GEORGE KERRY and MARLENE (HNATIUK) GULEY
BAND: "LONESOME VALLEY PALS"
George Guley was born April 1st, 1933 in Claire Saskatchewan. Ukrainian Music was his passion. At age 13, he earned money trapping to buy his first violin. He and neighbor, Paul Kralkay, taught themselves to play and tune their instruments by ear. George played the violin and Paul played the banjo and guitar. George and Paul would book the Paswegin Hall near Wadena, Saskatchewan to play Ukrainian music which allowed them to become known in the community.
In 1954, the family moved to a farm 10 miles north of Ashville, Manitoba. George continued to practice his violin. Between 1957 and 1959, he met a couple of gentlemen, Morris Yakimishen, who played the accordion, and Mike Bilous, who played the guitar. They formed the original Lonesome Valley Play Boys. They would perform at house parties, dances, 25th and 50th anniversaries in communities such as Garland, Zelana, Venlaw, Halicz and Valley River.
On May 17th 1958, George married Marlene Hnatiuk at Gilbert Plains. Marlene was born October 31st, 1940. Marlene's brothers, Tom, Alex, Mike, Peter, Nick, Bill, and Morris were talented musicians that played many instruments including the cymbaly. At that time Marlene did not play an instrument but loved Ukrainian Music.
In the early 70's, George took up playing with Mike Pacholok, Tony Baschuk, Bill and Gerry Musey, Steven Roznowski, and Sam Hucal as the new Lonesome Valley Play Boys.
Marlene appreciated the passion that George had for playing Ukrainian music. Around 1972 they bought an accordion and cymbaly. George taught Marlene to play the cymbaly and her younger sister, Elsie, to play the accordion by ear. Marlene and Elsie practiced their instruments in any spare time that they had; and with tears, frustrations, and laughter, George could hear their music. They formed the Lonesome Valley Pals and had fun playing together. Everyone looked forward to spending their Sunday afternoons practicing and they started to play at house parties and community socials.
Around 1978, George and Marlene decided it was time to introduce their children to music.
Sunday afternoons were now spent teaching their children to play an instrument by ear. The Lonesome Valley Pals became an official family band with George on the violin, Marlene on the cymbaly, daughter Arlene on the accordion, son George Jr., on the accordion as well as the guitar and son, Mike, also on the guitar. George had his sister-in-law, Velma Skehar, sew a couple sets of western shirts as 'band shirts'. The family band played at many socials, weddings, New Year's Dances, and yard parties in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. There were few weekends that the band was not playing at a function.
They both loved Ukrainian Music and it was never about money for George and Marlene, they just wanted to play for the sake of playing. George's dream of having a family band came true.
Their children are deeply grateful for the appreciation of Ukrainian culture and music that was taught to them.
The music has ended but melody lives on; George and Marlene are resting peacefully at the Riverside Cemetery in Dauphin, Manitoba.
Vichyna Pamyat!
