OLEXA MELNYK

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

OLEXA MELNYK Peacefully, in the arms of the love of his life, his beloved wife Nadia, Olexa, aged 91 years, passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2005 at Seven Oaks Hospital, surrounded by his family. Olexa was born on March 13, 1914 to Anastasia Lesyszyn and Iwan Melnyk in Zawadiw, Stryj, Western Ukraine. He developed a love for sports and was an avid cyclist, played competitive volleyball and was president of the Sokil sports club in his home town. In 1950, Olexa immigrated with his family to Canada. Before settling in Winnipeg, he spent eight happy, productive years in St. Lazare, MB, a little french town near the Saskatchewan border. He served St. Lazare and it's surrounding communities as a skilled and well respected barber. In 1958, Olexa and his family relocated to Winnipeg becoming a founding partner of Central Products and Foods Ltd., where he worked until his retirement. Olexa was a leading member of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), Ukrainian National Front, League for Ukrainians's Liberation, Ukrainian Youth Association, Ukrainian Institute Prosvita and Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral. He was a past board member of the Shevchenko Foundation and St. Nicholas Mutual. Besides his loving and devoted wife of 66 years, Nadia, Olexa leaves to cherish his memory his children, Wolodymyra Kramarczuk (Myron), Andrew Melnyk (Nadia), Anna Maria (Mary) Stefaniuk (George); grandchildren, Kalyna (Myron), Motria (Elmer), Dennis, John, Adam (Christine), Maryna, Tymon; great-grandchildren, Roksanna, Areta, Oles, Quin, Luke and Quinn; beloved sister Anastasia Mazur and all his family in Ukraine. Besides his parents, Olexa was predeceased by his nine month old infant daughter Iryna, for whom he had a special place in his heart; his brother Mykola and sister Marijka Olynyk in Ukraine. Olexa was a wise, warm, kind and considerate person. His good nature and amiable manner brought out a natural affinity for entertaining family and friends. He had an appropriate anecdote for every occasion. He will be sorely missed by all whose lives he touched. Prayers will be sung 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 4 at Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, 115 McGregor St. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 5 also at the Cathedral with Rt. Rev. Msgr. Mitrat M. Buyachok officiating. Interment will follow in All saints Cemetery. Heartfelt thanks are extended to Dr. Patel and the nursing staff of U5 at Seven Oaks Hospital for their compassionate, tender care of our husband and father, to Dr. Tatiana Panaskevich and Dr. Vasyl Stefurak for their concern and consultation and to Rt. Rev. Msgr. Mitrat M. Buyachok for his pastoral care. Although Mom was our father's primary care giver for the past 12 years, we would also like to thank Robert from Home Care for his weekly assistance. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Institute Prosvita, 777 Pritchard Ave., Winnipeg, R2W 0E8 or Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, 206-114 McGregor St., Winnipeg, R2W 5J7. VICHNAYA PAMYAT KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 03, 2006