JOHN DUBIK

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JOHN DUBIK John was born on January 19, 1919 in the town of Citula (Yaroslaw) in Western Ukraine. As a youth he helped his family weave fabric for their neighbours and worked on the family farm. The war cut short his youth. As a medic in the Ukrainian Galician Army, he saw action in many historic battles including Brody, Ukraine. He was taken a political prisoner by the Polish army and served 8 years in harsh prison conditions. During this time, his family was forcibly resettled from Ukraine into Poland and their land was confiscated by order of Aktsia Visla. Following his release from prison, he reunited with his family, this time in Poland. In 1953 he married Katherine Dubyk and had three daughters, Mariyka, Myroslava and Irka(+). Through the kind sponsorship of Katherine's late brother Oleksa and late sister Paranya the new family immigrated to Canada in 1959. In Canada, John found work at Etna Heating where he worked until his retirement. During this time, he reconnected with his many friends from Ukraine and often helped them with their many home improvement projects. The church was a very important part of his life and he was an active member of St. Nicholas Church and Men's Club. After he retired each week he would don his #1 Perogy Maker apron and helped the women of the parish make perogies! John reveled in the tapestry of the passing seasons! The arrival of the first robin was observed as keenly as any bug attacking his precious tomatoes and apple trees! His Beefsteak tomatoes were legendary and his apple crop was a time to phone up his friends to come over and pick some apples even if they had their own overabundant supply! John's was the happiest as a Dido. With the birth of his first grandson Adrian in 1984, followed by Oleh, Orest and Andrij that he found his calling. Every year since the birth of his boys until he was no longer able to make the trip due to failing health, Dido Ivan would arrive in Toronto for the entire month of October to be with his boys. His hand made toys, tire swings and stories were as reliable as the seasons. The boys took Dido apple picking, on hayrides and trips to Ottawa, Hawkestone and even Akron, Ohio! When little Olenka was born he came to Toronto to watch her take her first steps and marvel at his only granddaughter! Each year he looked forward to the camaraderie of his two sons-in-law Bohdan Leshchyshen and Yurij Wodoslawsky. John passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2006 with his loving wife of 53 years Katherine, Myroslava and Mariyka by his side. He was predeceased by his daughter Irene. Panachyda/prayers to be held at St. Nicholas Church on Tuesday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m. Liturgy to be held at St. Nicholas Church on Wednesday, September 20 at 10:00 a.m. followed by interment at Holy Family Cemetery. VICHNAYA PAMYAT

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 19, 2006