WASYL WELHASCH

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WASYL WELHASCH It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Wasyl Welhasch, beloved husband of the late Sofia on May 10, 2010 at Seven Oaks Hospital, on the eve of his 90th birthday. Wasyl was born in the town of Humynets, Lviv region of Ukraine May 11, 1920. He will be deeply missed by his children, Stephan Welhasch (Maria), Marika Szkwarek (Harry) and Irena Welhasch Baerg (Ted); grandchildren Olena (Yuri), Taisa (Ernesto), Andriy (Michelle), Stefan (Karen), Lida, Danylo (Gabrielle), Sashko; great-grandchildren, Maya, Ariana, Findley and Liam. He will also be missed by his nieces Stephanie Kostiuk (David and Gregory) and Orysia Kostiuk Budyk (John), as well as many nieces and nephews in Ukraine. He was predeceased by his parents, Stephan and Paraskevia, and by his siblings Zonia, Olia, Ksenia, Kasia, Hannya, Marika and Mykhajlo, all in Ukraine. For many years, our father was an active member of Institute Prosvita, the League for the Liberation of Ukraine (LVU) and Progress Vera Credit Union, headed committees for Ridna Shkola (Ukrainian School) and the Ukrainian Youth Organization's (CYM) Mandolin Youth Orchestra. He was a huge fan of the IPAC Soccer Club during his son's era, and more recently enjoyed attending his grandchildren's soccer games. In his youth Wasyl was an active member of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and during the Second World War fought in the Ukrainian underground for Ukraine's independence. He met his wife Sofia in Belgium, married and started a family. In 1952 they immigrated to Winnipeg where Wasyl worked as a carpenter and painter. His last years of employment were with Bristol Aerospace. His devotion to his faith, family and community instilled the same values in his children. An avid reader of Ukrainian literature, he was a kind, gentle man of few words with a wonderful sense of humour. He loved telling stories of his youth and his dramatic escape from Eastern Europe during the Second World War. He had a passion for singing, was blessed with a beautiful tenor voice and was a long time member of Dumka Choir. A special thank you to Irena, Tato's homecare worker and the nurses on 5U. Prayers will be sung 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 14 at Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, 115 McGregor St. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 15 also at the Cathedral with Rt. Rev. Msgr. Mitrat M. Buyachok officiating. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sts. Vladimir and Olga Renovation Fund or Shevchenko Foundation. VICHNAYA PAMYAT KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 13, 2010