WILLIAM KUCHMY

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WILLIAM KUCHMY With deep sorrow we announce the death of our cousin, friend and mentor on April 13, 2002 at the Seven Oaks General Hospital, after a brief illness. William (Bill) Kuchmy was born in Winnipeg on October 3, 1932 and lived his whole life in Winnipegs North End. He grew up surrounded by music and learned to play the accordion and the piano. After completing high school at Isaac Newton in 1949 with top honours, he devoted himself to studying piano with his cousin, John Kuchmy, and with Leonard Heaton. Bills musical talents were treasured in Winnipegs Ukrainian community and beyond. He cherished friendships with many people in Winnipegs and Canadas arts communities and enjoyed visiting his cousins in Alberta. Bill maintained a lifelong love of literature; he continually acquired books and read widely. He was a lifetime member of the Bronte Society. He enjoyed long, detailed, in-depth conversations on any subject, especially history, politics, movies, religion, business, science, medicine, technology, chess and, of course, music. Bill taught piano and music theory out of his home for his entire adult life and was the consummate music teacher. Thanks to Bills exceptional knowledge and understanding of music and art and his patient and meticulous teaching, he imparted an extraordinary musical education to his pupils. He was dearly loved by his piano students and was a mentor to many. An only child, Bill was predeceased by his beloved parents, Stefan and Mary Kuchmy; his uncle Michael Rybak; and his cousin Nadia Crosby-Jones. He is survived by his cousins, Lisa (Barrie) Rush, Brett (Janis) Crosby-Jones, Philip Crosby-Jones, Terry (Margaret) Guta and Oksana (Jack) Kuryk. A funeral celebrating Bills life will be held on Friday, May 3 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. Interment will follow at Brookside Cemetery. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the charity of their choice. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 03, 2002