Obituary of Andrew NYTEPCHUK

ANDREW NYTEPCHUK 1925 - 2010 Andrew Nytepchuk, beloved husband of the late Kateryna, died suddenly, but peacefully on October 25 at Seven Oaks Hospital, at the age of 85. He was always "Pop" or Tato to sons Andy (Gerry) and George (Deborah), Dido to grandsons Mark and Bryan (Nini) and great-grandfather to new baby Katie. Andrew (Andriy) was born in Volyn, Ukraine but at a young age was forcibly taken, as were many of his generation, to work in the Nazi labour camps during World War II. It was during this time that he met and married Kateryna, who would be his wife of 57 years. Liberated by the Allies and knowing they could not return to what was Soviet Ukraine, they had many setbacks (the source of Hollywood-worthy stories through the years) but eventually made their way to their beloved Canada. ("Your Mum was scared of snakes in Venezuela"). He was a proud Canadian and could never understand why his family would want to travel and see the world. "Why you go? Canada is best place. Everything good, is here." Although, during the first Canada-Soviet Hockey series, while rooting for Canada, he did manage to point out that goal- tender Tretiak was a "good Ukrainian boy". He took a keen interest in politics locally and globally and had a knack for summing up political and bureaucratic foibles in one simple, astute phrase. Freedom of speech was always the take-home message. He was employed by CNR and operated a grader for 38 years. It was a thing of beauty, almost graceful, to watch him levelling ground mere inches from a building, the machine an extension of his body. He was a loyal employee to a fault, called to work in countless blizzards, and almost disliked vacation time because he worried the young fellows would not respect "his" machine while he was away. He was proud to be a member of the Order of St. Andrew and was an early and active member of Tovaristvo (Brotherhood of) Volyn. His greatest love was for his small family; always proud of all their endeavours; beaming whenever a chance to introduce any of them. He had a special soft-spot and relationship with his two grandsons, regaling anyone who would listen with stories of his boys. His affections included the many family dogs over the years: from mutts, to Cockers; Dalmations to beloved Westies; they became his co-pilots, navigators and sleep mates; he loved and had a way with all. He supported Mum in all her projects from award-winning korvai (wedding bread) baking, to mushroom picking (secret spot revealed - Stead, MB), to countless hours volunteering at the church. He was the driver...waiting, driving....tirelessly and patiently waiting. He was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral and lately of St. Mary the Protectress, where he lived at the Villa Senior's Residence. The family would like to thank the following people: Dr. Benningen and staff at the Health Action Centre for their years of attention to Pop's medical conditions; Myron at Brothers Pharmacy for his patience, availability and personal attention; Home Care staff, attendants and nurses; the staff of the Emergency Department and Medicine wards of the Seven Oaks Hospital for their knowledgeable and professional care on this last visit and the past few years; special friend Kay Neufeld and friends at the Villa for their companionship. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 29th at 10:00 am at St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 820 Burrows Avenue with Father Buciora officiating. Interment will follow in Glen Eden Memorial Gardens. If friends so desire, donations may be made on behalf of our father, to the Heart and Stroke Foundation (949-2000) or the Humane Society (982-2041) VICHNAYA PAMYAT