MICHAEL GEORGE OSTRYZNIUK

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MICHAEL GEORGE OSTRYZNIUK June 19, 1935 - August 25, 2002 Husband and Tato His Computer sits there silent, His tools now lay untouched, So much of life still yet to live, Too soon, too young, to pass. We miss his voice already. We miss his humour and his smile, In our grief and tears we celebrate Mike, Who touched us all so much. God looked around His garden, And found an empty space, He then looked down upon the earth And saw your tired face. He put His arms around you, And lifted you to rest, Gods garden must be beautiful He takes only the best. He knew that you were suffering, He knew you were in pain. He knew the road was getting rough And the hills were hard to climb. So He closed your weary eyelids And whispered, "Peace be thine" It broke our hearts to lose you, But you did not go alone, For part of us went with you The day God called you home. It is with heavy heart that we announce the sudden, but peaceful, passing of our much beloved husband and father, Mike, whilst enjoying his new-found challenge of computers and the internet. Mike will be lovingly remembered by his beloved wife of 44 years, Sylvia (nee Storozuk) daughters, Patricia (Steven) and Cathy (Mike) son Peter; brother Jerry (Natalie) nephews, Evan and Vincent; and his extended family and friends. Mike was born in Winnipeg where he attended Machray Junior High, St. Johns High School, and Tec Voc where he studied to become an electrician. Mike received his Electrical Construction Apprenticeship certificate in 1958 and later added his journeymans certificate. Mike worked as an electrician before joining Holy Family Nursing Home in 1970 as its first plant superintendent, a position he held up until his retirement in June 2000. Never resting on his laurels, Mike also obtained his Operating Engineers certificate in 1971, followed by certificates for Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Control, and Fire Protection. Mike was born with a tenacious desire to conquer all challenges. He was a hard worker, who was gifted in his ability to solve problems. A man of few words, Mike treated all who met him compassionately and as his equal. Beset with more than his fair share of illness, Mike persevered using his usual tenacity in spite of his setbacks. He was ahead of his time in his desire to conserve energy and resources and he was definitely in his glory when with his hands and mind he brought new life to equipment others would judge as too far gone. His talent will be sorely missed, by both his family and church. Though modest, Mike was proud to acknowledge the part he played when Holy Family Nursing Home received an award for the lowest square foot operating costs for building and plant of all nursing homes throughout the city, a testament to his foresight and ability. Mike gave freely of his skills and knowledge, and was always the first to offer his help for those who needed it. Mike served on the executive of St. Andrews College for 10 years and also the executive of Holy Trinity Cathedral, and the executive of Holy Family Nursing Home. Mike tirelessly gave his time at Holy Trinity Cathedral, overseeing the maintenance of the building and maintaining the equipment in the boiler roomwe called it his second home. During winter, Mike visited the Cathedrals boiler room several times a day to fine-tune the equipment, selflessly trying to minimize the cost of the churchs crippling utility charges. He was ever ready with thermometer in pocket whenever needed. Mike took it upon himself to restore the bells of the Cathedral into operation, personally returning at each service to ring them, now they will ring in his honour. It would not be untrue to say that Mike through his actions donated his own fortune to the Holy Trinity Cathedral. A lifetime member of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Mike loved Ukrainian music, culture and the architecture of Ukrainian churches. While on holidays with his family, Mike insisted on stopping at every Ukrainian church along the way. We will long remember his endless collection of Polka music, which he enjoyed immensely. Never very far from his coffee cup, Mike loved his daily ritual of morning coffee from Tim Hortons. Recently with his family at his side, Mike fulfilled a lifelong dream of travelling to Australia and New Zealand, whilst attending his daughter Cathys wedding. He impressed all that met him with his kindness, dry sense of humour and his genuine interest in their lives. Mikes zest for knowledge showed through with his latest challenge of computers and the internet. He was determined to learn all he could. Though weak in body, Mikes mind was razor sharp, and the internet opened up a seemingly limitless arena of knowledge to his fingertips and also allowed him to connect to family and friends. We miss you and love you so very, very much. Our dear "Fast and fancy fingered Freddie" who loved his new-found computer hobby so much. Prayers will be said on Thursday, August 29 at 8:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 1175 Main St. Funeral rite will be held on Friday, August 30 at 11:00 a.m., also at the Cathedral. Interment in Glen Eden Memorial Gardens. A time of fellowship will follow in the parish hall. Flowers are gratefully declined. If you so desire, donations in Mikes memory may be made to Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 1175 Main St., Winnipeg, MB R2W 3S4 or Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada Foundation, 9 St. Johns Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2W 1G8, or St. Andrews College in Winnipeg. Honorary pallbearers: Johnny Bohonus, Taras Monastryski. Pallbearers: Orest Storoziuk, Steven Smart, Joe Koropas, Fred Russin, Larry Cooley, Andy Gorun. VICHNAYA PAMYAT Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN EDEN FUNERAL HOME 4477 MAIN STREET 338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 29, 2002