WALTER BERESTIANSKY

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WALTER BERESTIANSKY With profound sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of our father, grandfather and great-grandfather Walter Berestiansky on Sunday May 2, 2004 at the age of 84, at the Grace Hospice. Surrounded by his family, he ended his long struggle with cancer. We would like to thank the staff of Grace Hospice for their compassionate care during his last months. He is survived by his sons, John (Christine), Bohdan (Heather) his granddaughters, Leona (Eugene) Sembrat, Julia Berestiansky and Melanie Berestin; his grandsons, Mark Berestiansky and Jonathan Berestin; and his great-granddaughters Meira Sembrat. He is predeceased by his wife Mary Berestiansky; his parents Anna and Berestiansky; his sister Stella; his brother Eugene; and most recently his beloved grandson Gregory. Hie will be deeply missed and forever loved by all of his family. Walter was born January 17, 1920 in Selo Slobidka Strusiwka, Raion Terebowlia, Ternopil Oblast, Ukraine. He was the son of John Berestiansky and Anna Dzinbak. He was educated in Terebowlia and followed his father to Canada, arriving in Halifax on February 9, 1936. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1940, served in Normandy after D-Day with the Regina Rifles Regiment and was wounded near Calais in 1944. After being discharged from the army, he married Mary on November 10, 1945. Walters career in woodworking started when he first came to Canada. After the war he worked as a cabinet maker with the Winnipeg Cabinet Factory and for the last 25 years of his working life he was in charge of the carpentry shop at Con-Force, a pre-cast concrete company. Many of Winnipegs large buildings feature his work. He valued his church and his cultural community. He was active in and served on the executives of many Ukrainian Organizations: St. Andrews Ukrainian Catholic Church, Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Brotherhood of Ukrainian Catholics, Ukrainian Mutual Benefit Association of St. Nicholas, Postup-Progress Publishing Company, Ukrainian Canadian Veterans Branch No. 141, Royal Canadian Legion, Sons of Ukrainian Pioneers, and was a Knight of St. Gregory. His great love of books and the importance he placed on education are gifts he gave to all his children and grandchildren. He always loved to hear what each was doing. Gardening was another of his passions; his yard and his house plants were a testament to this. Above all, Walter valued family and was most content when presiding over our many family gatherings. He will always be with us. Prayers will be held on Monday May 10 at the Knysh Funeral Chapel, 1020 Main St. at 7:30 p.m. Divine liturgy will be held at St. Andrews Ukrainian Catholic Church, 170 Euclid Avenue on Tuesday, May 11 at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Mitrat J. Holowaty. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Walters name to CancerCare Manitoba, 1160-675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, R3E 0V9. CHRYSTOS VOSKRES KNYSH FUNERAL CHAPEL 582-0973

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 08, 2004