His agility, skill and passion for rugby presented many opportunities to play on a number of teams as well as travel to tournaments in Newfoundland, Ireland, Texas, Alabama and Bali.  He was a member of the "rugby" family, a sports enthusiast in general, and a talented athlete who also participated in broomball, kickboxing, hockey, tae kwon do and Ukrainian dancing.

Mervin was a kind, caring, fun-loving, free-spirited and generous person.  Family and friends were very important to him.  Attending family gatherings was a priority and he always made every effort to attend.  Mervin and a number of friends gathered annually at the Calgary Stampede.  He also visited with Uncle Andy Popadynec in London, England every year.

He will be lovingly remembered by his parents, Barney and Mary Popadynec, brothers and sisters,  Anne Hall, children Sharon and Neale,  Marilyn (Emil) Kohuch, children Alexander and Adina,  Janice Popadynec (Ron Marlatte),  Darlene (Kevin) Cooper, children Sarah, David and Kathryn,  Eugene,  Carol (Dale) Pederson, children Jillian and Jason,  David (Karen), children April, Eric and Allison,  Gerard (Paulette), children Chris, James and Kodi,  Joan Popadynec (Art Michener) and  Sheldon, as well as all his aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was predeceased by his grandparents,  Mike and Annie Popadynec, Mike and Katherine Petryshyn, and nephew Micheal Hall.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

A memorial will be held Saturday, November 2, 2002 at the Wynyard Civic Centre at 2:00 p.m., Wynyard, Saskatchewan.  Funeral services and internment to be announced.