JOSEPH NYCHUK

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JOSEPH NYCHUK Joseph Nychuk passed away peacefully at the Minnedosa Health Centre on December 21, 2003, after a short battle with cancer, at the age of 82. He will be sadly missed by his son Terry (Lorraine) of Thompson, MB; grandchildren, Michael and Michelle; his daughter Debbie (Brian) Keown of Brandon, MB; grandchildren, Sherry (Denis) Fontaine of Winnipeg, Steve (Erin) Keown of Brandon and Tony Keown of Brandon. He also leaves to mourn four great-grandchildren, Julie, Ashton, Aidan and Cassidy. In addition he leaves brothers, Gerald and Frank; sisters, Sophie, Rose and Nettie and many nieces and nephews. Joe was predeceased by his parents, Mary and Wasyl; brothers, Peter and Mike; infant sister Rose; sister Ann Wladyka; as well as his infant daughter Patricia. Joe was born in Vista, MB on December 15, 1921. Joe was a farmer, a butcher, a Solo Store owner and manager, and carpenter who built over 60 homes and he finished his careers as a flooring installer. Joe didnt have a degree or diploma but he was a skilled craftsman. He could fix almost anything or he knew how to get it fixed. He did not define himself by how others saw him. He had a job to do and he did it as well as he could. He always took pride in his work and it showed. People from miles around would seek him out because they knew of his reputation for quality workmanship and fairness. Joe used his gifts to enhance the world around him. He saw his surroundings as a project that needed tending. He would quickly volunteer to help others using his expertise to remodel a home or tend to a garden or landscaping project. Once he began a task he would persevere until it was completed. He took a lot of pride in knowing that he had helped others. Joe gave generously to his friends, family, and church of St. Elias. Growing up during the depression years, completing his education was not an option for Joe because it was necessary to help on the family farm. He always felt that education was extremely important and cared very deeply that his children and grandchildren should work towards a higher education. He encouraged and helped them towards this goal. Throughout his lifetime, Joe enjoyed many hobbies: golf, pool, cards, gardening, puzzles and in his earlier days, curling as well. He especially loved fishing; a day well spent always included a limit of pickerel. In his retirement years, he enjoyed travelling and sharing his adventures with his family. Funeral service was held on Saturday, December 27 in Rossburn, MB. Very Rev. Archpriest Victor Lomaszkiewicz led the service at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Elias. Pallbearers were his brother Frank; his grandsons, Steve, Michael and Tony and his nephews, Terry and Grant. The crossbearer was his brother Gerald. Joe is interred at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery in Vista. His family would like to express their appreciation, for the wonderful care and compassion Joe received from the nursing staff at the Minnedosa Health Centre during his brief stay. In lieu of flowers, sympathy can be expressed through donations to the fund for perpetual care of the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, in care of Mrs. Phyllis Kurchaba, P.O. Box 391, Rossburn, MB R0J 1V0. Raes Funeral Service of Shoal Lake and Erickson were in care of arrangements. (204) 759-2160.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 03, 2004