OSYP (JOSEPH) ROHALSKY

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

OSYP (JOSEPH) ROHALSKY Our dear father, Joseph passed away peacefully, at the age of 82, after a long and valiant battle with cancer, on Saturday, September 12, 2009. Joseph was born on April 3, 1927 in Markopil, Western Ukraine. During the beginning of the Second World War, he was sent at the age of fifteen to Germany to work as a forced labourer. He remained there until the end of the war. He eventually immigrated to England where he met his wife Maria. They lived happily in England until 1953 when they decided to immigrate to Canada to find a better life. They were sponsored and greatly helped in their early years in Canada by Joseph's cousin Sophia and her husband Andrew Wowkowych. During his life in Canada, Joseph was involved with several fraternal organizations. Most recently as a board member of Ukrainian Canadian Social Services and Zolotyj Vorota Seniors Club. He enjoyed music and was a member of Dumka Choir for many years. He also looked forward to attending weekly meetings at the Prosvita Seniors Club. Father had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and spent numerous hours reading books on a variety of subjects, most notably politics, history and geography. In his later years he learned to use the internet as a source of information. He embraced the value of higher education and vigorously encouraged his family to pursue it. Always willing to lend a helping hand, Joseph, on numerous occasions, selflessly helped other immigrants to establish themselves. He was a devoted husband and a loving father, who in his own often difficult life, faced his trials with dignity and strength; leaning on his unwavering Christian faith. He was predeceased by his parents, his only brother, his infant son Orest and his loving wife Maria. Left to cherish his memory is his son Walter (Rozalia), his cousin Sofia and his sister-in-law Kathy (Semen) Iskat along with numerous nieces and nephews in Canada, in Ukraine and Poland. Prayer (Panakhyda) services will be held 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 15, at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Sts. Vladimir and Olga, 115 McGregor St. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 16 also at the Cathedral with Rt. Rev. Msgr. Mitrat M. Buyachok officiating. Interment to follow in All Saints Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined. Instead, if desired, donations may be made in Joseph's name to Ukrainian Canadian Social Services, 235 McGregor St. or to the Canadian Cancer Society, MB Branch, 193 Sherbrook St. The family would like to thank Seven Oaks Hospital Oncology department for the care Father received during his initial treatments. Special thanks to the staff at Riverview Health Centre Palliative Care Unit 3 East for helping him through the last few difficult months of his illness. VICHNAYA PAM'YAT KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 15, 2009