Longtime harness racing industry participant Joseph "Joe" Soloninko of Wroxton, Sask. passed away on Nov. 24, 2024, two weeks after his 90th birthday.

Joseph Soloninko was born Nov. 10, 1934 the fourth of six children to William and Annie Soloninko on the family farm in the Wroxton district. He attended school in Wroxton and following Grade 9, he farmed with his parents.

Joe met Mary Dereniwsky at a town dance in Kamsack and after their courtship they were united in marriage on July 28, 1956, at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church at Whitebeech, Saskatchewan. After their marriage they continued farming with Joe's parents and the winter months they spent in Vancouver, B.C. where Joe worked at a plywood factory and Mary at the hospital. They did this for two winter seasons before they decided to start a farm of their own, where they raised their five children, Debra, Donald, Denise, Darcy, and Dione.

Joe attended the Reisch American School of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa, receiving his diploma on Dec. 13, 1969. He then started Soloninko Auction Service, conducting a number farm auctions in the area.

Joe also served on council in the R.M. of Calder. He held the position of councillor for six years in Division 3 and Reeve for 20 years. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a board member of the Kamsack and District Nursing Home for many years.

Joe enjoyed dancing, singing, and playing all sorts of card games. His favourite game was cribbage, especially when he could peg an extra point or two thinking nobody noticed. Joe also showed an interest in music, purchasing himself a guitar, violin, accordion, and harmonica with the hope of teaching himself how to play them.

Joe loved horses. In 1992 he purchased his first Standardbred pacer which was the first of many. He spent a lot of time at various racetracks all over western Canada. You could find Joe every Friday night on the grandstand in Yorkton, watching his horses run in various races. When the Yorkton Exhibition discontinued racing in Yorkton in 2009, he stopped racing but never sold his horses. He enjoyed walking out and spoiling them with grain every day and just looking at them.

Joe was predeceased by his wife Mary in 2021. His parents, William & Annie Soloninko, his mother and father-in-law, Peter and Petrunia Dereniwsky, siblings and in laws, Walter & Rose Soloninko, Mary & Bill Kindiak, Olga & Steve Minchuk, Betty & Clint Harper, Mike Zeleny, Anita & Metro Chypyha, Dan Dereniwsky, Paul Dereniwsky, John Dereniwsky, Frank Slobodian, and nephew Ken Dereniwsky.

Joe leaves to cherish in his memory, his children, Debra (Dick) Haas, Donald (Dana) Soloninko, Denise (Jody) Fuchs, Darcy (Brenda) Soloninko, and Dione (Terry) Cherneski, his grandchildren, Levi Haas, Katelyn (Drew) Putland, Kalandra (Travis) Buzinski, Luke (Abbey Kaeding) Soloninko, Madison (Baron Lauer) Fuchs, Jessica Kitzul, Matthew (Lysandra) Kitzul, Kyle (Kennedy) Cherneski, Colby (Tyra MacDonald) Cherneski, Chris (Dallas McFarlane) Cherneski and his great grandchildren, Eliza & LJ Haas, Kylie, Dani & Kenzie Putland, Aubree & Maverick Buzinski, sister Victoria (Don) Steele, sisters in law, Delores Dereniwsky, Vickie Dereniwsky, Marge Dereniwsky, Sally Slobodian and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Service of Comfort was held on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Crystal Bailey, Certified Celebrant officiating. The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Rev. Fr. Basil Malowany officiating. Responses were led by Lorne Stechyshyn and the members of the funeral choir. The cross bearer was Kyle Cherneski. Katelyn Putland and Kalandra Buzinski delivered the tribute. Denise Fuchs, accompanied by Neil Ottenbreit sang "Go Rest High on That Mountain". The interment followed in the Garden of St. Luke, Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Luke Soloninko serving as urn bearer.

Memorial donations may be made to Paws & Claws or to STARS Air Ambulance as gifts of remembrance.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Joe Soloninko.