WASYL (BILL) MAKOTA

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WASYL (BILL) MAKOTA With heavy hearts, but wonderful memories, we sadly announce the death of our dearly beloved Wasyl Bill Makota, age 84 years, at Prince County Hospital, Summerside, PEI, on the evening of September 26, 2012. Formerly of Winnipeg and Grand Marais, Manitoba. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Margaret (nee Nawalkowski), daughter Daria Valkenburg (Pieter), son Gary, granddaughter Kalyna and her mother Jennifer Kitchen, sister Helen Stasiw, brother George (Maria), sister-in-law Sophia Makota, and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents, son Tony, brothers Anton and Alexander, and sister Joanne Feduniw. Wasyl was born in Bolekhiv, Ukraine to Nicolas Makota and Maria Halus. His rural childhood was interrupted by occupying forces during the Second World War and shortly after his 14th birthday was on his way to Germany where he was sent to work in a bakery in Bad Pyrmont. After the Second World War he spent two years in Camp Ohio in Burgdorf for displaced persons, and from there went to work in the coal mines in England. In 1951 he immigrated to Canada and at a church picnic in Winnipeg he met the love of his life Margaret, whom he married a year later. Wasyl was well known for his musical ability and played in a band throughout his years in Camp Burgdorf and in England, earning letters of commendation for raising the morale of the war weary. His musical career continued during his early years in Winnipeg, where he played at many weddings, and made recordings. After a few years of establishing himself in his new country, Wasyl went into the coin machine and amusement games industry in Winnipeg, and with Margaret ran Playland Amusement Park in Grand Marais until Margaret's ill health caused them to retire. They built their dream retirement home in Grand Marais and lived there until Wasyl's ill health in 2011. In August, 2011, they moved to Prince Edward Island where their daughter and son-in-law live, and Wasyl told his sister Helen several times that he felt he had come home. The view from his windows was the same as the one from their childhood home in Bolekhiv, at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Always cheerful and optimistic, Wasyl's illness reduced his active lifestyle but not his mind. He turned his attention to studying and researching his family history, busy with projects to the end. The family would like to thank Dr. H. Visser and staff, Dr. Ian Reid and staff, Palliative Care Home Care Program, the medical staff at Prince County Hospital that cared for him in his last days, and staff at the Cancer Treatment Centres in Summerside and Charlottetown for their compassion and care in making his life comfortable. Funeral Celebration of his life will take place Monday, October 1, 2012, at South Shore United Church, Tryon at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Tryon People's Cemetery. In memory of Wasyl, donations may be made to Prince County Hospital Foundation. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for tulip bulbs to be planted in Wasyl's memory at his home in North Tryon. Arrangements entrusted to Dawson Funeral Home, Crapaud, PEI

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 29, 2012