Obituary of JOHN ALEXANDER MELNYK

Rev. John A. Melnyk

December 18^th, 1927 – February 7^th, 2022

 

Surrounded by his loving family, our father passed away peacefully on Monday, February 7^th, 2022.  Predeceased by his loving wife, Sonia, parents Alex and Magda, brothers Dan (Nettie), Harry (Ada) and sister Anne (Bill).

Dad is lovingly remembered by his family, son, Johnny (Deanne), daughter, Patti (Jeff), grandchildren, Daniel (Valerie), Kyle (Kayla), Casandra (Chris), great-grandson, Liam Gough, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Our father was born and raised on the family farm just east of Fraserwood, Manitoba.  Farm life molded him into the man we admire, respect and love today.  Dad was very proud of his Ukrainian heritage.

Dad was the first in his family to attend high school by travelling daily by train to Teulon.  He went on to further his education by attending Teacher’s College in Winnipeg and to university to obtain his master’s degree. How far you came in your life, dearest father, and how very proud we are of all your accomplishments.

Our dad was a teacher and principal throughout East Kildonan at Munroe Jr. High, Lord Wolseley, Princess Margaret and John DeGraff schools where he retired after 42 years.

Ordained a Greek Orthodox Priest, he served at various churches – St. Ivan Suchovsky, St. Demetrios,  St. Michael’s, Garden South, Ethelbert, Regina and Thunder Bay. He enjoyed performing marriages and christenings and he was proud to perform funeral services.

Our dad was involved with numerous charitable organizations throughout his life.  He was a very proud member of the Sons of Ukrainian Pioneers (S.O.U.P.).

Dad’s love and devotion to his family had no limit.  Nothing was more important to our dad than family.  He was the most selfless person we have ever known.  Rarely did he ever do something for himself. Everyone else came first, be it family or friend.  If anyone needed help, he was there at the drop of a hat, never expecting anything in return.  During the winter months, our dad would start up his snowblower and proceed to clean all the neighbors’ homes on Winterton Avenue and in summer mow their lawns.

As a skilled carpenter and electrician, he built many garages, fences, rec rooms, bookshelves, etc. and was a proud volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.

He provided endless support to numerous parishioners and cherished their friendships throughout the years.  Olga and Werner Saxler, Gary and Bonnie Persovich, Verna and Gord Odowichuk, and Helen Hopko to name a few.

Our family sends sincere thanks to Diane (Brad) Woloshen, Alexandra (Darryl) Pokrant, Harry (Gwen) Melnyk, Gordon (Donna) Mendres and Ron (Karen) Shewchuk for staying in touch with our parents over the years.  (Gordon:  Dad is surely going to miss your weekly visits.)

We will miss dad’s endless stories from his youth and especially the ones during his school years. (Ron:  Dad just loved your chats about the “Good old days”.)

Dad loved getting together with his extended family where we would alternate between our home and Uncle Dan, Uncle Harry and Auntie Anne’s homes for various holiday celebrations.  These family gatherings were looked forward to by all our families.  Always enough food to feed a small town.  It was the Ukrainian way.

Dad had loving memories of the farm.  He loved to tell the story of two new colts born one spring and how they ran alongside their mother as she pulled the wagon to town.  His love of horses never faded.

Another favorite story he would share was as a young man, our dad and a few of his friends went to a dance.  Driving home early the next morning they witnessed a dog running alongside and then passing their car.  The driver slowed down only to discover it wasn’t a dog, but a wheel from their car had come off and shot past them into the ditch.

Our family sends sincere thanks to the staff at Kildonan House, Concordia Hospital-N1 North and to Holy Family Home-St. John’s C-Unit, for their compassionate and loving care of our father.

We know how heartbroken he was when our mother passed away.  We take great comfort knowing that they are together again.

Our memories of you will be eternal and will remain in our hearts forever, until we meet again.

A private family funeral has been held and a memorial service will be held in the Spring.

We love you, dearest father and Geedo.

“Eternal Memory”

“Vichnaya Pamyat”

 

Flowers gratefully declined.  If friends so desire, donations may be made to The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).