JERRY SZACH

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JERRY SZACH November 7, 1930 - June 12, 2013 With deep sadness we announce the death of Jerry Szach of Vancouver on June 12, 2013, in his 83rd year. Jerry was born to Ukrainian immigrant parents on November 7, 1930 in the vibrant cultural mix of Winnipeg's North End. As a child of the Depression, he experienced a grinding poverty that he transformed into a lifelong pursuit of social justice and the support of progressive political causes. After graduating from Isaac Newton High School in 1948, Jerry began his working career in Winnipeg, eventually building houses with his father Sam. In 1959, he left Winnipeg and built his own home on the slopes of Seymour Mountain in North Vancouver. In 1961, he married Marjorie Knox (nee Semeniuk), another former Winnipegger, and they shared over 40 years of marriage together. Jerry went into the travel business and in 1970 he established Travel Unlimited, the first unionized travel agency in British Columbia. The agency opened offices in Vancouver and Winnipeg, and later expanded to Regina. Jerry retired in 1989, but retained his love of travel as he and Marge explored various destinations around the world. Jerry's political ideals found a natural complement in his passion for music, especially folk music. He was a founding member and the last survivor of the Milestones, a folk group that sang proudly in support of the peace movement and other progressive goals throughout British Columbia and beyond. After losing his beloved Marge, Jerry continued to live independently in his North Shore home. He kept his mind sharp by reading books, following current events and watching the markets. In 2009, he engaged his love of writing by publishing the article Playing in the Shadow of the Ukrainian Labour Temple in Manitoba History: the Journal of the Manitoba Historical Society. He faithfully attended a Thursday luncheon group in Chinatown, a tradition that lasted over 40 years and was recently acknowledged in the local media. He pursued his commitment to a healthier world by composting in his back yard and by making daily cleanup walks in his neighbourhood. Jerry died on his terms - peacefully and in his own home. He was predeceased by his father Sam in 1969, his mother Mary in 1995 and his wife Marge in 2001. He is survived by Marge's son Bryant Knox of Vancouver, Bryant's wife Linda and their daughters (Jerry's granddaughters) Leanne (Chris) and Alisa; his brother Eugene of Winnipeg, Eugene's wife Doreen Penneys and their daughter (Jerry's niece) Natasha; Marge's niece Cheryl Inkster of Vancouver, Cheryl's husband Joe and their children Tania (Martin) and Joseph; and many extended family members and friends across Canada and abroad. At Jerry's prior direction, his body has been cremated and there will be no formal service. However, a memorial lunch is being planned for Saturday, July 6 in Vancouver. If you can't get there, find a friend, pull out a guitar and raise a glass to celebrate a life well-lived. Also, contributions in Jerry's memory may be made to Inter Pares or Oxfam Canada to support development in Latin America.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 22, 2013