JOHN KULYK

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JOHN KULYK June 9, 1925 - March 3, 2005 Suddenly but peacefully, John Kulyk - devoted husband, father and grandfather ( Gigi Ivan ), was called to his eternal rest on Thursday, March 3, 2005 at Seven Oaks Hospital. John is lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his loving wife of 54 years, Anne; his son Walter, wife Alice, grandsons Christian, fiancee Tamara; Andrew, wife Jody; and Benjamin; son Terry (Taras) and granddaughter Andrianna; and daughter Marianne Berthelette and grandson Aaron. Also mourning his passing are brother Stefan and sisters, Olha, Hannia and Katryna in Ukraine; Aunt Catherine Buyachok, cousins Monsignor Michael Buyachok, Sr. Andreja Vladia and Bohdan Buyachok; numerous godchildren and dear friends. John was predeceased by his parents John and Maria Kulyk; brother Vlodko and sister Julia in Ukraine and his in-laws Nicholas and Maria Storozuk. John was born in selo Sukhavolia, povit Liubachiv, Lvivska oblast, in Western Ukraine on June 9, 1925. While still a teenager, he was drafted to serve in the army and eventually fled to Germany where he laboured from 1942 to 1945. With hopes and dreams of a better life, he came to Canada in 1948. His first jobs were on Hydro projects in Ontario and then the CPR. Once in Winnipeg and reacquainted with family and friends, he met the love of his life, Anne (Storozuk) at the UNF (Ukrainian National Federation) Hall. They were married at Sts. Vladimir Olga Cathedral on June 2, 1951.The young couple settled in Transcona, where John and his father-in-law worked for CNR in the Transcona Shops. From that time on, he was a lifelong resident of Transcona. Within a few years, John furthered his education to become a hairdresser - joining his wife Anne in doing something they both loved doing together everyday. Eventually, they successfully operated two beauty salons a few blocks apart. It was several years later that John discovered his true passion, woodworking and carpentry. In the late 1950's he literally built three houses single-handedly, including the cozy home on Regent where all the kids grew up and Baba Anne still lives today. He took some carpentry courses at Red River College to hone his already impressive skills and joined the Maintenance Department of Holy Family Nursing Home as its Master Carpenter in the early 1970's, where he worked until his retirement in the mid 1990's. John could build or fix anything, whether he was building custom cabinets or tables for his parish; designing and building rec rooms for friends and kooms ; sewing religious vestments for the clergy and altar boys; plumbing, electrical, or automotive, John could do it all. It's no wonder his kooms affectionately called him Golden Hands . When he wasn't always building something, he enjoyed listening to Ukrainian music, his vacations to Hawaii and California, and watching TV, documentaries, especially wrestling. John always took great interest in his children and grandchildren and was always very proud of their accomplishments. He was looking forward to seeing his first great-grandchild this summer. In our eyes, he already was a great grandfather. John was profoundly proud of his Ukrainian heritage and his Ukrainian Catholic church. He served for many years on the parish council of St. Michael's; loved singing in the choir, and was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus, Bishop Budka Council. Dad was a caring, compassionate and generous human being. With his gentle smile, a kind word of welcome, his unique sense of humour, John could always be counted on for anything, anytime, anywhere. His good nature and warm heart made the people around him happy. While enjoying his golden years and grandchildren, John suffered a stroke in 2000, a day after his 49th Wedding Anniversary. The family expresses our sincerest appreciation to Mr. Baron, Virginia, Marijka and the entire staff of the River East Personal Care Home where Dad lived his last years as comfortably as possible and proudly served as President of the Resident Council. Special thanks as well to the staff at Seven Oaks Hospital for their care over the past two weeks. Prayers (Panakhyda) will be sung on Sunday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Monday, March 7 at 10:00 a.m. Both services will take place at St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 400 Day St., with Rt. Rev. Monsignor Mitrat Michael Buyachok officiating, as Dad requested. Interment to follow at Holy Family Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his godsons, Dr. Greg Palaschuk, John Kozelko and Vlad Kowalyk; and good friends, Bohdan Buyachok, Roman Kozelko and David Matwychuk. In lieu of flowers, donations in John's memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba or for Religious Vocations. FOREVER IN OUR MEMORY VICHNAYA PAMYAT Korban Funeral Chapel - 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 05, 2005