DMYTRO JAKYMECZKO

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DMYTRO JAKYMECZKO Peacefully on Friday, July 20, 2012, at the Lions Prairie Manor, Portage, Dmytro Jakymeczko of Portage la Prairie passed away at the age of 89 years. Prayers will be held in the chapel of the Omega Funeral Home on Tuesday evening, July 24, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, July 25 , 2012, in the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption with Reverend Father Michael Tkachuk officiating. Interment will follow in Hillside Cemetery. Dmytro was born on March 4, 1923, son of Semen and Olena Jakymeczko in Jamnycia, Stanyslawiw, Western Ukraine where he was raised and received his education. He farmed with his parents before he began to work for the Ukraine Railroad. In 1943, he enlisted with the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, fighting for the freedom of Ukraine against the German and Russian Armies. After his capture by the Hungarians he fought against the Russian Army with the German Army. On June 18, 1951, he immigrated to Canada and settled in the Portage la Prairie District. Here he began working with the CN Railroad on track maintenance, working for 35 years until his retirement in 1986. In 1956, he married Anne Grawberger who predeceased him in 1990. In 1991, he married Nellie Gumowsky and they continued to live in Portage. Dmytro was a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption and served as president and secretary for the parish council. He was the founder and treasurer for the Ukrainian Catholic Church Bingo and was instrumental in the building of the new church. He also sang in the church choir, was a member of Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood, Ukrainian Canadian League, benefactor of the Ukrainian Taras Shvenchenko Foundation, a founder of the Ukrainian Education Cultural Centre, Winnipeg. In 2001, he was knighted into the Knights of St. Vladimir. His favorite past time was reading and working around the church and helping neighbours, and traveling back to the Ukraine where he went to visit his mother and brother. Predeceased by his parents, his brother Yaroslow, his first wife Anne, his second wife Nellie, he leaves to mourn his passing three step-daughters; Marlene Hochbaum of Winnipeg, Sylvia (Lyle) Henderson of Portage, Helen (Wally) Tschekalin of Winnipeg, grandchildren; Joanne (Ian), Molly, Susanna, Valerie (Don), and Kelly (Kim), great-grandchildren: Jarret, Brooke, Parker, Liam and Anna as well as many family members in the Ukraine. Should friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption, Box 1276, 620-1st St. NW, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1Z7. Condolences may be sent to the family c/o Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Road South, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, R1N 1T8, 1-800-303-4621 or friends may leave a message of sympathy on our web site www.omegafuneralhome.com "Dedicated to those we serve". "Vichnaya Pam'yat"

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 23, 2012