MICHAEL WASKIW

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MICHAEL WASKIW 1919 - 2009 Suddenly, but peacefully, after a series of illnesses, Michael Waskiw passed away on Wednesday evening, June 17, 2009. He was surrounded by his loving family in his room at the Seven Oaks General Hospital. Michael was 90 years of age. Michael was predeceased by his parents and by his four brothers and four sisters, all in Ukraine. Michael was born in the village of Sprinia, in the area of Sambir, Western Ukraine, on May 4, 1919. His formative years were spent in war-ridden Ukraine where he experienced many hardships and personal losses. During the latter war years Michael found himself in the English zone, before arriving in Canada in 1947. His fellow displaced Ukrainians led Mike to travel and settle in various parts of Canada, back and forth, Winnipeg to Fort William, to Yorkton, Saskatoon, Toronto, St. Catharines, and Hamilton. Michael was a happy wanderer. He met his wife of almost 60 years, Anastasia Szysz, in Yorkton and followed her to Toronto, then to Winnipeg, where they were married. Mike and Anna had two children, Eugene and Mary (Wachniak). Michael picked up the skill of cooking and began a career as a chef in the camps of NW Ontario. Over the years he owned several small restaurants, notably in Beausejour, in Beamsville, Ontario, and in Winnipeg on Logan Avenue, adjacent to his good friends at J. Wachniak Sons Auction. He spent several seasons as a chef on the freighters of the Great Lakes, before finally returning to Winnipeg with his young family in 1966. Mike ended his cooking career after almost two decades at Eaton's in Winnipeg. He retired in 1978. Michael and his family were faithful and active members of the Ukrainian Catholic community and, in particular, the Cathedral of Sts. Vladimir and Olga. Mike loved to visit the various Ukrainian festivals of the summer, notably Dauphin, Gardenton, and Cooks Creek. He was generous in his support of many events, organizations, and charities. Michael leaves to mourn his dear wife Anna, son Eugene, daughter Mary and her husband John (Wachniak), and his loving granddaughters Alyssa and Kristen, all of Winnipeg. There are numerous nieces and nephews in Ukraine. Many of his friends and contemporaries in Winnipeg and across Canada predeceased him. Gigi and Tato will be sadly missed. The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the 5th floor of the Seven Oaks General Hospital for their very special care and compassion. The family also wishes to acknowledge the caring assistance of the home care workers who visited and assisted Michael in his recent short stay at home. Prayers (Panakhyda) will be sung 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, at Korban Funeral Chapel, 907 Main St. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 24, at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Sts. Vladimir and Olga, 115 McGregor St. with Rt. Rev. Msgr. Mitrat M. Buyachok officiating. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. VICHNAYA PAM'YAT Korban Funeral Chapel 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 20, 2009