WALTER MICHALCHYSHYN

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WALTER MICHALCHYSHYN June 24, 1909 - September 1, 2000 Walter died on Friday, September 1, 2000, at the Health Sciences Centre, after a sudden illness, with his family by his side. He was predeceased by his parents, George and Katherine Michalchyshyn; his brother Jerry; his son Ray; and his daughter-in-law Christine. He will be sadly missed by his wife of 65 years, Catherine (Kuzyk) their children, Irene, Stella (Fred), Joe, Iyvan (Marta) daughter-in-law Betty; ten grandchildren, Bohdan, Ivanka, Michael (Ingrid), Angela, Paul, Carl (Joanna), Laura (Rick), Natalie (Jonathan), Ihor, Andriy; great-granddaughter Everan; brother Aemil; great-cousin Oleh and many other relatives. Walter Michalchyshyn was born on June 24, 1909, in Bychkivtsi, Chortkiv county, Western Ukraine. He was the youngest son of George and Katherine Michalchyshyn. Walters schooling was interrupted by the First World War. The war also separated the family from their father, who came to Canada in 1913. The family was reunited in 1919 and emigrated to Canada in early 1923, settling first in Portage la Prairie. Walter was a baker by trade, always joking that he chose this work because it was in a warm place, unlike his brothers who laboured on the CN railway. In 1935 he married Catherine Kuzyk, whom he met at the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Portage la Prairie. Together they moved first to Winnipeg and then, in 1938, to Brandon. In 1948, he bought the bakery in Shoal Lake, where he became a valued member of the local business community. The family moved back to Winnipeg in 1959, where Walter worked as a foreman at the Donut House until his retirement. Walter was a proud Canadian of Ukrainian descent. He was a lifelong, devoted member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. Blessed by God with a clear singing voice, he served his church as a "diak" (cantor), like his father before him who had taught him the art. He was deeply proud of his contribution to the building of Ukrainian Catholic Churches is Portage la Prairie, Brandon, Shoal Lake and Winnipeg. He was active in all of these parish communities. Well into his retirement he remained a participating member of the Parish Council, Mens Club and Seniors Club of St. Josephs Ukrainian Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, St. Nicholas Mutual Benefit Association and the Brotherhood of Ukrainian Catholics. He never lost sight of his civic duties, serving on the Shoal Lake Lions Club, and in Winnipeg, the Luxton Seniors Club. Dad will be remembered by his children for his lifelong respect for learning, his curiosity about the world and current events, his love of reading and his sense of humour. He will be remembered by his grandchildren for his great warmth, his ready laugh, and his many great stories. A self-educated man, Walter imbued his children and his grandchildren with a love of learning, a strong work ethic, and a deep faith, encouraging all of them to do their very best at school, at work, and in the community. He was a man of kindness, gentleness and fidelity, who in later years bore his increasing infirmity with dignity. We shall miss him deeply. The family wishes to thank the many Home Care workers, especially Arthur and Larry, who brightened his days, and the staff of Ward 3A of the Holy Family Nursing Home for the care they gave to our beloved husband, father and grandfather, during the last few months of his life. Prayers will be said on Tuesday, September 5 at 7:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 6 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Josephs Ukrainian Catholic Church, 250 Jefferson Ave. with the Redemptorist Fathers officiating. Interment at Holy Family Cemetery and a reception will follow in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, as expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Walters memory to Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Seminary, 1030 Baseline Road, Ottawa, Ont., K2C 0A6. VICHNAYA PAMYAT Cropo Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements, 586-8044.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 05, 2000