Obituary of WALTER (VLADIMIR) NICHOLAS LYTWYN

Wally (Vladimir) Lytwyn

December 12, 1951 - August 29, 2024

It is with broken hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Wally on the morning of August 29, 2024.

Wally was predeceased by his parents Mykola and Anna Lytwyn, his parents-in-law Jennie and Dmytro Duschak, uncles Eugene Kuderewko, Mykhaylo and Hryhori Lytwyn.

He leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife Sandra, son Stefan, daughter and son-in-law Daria and Jonny Wilson, grandchildren Nikolai, Zhenya and Nina Wilson, sister and brother-in-law Halya and Garr Kukura, nephews Marc (Lori Hindbjorgen), Roman (Alanna) Kukura and their daughters Lealya, Ksenya and Melanya; brother-in-law Bill Duschak, sisters-in-law Kathy (Rusty) Dobriansky and their son Oles, Barbara (Jerry) Bielak and sons Nyk and Zachary (Bryn), extended family - newcomers from Ukraine; cousins Oksana Syrotiuk and her children Anastasiia and Misha and Ruslana Oliferchuk and her son Roman, his Aunt Erna Kuderewko and her children Lucy (Larry) Pana, Myroslav (Audrey) Kuderewko, Andy (Angela) Kuderewko, Danny (Winnie) Kuderewko, George (Angela) Kuderewko and their families, along with many relatives in British Columbia, the United States, Australia, Indonesia and Ukraine as well as many dear friends.

Wally worked as an Advertising Sales Rep with the Winnipeg Tribune, Winnipeg Sun, Winnipeg Free Press and Lester Publications retiring in 2021.

To quote Lori Hindbjorgen “Wally, with the kindest soul ever, brightened so many people’s lives. If there ever was a book on how to live life right, he was the author.” He loved to throw a party for almost any occasion and nothing brought him more joy than to have his family and friends all together enjoying each other's company. He could keep everyone laughing all night long with his jokes. He loved road trips to Regina to spend time with his Kuderewko family, trips to various cities in the U.S. with Sandra and the kids, especially Minneapolis to visit friends and take in Valley Fair, many trips to BC to visit with Sandra’s family and most recently they enjoyed numerous trips to Cuba and Mexico, two trips to Europe and one to Ukraine. He was so looking forward to a trip to Vancouver for the Grey Cup game with Stefan, a family vacation in Mexico this winter as well as a trip to Ukraine which was promised as soon as the devastating war comes to an end and Ukraine claims victory.

Wally loved music of all kinds and spent numerous years playing in polka bands and working part-time as a music man. His greatest love when it came to music, was singing with the Hoosli Men’s Choir. Wally sang for many years and after retiring from the choir he was a member of the Hoosli Board of Directors. He was one of their greatest supporters and a conversation about music was never complete without mentioning Hoosli. Ukrainian Christmas Eve was always special when the men from Hoosli would come to our home to sing Christmas carols. He instilled his love for his Ukrainian culture onto his children and for this they are forever grateful. He would be so humbled and honoured to know that Hoosli Men’s Choir will be singing at his prayers on September 6th.

But the one thing that brought him the most joy in recent years was spending time with his beloved grandchildren. Many days were spent babysitting, making them snacks and watching with bewilderment as to how many peanut butter sandwiches and fruit they could eat in one sitting! He loved to plan outings with them whether it was at our trailer at Veselka Summer Camp, Kildonan Park Pool, Birds Hill Park, the museum, or feeding the goats at a petting zoo, you could be sure that he had just as much fun as they did! Just four weeks ago, Wally was thrilled to welcome his newest grand-daughter Nina into our family and loved to watch Nikolai and Zhenya with their baby sister. Unfortunately, little Nina will have to rely on stories from all of us about her wonderful Dido who is now in heaven.

We will miss his jokes, his teasing, his laughter, but most of all his love.

Panakhyda Prayer Service for Wally will be sung at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 6th at St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 820 Burrows Ave. with a reception to follow.  A private family gravesite service will take place on Saturday, September 7th.

Carrying Wally to his final resting place will be his son Stefan Lytwyn, son-in-law Jonny Wilson, god-sons Marc Kukura and Zachary Bielak and nephews Roman Kukura, Nyk Bielak, and Oles Dobriansky.

In lieu of flowers, we welcome you to donate to the St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 820 Burrows Ave. or the Canada Ukraine Foundation - Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

Although our hearts are broken with grief and we can’t imagine our lives without you, we know that all of our beautiful memories will forever be remembered and cherished and will bring us comfort in the days ahead. We will love you forever.

To paraphrase one of his favourite jokes “Wally died, Lincoln for sale”.

Memory Eternal!    Vichnaya Pam’yat!