William SHAHARIW

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SHAHARIW: William (Bill) M.D. January 4, 1919 – September 12, 2011. Bill passed away peacefully on September 12, 2011 at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria BC shortly after having said a loving good bye to his family. Born in Ukraine, Bill and his wife Agnes immigrated to Canada from Germany on Christmas Eve, 1949, and settled in Brandon, Manitoba, where he practiced as a solo family physician until his first retirement in 1990. When he and Agnes moved to Victoria that same year, he returned to part time work, enjoying his early shifts in the Operating Room at the Cowichan District Hospital and his days at the Lansdowne Medical Treatment Centre and the Royal Oak Centre Medical Clinic. Even his second retirement at 88 years of age was a reluctant one. Bill was clearly called to the practice of medicine, and dedicated his life to alleviating the suffering of others. Bill’s calling was also related to his deep faith in God, and in Brandon, he and Agnes helped to found Grace Mennonite Church – a community they attended faithfully throughout their decades in the ‘Wheat City.’ Bill lived an independent life until one week before he died. He enjoyed classical music, reading, watching the news, debating politics and economics, giving advice, and an occasional glass of Merlot. But most of all, he loved his family, with whom he visited regularly and spoke daily. He was especially fond of all his grandchildren and great grandchildren, who gave him great joy and pride. Bill was predeceased by his dear wife Agnes in 1991, and is survived by son Eugene (Katie) and daughters Betty (Bruce) and Valerie (John), several grandchildren and great grandchildren, and his special friend Kae. Bill’s family is deeply grateful to RJH’s CCU staff whose care of Bill would have met with his approval and was exemplary in every way. Special thanks to Drs. Fretz, Sochowski, Parton and Wood, and Nurses Andrea, Corinne, Deanna, Brenda, Barb, Heather, Kathryn, Tim, Team Leader Jason, and Social Worker Barb. A celebration of Bill’s life will take place on Saturday, September 24 at 10:00 a.m. at First Memorial Funeral Services Chapel, 4725 Falaise Drive, Victoria. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the Agnes and William Shahariw Memorial Scholarship at the University of Victoria, P.O. Box 3060, Victoria, BC V8W 3R4.

As published in Brandon Sun on Sep 20, 2011