Michael KOLISNYK

Kolisnyk 2008-07-20 Mr. Michael Kolisnyk, age 95 years, a resident of Grandview Lodge, passed away peacefully in his 96th year on Friday, July 18, 2008. Mike was born in the village of Kolisneke near Nevichi and Brode, Ukraine on October 20, 1912. During the 2nd World War, he was taken by the German military to Austria and was required to work in farming communities as forced labour. There he met Kataryna Pryjda and married her in Villach, Austria, in 1947. Michael emigrated to Canada in 1948, working for the CPR in Hemlo, Ontario, until bringing over his wife and young son, Eugene. Shortly before moving to Fort William in 1950, his son Theodore was born. Mike worked at various jobs for the railway and Lakehead University, retiring in 1978. He was very proud of his Ukrainian heritage, and was a member of the Ukrainian-Canadian Social Services, Ukrainian Youth Association, the Ukrainian League of Liberation Choir, and the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Transfiguration. During his lengthy years of retirement, he loved working in his garden, and being involved in various carpentry and woodworking projects of his own creation. Mike is survived by his wife Kataryna, sons Eugene (Marsha) and Theodore, grandchildren Andrew (Annette) of Calgary with daughter Avery, Kathie (Peter) Pender of Yellowknife with sons Hayden and Bryson, and Adam of Thunder Bay. Mike was predeceased by his father, Roman, mother, Kataryna, and 5 siblings, Peter, Marina, Michalina, Luke and Ivan, all in the Ukraine. Panachyda prayers will be offered on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Blake Funeral Chapel. Funeral services for Michael will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 when family and friends will gather for Liturgy in the Church of the Transfiguration at 10:00 a.m. celebrated by Rev. Vladimir Chvets. Interment will be held in the family plot in the Ukrainian Catholic cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the George Jeffrey Children‘s Treatment Centre or a charity of your choice. A tree will be planted in memory of Mr. Michael Kolisnyk in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 29, 2008.