BROTHER JOHN KANSKI

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BROTHER JOHN KANSKI On the morning of February 28, 2007, Brother John Peter Kanski, C.Ss.R. departed from this life in the hope of life eternal, where the sound of those celebrating never ceases, and where there is no end to the delight of those who behold the ineffable beauty of God's Face. He was lovingly welcomed into this world by his parents Peter and Mary (Kordonowy) on April 8, 1923, in Springfield, Oregon, and later baptized on April 15 at St. Mary's Parish in Eugene, Oregon. Being one of 15 children, John grew up learning to share and be considerate of others. Three years later the family moved to North Dakota. The Second World War soon interrupted John's closely-knit family life, like many other families, when he entered the US Armed Forces. He served in the Philippines, Japan and Germany from 1945 to 1948 and his love for his family and friends was expressed in his many letters. Military training revealed John's gift of self-discipline. This served him well as he contemplated how to serve God in the years that followed. At the fullness of time John answered God's call by joining the Redemptorists. This meant in a sense leaving the comfort of one's family and country for another, to live with his Canadian neighbours. His first profession of vows was on April 7, 1956, a special milestone in his journey to surrendering his life to God completely. He dedicated the balance of his days to Christ the Redeemer by professing perpetual vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience on April 7, 1959, in the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. It was customary at that time to take a religious name so John, perhaps because of his love for the Mother of God, answered to the name Brother Gabriel. Brotherhood is a special vocation in community life (one that keeps those work-oriented focused on a wholesome prayer life). As a brother, Gabriel was a valued and loved community member wherever he was appointed over the next few decades, be it in Yorkton, SK; Roblin, MB; Washington, D.C.; or Newark, NJ. His silent witness to morning prayer, devotion to Mary, deep love of the Eucharist, Stations of the Cross, regular monthly retreat days and community recreation was . . . profound. The very life of the Yorkton Province, diminished by his absence, will hopefully be sustained by his prayerful intercession. In day-to-day ways he will be missed whether in the sacristy, caring for the material demands of monastery and church maintenance, gardening, shopping for food, paying bills or ensuring that others take time to relax with a good football game. These more routine tasks performed with love and duty, with time, gave way to a new type of surrender that each person faces in life. Despite his noteworthy work ethic for years, John's illness over the last year and a half was God's invitation to surrender more and more. The loving care of his physician made this somewhat easier. Brother John (like many others taking his baptismal name after the Second Vatican Council) had numerous hobbies of fishing, sports, antique, stamp and coin collecting, holy card collecting, lamp making, gardening and going for coffee with friends. These activities gave him meaning in life as much as the many humble and menial tasks he performed without complaint. Brother John is survived by three sisters, Betty (Paul) Haverluk, Richland, WA, Ann (Roy) Basaraba, Belfield, ND, Sister Rose Margaret Kanski, SSMI, Sloatsburg, NY; four brothers, Nick Kanski, Fairfield, ND, Steve (Janice) Kanski, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Freddie Kanski and Harry (Leona) Kanski of Dickinson, ND; numerous nieces and nephews, his Redemptorist family and loads of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Helen (Walter) Malkowski, Irene (Thomas) Klym and Josephine (William) Klym; and four brothers, William, Nicholas, Sam (Margaret) and Peter Jr. (Martha). Prayers (Parastas with a Knights of Columbus and Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood honour guard) will be celebrated on Sunday, March 4, 2007, at 7:30 pm at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton, SK. The service will be preceded by the Rosary led by the St. Mary's altar boys and the responses led by St. Mary's Funeral choir. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Monday March 5, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's. On Tuesday, March 6, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. the Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Winnipeg, MB, with interment to follow at Holy Family Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Blessed Bishop Vasyl Velychkovsky Martyr's Shrine, 250 Jefferson Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2V 0M6. Funeral arrangements are with Bailey's Funeral Home, Yorkton, SK. Grant Him Eternal Rest! Vichnaya Pamyat!

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 03, 2007