HRYHORIJ (HARRY) STANOWYCH

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HRYHORIJ (HARRY) STANOWYCH It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather Hryhorij on Tuesday, October 10, 2000 at the age of 79. His memory will be cherished by his wife Anna Donna; daughters, Oksana (Mychailo Shpurko) and Marijka (Glenn Solar) grandchildren, Zenya and Nykola. He also leaves to mourn sisters, Rozalia (Symen Stanovych), Anastasia Spilchak and brother Oleksa Stanovych along with their children and grandchildren in Ukraine; sister-in-law Mary (Mike Edwards and their daughter Michelle) of Calgary, Alta. He was predeceased by his parents, Hnat and Maria Stanowych and brother Vasyl Stanowych of Dovhe, Ukraine. On March 4, 1921, Hryhorij was born in the scenic village of Dovhe at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains in Western Ukraine, Drohobytskyj region. It was not his fate, however to enjoy the beauty of his village for long. As for many young men, the cruelty of war separated this youth from his family and home. Turbulent events found Hryts making his way through Poland, Germany and Austria trying to survive work camps and cheating death on more that one occasion until he was blessed with the chance that brought him to the land of opportunity. Hryts found himself across the ocean in Canada. He came to Winnipeg in the winter of 1948 on contract to work as a tailor at Sterling Cloak where he worked for the next two years. After observing the Canadian way of life, and appreciating opportunities open to him in this country, Harry decided to follow in the footsteps of his own father who in Ukraine began a small retail business. Hryts would carry on the dream of his father. In 1950 his life in business began as part owner of Harrys Grocery Store which he operated until 1969. In 1963 he married Anna Donna Kosciuk. In Donna, Hryhorij had found a life long partner that was dedicated and devoted to him and appreciated the importance of the Church, family and the Ukrainian community as much as he. Together they would face the joys and hardships of the future. They were soon blessed with two daughters, Oksana and Marijka. In 1969 a new challenge was taken on in the form of a bigger business venture. Harry and Donna became owners and operators of Melody Lane Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge in Lockport, Man. In 1979 Melody Lane Trailer Park was acquired and it was here that Harry spent his working days until his retirement in 1993. Hryts loved his new found home in the country of Canada and was forever grateful for opportunities presented here. Hryhorijs thoughts, however were with his beloved Ukraine and the trials and triumphs she faced. His heart longed for a free Ukraine and a better life for her people thus he played an active role in Ukrainian organizations here in Canada. Early on he was one of the first members of the youth organization PLAST here in Winnipeg. Later he was an active member of and made notable contributions to the League for the Liberation of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Youth Organization S.U.M., Institute Prosvita and the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists. Hryhorijs great passion was for singing. Although a small man in stature, often difficult to spot in a crowd, his strong smooth tenor voice was never to be missed as it rang out in Ukrainian choirs such as the O.Koshetz choir, the Dumka choir and the Ukrainian Millennium Choir. Singing the songs of his homeland brought him ever closer to that little village of rolling hills, green pastures and the rippling water of the river Strij nearby. In song Hryhorij was at the place where his heart longed to be. Prayers will be sung 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 13 at Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, 115 McGregor St. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 14 also at the Cathedral with Rev. M. Kouts and Rev. Deacon M. Woroby officiating. Interment to follow in All Saints Cemetery. His Honorary pallbearers will be Dmytro Bosak, Yaroslaw Cwyk, Vasyl Hayowsky, Teodor Humeniuk, Vasyl Kucharsky and Petro Lostowsky. Active pallbearers will be two nephews Hryhorij Stanovych and Andrij Spilchak, Darek Wertepny, Piotr Wertepny, Sylvester Zlotucha and Ivan Kunets. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Hryhorijs memory to Ukrainian Youth Organizations S.U.M. or PLAST. Thank you to the doctors and nurses of 3rd floor, Unit 5 Seven Oaks Hospital for their compassion and care. VICHNAYA PAMYAT KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 12, 2000