ROMAN DMYTRO SMOOK

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ROMAN DMYTRO SMOOK Roman Dmytro Smook of Stuartburn, MB died peacefully on Monday, April 28, 2003 at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg after a six-month battle with heart and kidney disease. He was 75. He is survived by his wife Mary of Stuartburn; and his two children, Angela Ann and John Andrew, both of Winnipeg, MB; he was predeceased by his parents, John and Wasylyna, of Stuartburn. Roman was born on November 5, 1927 in Stuartburn, where he lived his entire life. As a boy, he devotedly helped his parents on their farm, while still attending grade school in Stuartburn. When he graduated at the age of 17, Roman decided to pursue a career in teaching. He went to Normal School in Winnipeg for one year, after which he received his teaching certificate. In 1955, through his chosen profession, Roman met his future wife, Mary: he was her teacher. After a five-year courtship, the couple was married at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church in Rosa, MB. They had their first child, Angela, in 1965. While he felt blessed to have a daughter, Roman still had a longing for a son. His inner desire was finally granted when Mary gave birth to their second child, John, in 1972. When the new Grade 4-12 Collegiate was being built in Vita, MB, Roman was invited to become the Industrial Arts instructor. To fulfil the position, Roman needed to go back to school. Over five years from 1969-1973, he attended summer sessions at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Education) degree in Industrial Arts. Roman continued in his I.A. role until he finally retired in 1987, culminating 40 years as a teacher. Possessing an exceptional gift for building, designing, and fixing anything, Romans talent assisted hundreds of students during his career, and blessed his family. Roman fully enjoyed his retirement. He had the opportunity to pursue his many loves and passions, including woodworking, photography, tinkering on his new computer, reading, working in his yard, filling in the daily crossword with Mary, and studying the weather patterns and stars in the sky. Most importantly, he had more time to spend with his wife, and to give advice to his now-adult children. Roman was a loving husband and father who always placed his family first in his life. He was a cheerful man who wouldnt hesitate to help out a friend or a stranger. While he will be greatly missed, his family is relieved that Roman was able to find peace with God and in his faith during his final days on earth. The family would like to thank all of the doctors and hospital staff of the Health Sciences Centre, especially the Dialysis Unit 6B, Medicine GA4, Rehab 6, and MICU, for their dedicated service and special care of Roman during these past months. Prayers for Roman Dmytro will be held at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church, 590 Alverstone St., in Winnipeg on Thursday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy services will take place on Friday, May 2 at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Stuartburn at 10:30 a.m., with Fr. Ihor Royik presiding and Lew Kurdydyk cantoring. Interment will follow at the Holy Trinity (Old) Cemetery. There will be a reception at the Shevchenko Ukrainian Centre in Rosa, MB after the services. Pallbearers will be Lawrence Andrusyk, David Drewniak, Michael Jerlo, Bill Mandziuk, Richard Pohrebniuk, and John Witwicki. John Mandziuk is an honorary pallbearer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, the Kidney Foundation of Canada (Manitoba), or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. KHRYSTOS VOSKRES! LOEWEN Funeral Chapel 5 Chrysler Gate - Steinbach - 326-1351

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 30, 2003