Obituary of REV. FR. NESTOR YAKIWCHUK

NESTOR YAKIWCHUK On December 19, 2013, Nestor Yakiwchuk, devoted and beloved husband, father and grandfather, set off on his eternal journey to walk with our Lord. Born December 18, 1931 in Mountain Road, Manitoba, Nestor was the only surviving child of Michael and Annie Yakiwchuk. He was raised and schooled in Mountain Road, leaving in 1945 to attend St. Joseph’s College in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, graduating as Valedictorian in 1949. During his studies, he became active in the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, earning the ranks of Master Cadet and Sergeant. Upon completing high school, he attained his teaching diploma and taught elementary grades at the Mountain Road School. After working at the Neepawa Co-op and a family store in Winnipeg, Nestor started working at Coca-Cola Ltd., leaving for a short time to operate the family grocery store and post office during his father’s illness back in Mountain Road. He returned and worked at Coca-Cola for a total of 42 years, retiring in 1992. After 5 years of study, with the paternally imparted Apostolic Blessing of the Holy Father John Paul II, he was ordained as a Deacon on May 10, 1981 through the laying on of hands by Archbishop Metropolitan Maxim Hermaniuk, CSsR at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church. His first posting was with Blessed Virgin Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Catholic Church on Boyd Avenue in Winnipeg. He served there for 14 years, then administered at St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church until he was called to serve as Econome for the Archeparchy at the Chancery, staying in their service for 4 years. He was elevated and received the title “Archdeacon” on December 13, 1987 through Archbishop Metropolitan Maxim Hermaniuk. Nestor studied to completion and received a Certificate in Eastern Christian Studies at the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies at St. Paul University in April 2001 while in a formation program at the Holy Spirit Seminary in Ottawa. On August 19, 2001, he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood through the laying on of hands by Archbishop Metropolitan Michael Bzdel at Cooks Creek Immaculate Conception Church. He served as associate pastor at St. Vladimir and Olga Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, and in 2003 also pastored at St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. Nestor has been an integral part in the parishes to which he belonged and in the communities he lived. He sang with the choir and belonged to the Men’s Club as an active member of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church. He was a member of the St. Josaphat Knights of Columbus Council for over 43 years, attaining the title of Grand Knight, and the Canon Luhovy Assembly for 40 years. He served as president of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Men’s Sick Benefit Club for 3 years. Reverend Father Nestor Yakiwchuk’s first devotion was to his wife of 61 years, Stella (nee Kasprick), their children Cynthia Chuckree (Rick), Valerie Ganchar (Gerald), Terry Yakiwchuk (Carol), Monica Hornbeck (Dale), Justin Yakiwchuk (Willow), Alanna Hinrichsen (Grant), and their grandchildren Amanda Yakiwchuk (Matthew McFetrick), Dr. Benjamin Yakiwchuk (Dr. Ashley), Daniel Hornbeck, Madison Hornbeck, Angela Jones, Emily Jones, Stephanie Yakiwchuk, Michael Yakiwchuk, Kaitlyn Hinrichsen and Luke Hinrichsen. His intense involvement to his faith and community service served as the foundation and everlasting testament of a man committed to what he loved most, his family. By setting an example of accomplishment and fulfillment that can be achieved through devotion to family and faith, he celebrated and supported his children’s and grandchildren’s choices and successes. He guided, comforted, and ministered to all, never denying assistance to those in need. His desire to serve with respect, love and obedience to his family, faith and community so beautifully reflects Christ’s divine love for His followers. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thank you to the Holy Family Nursing Home staff of wards St. Anne’s and most recently, St. Michael’s, who showed compassion in their care towards Nestor in his time of need. It was with their efforts the family was able to be strong for Nestor, and be a comfort to him and each other. Prayers will be held Sunday, December 22, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. and the funeral will take place Monday, December 23, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., both at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church on Bannerman Ave. Condolences may be shown through donations to Holy Family Home or St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church.