MICHAEL JEROME HARASYM -

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MICHAEL JEROME HARASYM 1928 - 2013 On Saturday, February 16, 2013 Mike Harasym passed away peacefully in his sleep, at home with family at his side, after a lengthy battle with cancer, at the age of 84 years. Mike was first diagnosed with colon cancer in April 2006 at which time his first operation to treat his ailment began. Mike was born on June 28, 1928, the fifth child of six to Jessie and Wasyl Harasym on the family homestead at Okno, MB (eight miles directly North of Arborg, MB). Mike was predeceased by his father 1973, mother 1981, infant brother John 1920, brother Bill 1988, brother Theo 2002, sister Anne 2004 and his oldest son Theodore William (Theo) in 2001. Mike is survived by his loving wife Kae, of 60 years, his sons Robert (Linda and granddaughter Rosalyn), Lorette, MB, and Kenneth, Winnipeg, daughter-in-law Lori, Beaconia, MB (grandson Mathew, Winnipeg), and his sister Mary of Arborg, MB. The family moved to the town of Arborg in August 1928 in order that convenient schooling would be available for the children. Mike received his education at the Ardal Public School and on completion of his high school education began his first permanent job in 1947 with the Arborg Farmer's Co-op. During his schooling days Mike found various types of work in order to provide for himself and not be a burden on his parents. Life was happy and good while growing up in Arborg and Mike learned many lessons of life, especially in the mid 1930s while seeing how some of the less fortunate families survived. Through life, Mikes learning of life in the 1930s stayed with him and he did not like to see good things going to waste. Mike started to work with the British American Oil Company in 1949 at Arborg, and was transferred to Winnipeg in 1951. During a lay off period in the winter of 1950/1951 Mike worked at a logging camp in Aimsdale, ON, handling eight foot logs from the bush to the C.P. Rail gondola cars. Mike and Kathleen Eyolfson (Vidir/Arborg, daughter of Wilberg and Freda Eyolfson) were married at the Ardal Lutheran Church, Arborg, on Mike's 24th birthday, June 28, 1952. Mike and Kae made their home in Winnipeg until 1956 when Mike was transferred to Flin Flon, MB, to open up a new branch for the British American Oil Co. Kae and Mike had two sons born in Flin Flon, Theodore in 1958 and Robert in 1961. Mike was transferred to Brandon on December 15, 1963 where he managed the B.A. Oil Co. Terminal which later amalgamated with Gulf Oil and Anglo Canadian Oil. While in Brandon Kae and Mike's third son Kenneth was born in 1966. Again on January 1, 1972 the Brandon Gulf Oil facilities were amalgamated with Winnipeg and Mike was transferred to Winnipeg in the same capacity. Mike retired on April 30, 1986 in Winnipeg. Through the years, especially while the children were growing, Mike, Kae and the family enjoyed traveling with a house trailer in tow, to various locations across Canada and the United States. A summer cottage was maintained in Minneapolis from 1969 until it was sold in 2005. During the past few years, Mike treasured time spent with family and enjoyed days relaxing in his back yard or in his beautiful home of 42 years, reminiscing over all the wonderful years of his life. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at Joy Lutheran Church, 50 Barnes Street, Winnipeg with Pastor Ed Mitchler officiating. Burial will be in the family plot at Assumption Cemetery, 3990 Portage Ave., Winnipeg. Special thanks to all the doctors, nurses and medical staff who helped add years to Mike's life, and offered kindness and compassion along the way. Richard Wojcik, Funeral Director of Wojcik's Funeral Chapel Crematorium, is in care of arrangements, 204-897-4665.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 21, 2013