Sharyn Wasiluk

Sharyn Wasiluk, was born Sharyn Kay Hallquist March 18th, 1947 in Jamestown, New York.  Daughter of Merle and Katharine Hallquist, sister to C.R. Hallquist and Cynthia Woodin.  She graduated from Faulconer High School in 1965.  Always an avid horsewoman, Sharyn participated in numerous shows and rodeos, before finding her true passion on the racetrack.  Starting off as a groom and working her way into every role there is to Trainer and Pony Girl and eventually meeting her devoted husband Peter Wasiluk, at the racetrack in Pennsylvania.  Together they would stable at several tracks up and down the east coast, primarily making a home at Finger Lakes Racetrack in Farmington, NY.  They then would relocate to Tampa Bay Downs, in Tampa, FL in 2000, where they have remained since.  Peter and Sharyn would work along side one another for over 40 years in the racing industry.  Sharyn always described as hardworking and passionate.  She cared deeply for the animals and workers involved at every track she went to.  Always taking that extra initiative to be involved when she could, she served as President of the Genesee Valley Breeders Association for many years in New York and on the board of directors for the HBPA at Tampa Bay Downs.  She was highly involved in the Racetrack Chaplaincy and served as President of the Tampa Bay Downs chapter for over 20 years.  Her greatest passion always was her family, in particular her children, Philip and Jaclyn and then later her grandchildren, Noah, Elijah, and Jordyn.  Sharyn’s true joy was spending time with those she loved and helping with her grandchildren, whether it was teaching them to swim or ride her pony.  She truly had a heart of gold, and her generosity was endless, she led a life committed to God and her faith.  Her spirit will live on in all those who were blessed to have known her and be in her presence for it brought her great peace to have been surrounded by so much love. 

A mass will be held at Espirtu Santo on Monday, August 12th at 2:30pm.  In Lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to the RTCA Tampa Bay Downs Division P.O. Box 2211 Oldsmar.

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