1996, Jason proposed at Nelson Lake, at the Gulka family cabin.  Marla and Jason had been out in B.C for a family anniversary, Jason had come home from B.C a bit sooner than her.  He picked her up at the airport upon her return and he seemed a bit unusually jittery.  He suggested they stop at Gulka’s cabin and go for a walk, and that is when he popped the question.  The fun of wedding planning began, and they were married the next summer, July 5, 1997.

Jason took a job with Manitoba Hydro and then moved on from there to Louisianna Pacific where he worked his way up to a shift Supervisor position.  He worked for LP for 10 years before deciding to take over Rough Country Sports.  Rough Country Sports eventually transitioned into Rough Country Agriculture.  Jason had extremely good foresight into seeing what Rough Country could become.  He worked tirelessly and always put in long hours to ensure the success of the business.  He started the business with 3 employees and grew it to 11 full time staff members. Jason and Lawrence purchased some farmland and over the years they loved to grow anything on the land, from wheat to peas, canola and hay.

Jason loved playing Rec hockey with the “Outlaws”.  He loved the shenanigans, practical jokes and camaraderie with all the guys.  He valued the friendship’s on and off the ice.

Jason proudly joined the Canadian Rangers in 2021.  He enjoyed the training exercises and excursions.  He loved the idea of helping people in need and providing service.  Jason was honoured to be chosen from a very select few Rangers to attend a training exercise in B.C with the Canadian navy last April.  Unfortunately, he was unable to attend due to health difficulties.  Thank you to the Swan River Canadian Rangers for being Jason’s Paul Bearers today, he would be honoured to have you do this for him.

After a long wait and much anticipation miracle baby, Jemma arrived in the world.  Jason was the proudest dad and was instantly in love with his baby girl.  He loved watching her learn and grow and enjoyed each age and stage of her life.  They loved to wrestle each other on the floor to see who would pin each other first.  The “Crazy Kitties” – Jemma’s team name, would take on “the Laughing Hyena’s” – Jason’s team name, in the most epic hallway soccer games.  The winner won bragging rights until the next epic game would take place.  Jason and Marla loved to travel and cherished every family trip with Jemma.  A family favorite was Universal Studios.  They couldn’t get enough of the rollercoasters and rides.  Jemma inherited her dad’s athletic ability, soft heart and kindness.  Jemma can take with her the knowledge that her dad loved her beyond measure.

The Chernyk family would like to extend a special thank you to the Rough Country family, you have all made such an effort to keep our business running smoothly and kept as much stress and burden away from Jason over the last several months.  Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we cannot express enough our gratitude and gratefulness for all of you.

Marla would like to say a heartfelt Thank you to all that offered encouragement, yard work, snow shovelling, meals, calls, treats and messages of concern and well wishes throughout Jason’s battle.  We as a family were truly taken aback and overwhelmed in the best way possible with everyone’s kindness and love.  Our hearts were so full.  I believe that at the end of our days if we can look back and say our lives were important to others and we felt cherished and loved then it is a truly blessed life.  Jason felt that, so thank you.

A special Thank you goes out to my tribe of family and friends who dropped everything and rushed to surround us with love and support at the most difficult times.  You stepped in and took over when we were unable to.  We love you!

To Lawrence and Joanne, thank you for bringing the most beautiful human into this world.  We will remember and cherish him.  He was loved deeply!