REV. DEACON JOHN RAYMOND SOKULSKI

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REV. DEACON JOHN RAYMOND SOKULSKI Peacefully, with his family by his side, Rev. Deacon John Raymond Sokulski fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at the Victoria General Hospital at the age of 84 years. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 33 years, Shirley; his daughter Cheryl (Mike) Lisowski and his beloved grandson Joshua, also his sister Stella Hancharyk of Winnipeg, brothers, Paul (Ollie) of Mississauga and Nick of Calgary, mother-in-law Anne Cychmistruk of The Pas, MB, brothers and sisters-in-law, Lawrence Cychmistruk of Ninette, MB, Rose (Don) Witt of Naples, FL, Jean (Garry) Christon of Calgary and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Deacon John was predeceased by his parents, Roman (1955) and Mary (1966); sisters, Anne (1990), Alice (1997); brothers, Steve (1994), Bill (1996) and Harry (1998). John was born January 20, 1924 in Ethelbert, MB, the fifth of nine children. He received his schooling in the Ethelbert area. At the age of 15, he served his country in the Second World War working with a heavy artillery unit. After his safe return home he settled in The Pas, MB in 1945, where he worked for Western Grocers, followed by 26 years as a salesman for Melrose Coffee and Brookbond. He then purchased and managed the New Avenue Hotel in The Pas, MB. Later, he opened his own electronic store. It was during this time that he met and later married his wife Shirley Cychmistruk. Together they moved to Winnipeg where their daughter Cheryl was born. John was an active member of the 141 Legion, as well as a Third Degree Knight and Charter Member of the Knights of Columbus Bishop Ladyka Council #9020, and a member of Holy Family Council #8499. A traffic accident in 1982 forced John to take an early retirement. He did not let the constant pain prevent him from living life to the fullest. John modelled the Christian ideal of suffering, offering his pain up to his Heavenly Master without complaint for the benefit of others. While still living in The Pas, he saw a need for a larger church to accommodate the growing Faithful, and was instrumental in the planning and construction of a new church and hall. He was very active in the Ukrainian Catholic Church as a cantor and choir director for many years in numerous parishes around Manitoba. His love for singing and the Church led to his education in the Diaconate. He was ordained a Deacon on July 18, 1992, the last Deacon to be ordained by the late Metropolitan Maxim Hermaniuk. Deacon John served the Faithful at Blessed Virgin Mary, and Holy Family parishes in Winnipeg, Vita and District, and Neepawa and District. Order of Burial for Bright Week will be sung 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 27 at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 737 Bannerman Ave. Funeral Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Friday March 28 also at the church. Many thanks to the doctors and staff of the Intensive Care Unit and Unit 5 North at the Victoria General Hospital for your kindness and caring. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Reverend Deacon John's name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg. I am the Resurrection and the Life, he who believes in Me, though he dies, yet shall live, and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. John 11:25-26 CHRYSTOS VOSKRES KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 25, 2008