NICHOLAS (MYKOLA) SUCHYNSKY

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NICHOLAS (MYKOLA) SUCHYNSKY Beloved Husband of Stella (Stephania) Suchynsky (Yanyk). Passed away on October 26, 2007 at the age of 88 years at St. Boniface Hospital. Besides his loving wife Stella, he is survived by daughters, Nadia Malchuk, Darlene Joss (Mitch), Marie Ziesmann (Ed), Helen Hunter (Curtis) of Winnipeg, and son Donald (Karen) Suchynsky of Langley, BC, grandchildren, Dale, Dawn, Derek (Shelly) Joss; Angela DoCouto (Tony), Michael Malchuk; Jeffrey, Brittney and Ryan Suchynsky; Kristen, Stacie and Dylan Hunter; great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Vincent. He also leaves to mourn his passing numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, many nieces and nephews in Canada and Ukraine, including Maria Haddock and Bohdan Suchynsky. He was predeceased by his son Taras (1955); and natural family all in Ukraine, parents Simeon and Ahaphia (Dudar) Suchynsky and siblings, Mihaylo, Ktsenia, Stephan, and Marynia. Other than Nicholas, Andrew and Eugenia Suchynsky were the sole Suchynsky family members residing in Canada and who have also passed on. Once married to Stella, the Yanyk Family embraced Mykola as their own. Nicholas was born August 4, 1919, in Trostanetz Zolochiw, Lvivska Oblast, Western Ukraine. Growing up he was passionate about his homeland and his Greek Catholic Faith. He entered the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) fighting for the Ukrainian language, culture, the spirit of his nation, and most of all for his Greek Catholic Faith. During the Second World War, he was in Remini, Italy in a displaced persons camp; it was at this time that he was given the opportunity to study a two year Cantoring Course, receiving his Certificate on April 29, 1947. After the war, Nicholas settled in England where he formed a Men's Ukrainian Choral Music Ensemble, which toured England. When he immigrated to Canada in 1948, he taught music and Ukrainian/Religion classes at various Ukrainian Catholic parishes in rural Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In Olha, MB, he met and fell in love with Stella who sang in his church choir. They married on November 14, 1953 and moved to Winnipeg to start their life together. Nicholas joined and was cantor at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church and also a cantor at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church. In his earlier years, he was an active member of the Institute Prosvita and supported various Ukrainian organizations. He maintained an interest in politics and current affairs of the Ukraine and Canada. He was employed for many years at St. Boniface General Hospital retiring in 1985. Nicholas was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a quiet and humble man who lived to spend time with his family. When able, he also supported his remaining family members in Ukraine. Nicholas was gifted with a beautiful voice and loved to sing, teach music, dance and socialize. He enjoyed watching and discussing sports, especially hockey and football; travelling and visits with extended family especially trips back home' to Stella's homestead in Oakburn, Manitoba. He celebrated life simply and with joy! The family would like to thank the health care staff, disciplines, nurses and doctors over the course of Tat's hospitalization for the special care they provided at St. Boniface and Shoal Lake Hospitals. A special thank you to Dr. N. Rush for her caring attention to our Dad and to Fr. J. Mostivsky for being present with us and with Tato during Tat's final journey to his eternal resting place with the Lord. Thank you to the Basilian Fathers and our family and friends, near and far, for their support, prayers, love and Mass Offerings. Thank you to the Pallbearers: Donald Suchynsky, Dale Joss, Michael Malchuk, Derek Joss, Curtis Hunter, Ed Ziesmann, Mitch Mansky and Bohdan Suchynsky. Prayers will be held on Thursday, November 1 at 7:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Divine Liturgy will be held Friday, November 2 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 737 Bannerman Ave., with the Basilian Fathers with Fr. Zachary Shwaluk officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Family Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in Nicholas's memory may be made to St. Nicholas Church Improvement Fund, Ukrainian Catholic News Progress or St. Boniface General Hospital Foundation. Vichnaya Pam'yat Memories Forever CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 01, 2007