NICHOLAS (MYKOLA) ZYLA

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NICHOLAS (MYKOLA) ZYLA March 15, 1917 - June 11, 2010 With family at his side, Nicholas passed away peacefully at age 93. Nicholas was the fourth of eight children born to Ivan and Pelagia in the village of Malniwska Wola, in Western Ukraine. In 1942 during the war, he and his lifelong friend Steve Horon were taken to Germany as forced-labourers. After liberation he found his way to the U.N.R.A. displaced persons' camp in Bayreuth, Germany where he met and married his beloved wife Tekla and where daughter Daria was born. He was fortunate to have an uncle, Harry Zyla, who sponsored their immigration to Canada in 1949. After Nicholas secured permanent employment at Manitoba Rolling Mills, the family settled in East Selkirk. In 1953, Nicholas along with his wife and friends, built their first house in West Selkirk. He worked at M.R.M. for 31 years before retiring in 1981. He was a religious man and was a founding member of Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Selkirk, proudly serving as an elder brother and volunteering for the church throughout his life. His services were honoured by the Metropolitan of Canada during the parish's 50th Anniversary in 2005. An unschooled man, he taught himself many skills through sheer determination and perseverance - if it's broken, it can be fixed! A hard-working, practical man he enjoyed the beauty of flowers, especially the red geraniums that were a regular feature for many years. He was proud of his heritage and supported numerous Ukrainian cultural and social groups. In his younger years he carved and decorated Easter eggs and picture frames with traditional Ukrainian designs, which he proudly displayed in his home. He and Tekla (Teena) were always generous in their hospitality. Family, good friends and relatives will fondly remember the Christmas dinners that they hosted for many years. Neighbours and visitors rarely left without a share of the bounty from their garden. Always fiercely independent, Nicholas and Tekla continued living at home and gardening until last year. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Tekla, of 63 years; his daughter Daria and son Zachary of Winnipeg; his son John and children Adam, Stephen, and Alycia of Winnipeg; and daughter Natalie (Blaine) Morien and their sons Michael and Christopher of Saskatoon. He will also be remembered by Norma Zyla, his cousin Peter's wife and their daughters, Pamela and Mishelle; his cousin Helen Kaminsky and family of Beausejour; the surviving members of the Rozak family of Poplarfield; and many beloved nieces and nephews in Ukraine. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 19, 2010 at Holy Eucharist Church, corner of Pacific Avenue and Sophia Street in Selkirk. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Nicholas' memory may be made to the Holy Eucharist Church in Selkirk, Holy Family Nursing Home in Winnipeg or charity of your choice. He was a good and decent man who tried to live righteously. He was loved and will be missed. Vichnaya Pam'yat - Rest in Peace Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 16, 2010