Obituary of MICHAEL HORBAL

MICHAEL HORBAL After a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s, Michael Horbal passed away on September 29, 2013 at Holy Family Nursing Home. Mike was born on November 8, 1929 in Western Ukraine. At the age of 9, he came to Canada with his parents and five siblings and settled near Gimli in Dnister Manitoba. Life was hard on the family farm and at age 18, he moved to Winnipeg to find work. Mike married Mary Skipchak in 1950 and they were happily married for almost 61 years until her death in 2011. They lived all of their adult lives in Winnipeg’s North End. Mike is survived by his son Russ, daughter-in-law Pat, granddaughter Julie and her fiancé Michael Dooley. He is also survived by his sisters Stella Demedash, Kay Zawortny and Jarice Hendricks, brother-in-law Tony Hendricks and sister-in-law Phyllis Horbal. Mike also leaves behind Mary’s sister Sonia and brother-in-law Bob Whincup and as well as many nephews and nieces. Mike was predeceased by his father John, mother Tekla, in-laws Peter and Anne Skipchak, brother Steve, sister Mary and brothers-in-law Steve Demedash, Bill Demedash and George Zawortny. Mike trained as and worked most of his life in Winnipeg as a fur cutter/furrier. He was known as a perfectionist and an extremely skilled sought after tradesman. He proudly worked for many of Winnipeg’s well-known fur manufacturers including Glazerman’s, Sterling-Stall, Hecht’s and Montreal Fur. Mike was very proud of his home and yard and kept them in meticulous condition. He loved to fish – and with Mary – enjoyed camping, entertaining friends and family, playing cards and travelling. Faith was important to Mike and Mary and they were long time parishioners of Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church. Mike was also very active in the Parish Men’s Club. Mike’s loved ones express their heartfelt thanks to their family and friends for the support and prayers through the lengthy, very trying times of Mike’s last three years. They would also like to thank the wonderful staff at Holy Family Nursing Home for their care and compassion and for making it ‘home’ for him. Thanks are also extended to Dr. Terry Babick, not only for the care he provided Mike, but also for his support of the family. Divine Liturgy in celebration of Mike’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 965 Boyd Avenue, with Fr. Volodymyr Bashutskyy officiating. Interment will follow at Glen Eden Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Holy Family Nursing Home, 165 Aberdeen Ave., Winnipeg.