Friday, December 22, 2017
I will forever remember Uncle Walter as a gentle, loving man who would always make some time for his many nephews and nieces, when those of us could visit the old farm homestead. He was such a hard working individual who by his actions set a fine example without trying to solicit attention towards himself. Our Mom, Walter’s sister, would travel from North Carolina back to Sylvan with my brother and me, every two years to visit, with one of the highlights of the journey being how excited we were to listen to Walter’s imaginative Ghost Tales that he would spin every night at bedtime, with not a single story ever being repeated.
Unfortunately, time, distance, and having my own responsibilities have been a deterrent to visiting more than I ever would like, yet every phone conversation with Walter left me with pride in having his friendship and being a loving uncle, never changing throughout the years, especially doing his medical troubles. His passing leaves me with a sadness of not having seen him more times in the waning years, and an embarrassment in that I could have been a better nephew to him.
While I am American born, I still proud of my Canadian/Ukrainian heritage and feel love from a distance for all my Canadian relatives either waiting for our eventual reunion in heaven as well as those still living in the “Great White North” or elsewhere. Thus to Krystyna, Son Walter, Daughter-in-Law Candray Mehkary, Grandchildren Henry and Stella, as well as Brother Tony, the last survivor of the Krawec generation, Jin and I offer our deepest sympathy and utmost condolences.
Uncle Walter may have physically departed from this world, yet he is helping prepare a field of reunification later on, assisted by his parents and siblings in that heavenly endeavor. Yet his memory, acts of kindness, and good deeds in his lifetime will always be enshrined in our hearts and minds, those types of memories that can only brighten our days and make us proud to ever have known him! We will miss you Uncle Walter, yet we sincerely thank you for being there for all of us, and may you now you forever Rest in Peace!
John & Jin Hines
Danville, Virginia USA
