MYCHAJLO LUKOWICH PUCHIR (MIKE)

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MYCHAJLO LUKOWICH PUCHIR (MIKE) Mychajlo Puchir, in his 87th year, left this world on August 11, 2011, as he lived, courageously. He was born on a small farm in Pryslip, near the town Turka, Ukraine to Luka and Kateryna Lymar's family of four sons. As a young man in his 20s, Mychajlo sailed fearlessly aboard a ship, the Georgic, to start a new life in Canada. Mychajlo's first job and residence in Canada was at the Sanatorium in St. Vital, Manitoba, and later trained and apprenticed as a barber. He wed Olena at St. Michael's Orthodox Church on Disraeli Ave in 1965 and later baptized their children Tara-Alexandria and Anne there. Mike gained employment at the Misericordia Hospital, where as a porter, he worked hard to provide for his family, retiring in 1990. He still found time to take us on various outings. Although Dad never reunited with his Ukrainian family, he did have a visit with a cousin, the late Michael Lymar of Australia. Dad appreciated his Winnipeg friends, especially the special people at St. Ivan's and Holy Trinity Orthodox churches who made him feel welcome as a newcomer to Canada. More recently, Dad and his family are grateful for the visits throughout his lengthy illness by long-time neighbour Tom, former neighbour Oskar and our late godfather's wife Melania and her family. We thank the Sisters, management, staff, volunteers and fellow residents of Holy Family Home, for their care and support. Special thanks to the St. Mary's Unit Team Leader nurse, June Moore and nurses, Helen and Marylou, who cared for Dad throughout his seven-year stay, and to Sister Joanne R.N. for her spiritual and corporal nursing. Thank you Dr. Babick for the long-term care of our Dad. We thank the Seven Oaks Hospital staff for rehabilitating Dad almost eight years ago and for being there for him, and us, when he left this world. Special thanks to Dr. Bialy and Spiritual Worker Helen for her prayers. Panachyda will be sung 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 17, at the Korban Funeral Chapel, 907 Main Street. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 18, at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Sts. Vladimir and Olga, 115 McGregor Street with the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Mitrat Michael Buyachok officiating. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. In his earlier years at Holy Family Home, Dad (a.k.a. Papa and Tato Mileh), sitting in his wheelchair, could be heard asking rhetorically in his native Ukrainian Where will we go? Beausejour? We pray that in his final hour the answer was VICHNAYA PAMYAT: Eternity with God. KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 16, 2011