George Goruk

May 21, 1929 - October 9, 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of George Goruk on October 9, 2022 at the Red Deer Regional Hospital at the age of 93.
He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Katherine; three sons, Dennis, Darrell (Nenita) and Bernie as well as ten grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
George (known as Geedo to his family) was born on the family homestead North of Bellis Alberta on May 21, 1929. He was the third son of a family of eight born to William and Jennie (nee Strayski) Goruk who were among the earliest settlers in the Bellis area northeast of Edmonton.
He met his wife Katherine (Shupenia) in Edwand Alberta and the two were married on August 8, 1948 with their wedding reception held in the loft of the newly built barn on the family farm. They farmed for one year near Edwand and then moved to Edmonton where George started his career in the oil industry.
They moved to Red Deer Alberta in 1959 and with the support of Katherine in 1962 George started Target Well Servicing. In 1972 they purchased a farm along the Medicine River near Sylvan Lake and ran a cow/calf operation while he continued to run Target which was acquired by Thomson Industries and eventually became part of ATCO.
While with Thomson and ATCO, he established service rig operations in Wyoming, Texas and Australia. He also added coiled tubing services, nitrogen/pumping services and oilfield rental and supply businesses. He participated in the 1987 Alberta Trade Mission to Russia and also sat on the board of the Service Rig Division of the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC) and the Red Deer Westerner.
George retired as President of ATCO Oilfield Services in 1994 but continued to raise registered Quarter Horses and cattle and with help from his sons (and Katherine) continued to farm what eventually became a hay and grain operation.
One of his proudest achievements was being inducted into the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame in 2016 in recognition of his contributions to the industry as a builder and innovator.
For many years George owned a boat and enjoyed fishing and developed a passion for golf and was a long-time member of the Red Deer Golf and Country Club. George and Katherine also enjoyed travelling throughout the US, Caribbean, Australia and Europe having visited the Ukraine on two occasions.
For a few years they spent part of the winter months in Hawaii and then started travelling to Mesa Arizona in their motorhome every winter until their mid eighties.
George is also survived by his two remaining brothers Peter (Gert) and Nick (Doreen). In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by brothers John, Metro, Andy, Phillip and sister Mary Larson as well as daughter-in-law Carole and grandson Byron.
Funeral Service will be held on Monday October 17, 2022 at 1:00 pm at the Red Deer Funeral Home and Celebration Centre (6150-67 St, Red Deer, AB) with viewing from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. Interment to follow at Alto Reste Cemetery, Red Deer.
To leave condolences for the family, please visit: www.reddeerfuneralhome.com


Red Deer Funeral Home