Obituary of ANDREW SZUL

ANDREW SZUL Andrew Szul was born December 3, 1914 in Rudka, Jaroslaw area, Poland. He died on April 24, 2015 at Holy Family Home, Winnipeg. He was predeceased by his parents, Ivan (Jan) Szul and Maria Lysyk, his wife, Kateryna Bogucki, and siblings: Mykhailo, Dmytro, Kateryna, Anastasia, and Anna. He was the last member of that generation. He is survived by son, John Michael (Hanya), grandchildren, Danylo (Leanne), Alexa (Jamie), Juliana and Andrei, and great grandchildren, Kingston and Summer, family in Canada, USA (Marilyn and Don and children) and Europe. He had lived in Poland, Germany, France, Venezuela and Canada. He found peace in Canada. Life was not easy and often cruel. He had faced poverty, lack of formal education, forced labour in WW2, loss of family, often displaced with many moves, illness, hospitalization, times of unemployment and much uncertainty. However, he always retained a calm demeanour, philosophic in his view that all would improve. He was devout and prayerful. He remained a man of faith. He was kind and gentle. He was happiest when he looked after his grandchildren. Family gave him great joy. He worked hard as an agricultural worker, coal miner, gardener and labourer. In his last few years, in the Nursing home, he made many friends. He found an environment that was caring and loving, and he responded. It was a time of contentment and serenity. There are so many to thank, too many to name all. The staff at Holy Family and the other residents became wider family to him. Their caring, their thoughtfulness, their words he cherished. Visits by grand nephews, Michael and John with Virginia and family were treasured. The family is grateful to Dr. Babick and colleagues, the nurses, all the professional staff, the housekeeping staff, the administration staff, the support staff, the families who came to see others and stopped to say hello to him, the priests from St Joseph’s, the sisters of SSMI, Father Bohdan who gave his last sacraments, and all those who showed him kindness. Panakhyda and Liturgy will be celebrated at St Joseph’s Church, 250 Jefferson Avenue, Winnipeg, MB on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery. Celebratory reception will follow at Kildonan Park. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Holy Family Home. Vichnaya Pamyat’. Nekhaj z Bohom spochyvaie.