Avis de décès de Wasyl Demchuk
With deep sorrow, the family announces the death of Wasyl Demchuk in Hamilton on August 18, 2016 of in his 94th year. Devoted husband of Georgette (nee Veilleux) for 55 years. Cherished father of Bohdan (predeceased), Natalia Obal (Taras), and Taras (Lynn). Adored Dido of his grandchildren Nicholas, Julianna, and Lauren. He will be lovingly remembered by his extended family in Ukraine and Quebec. Visitation will be held at P.X. DERMODY FUNERAL HOME (796 Upper Gage Avenue) on Sunday, August 21, 2016 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. with panachyda at 7:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will take place at Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Church (15 St Olga St.) on Monday, August 22, 2016 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow to Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Donations may be made in memory of Wasyl Demchuk to a charity of your choice, or as Wasyl did all his life, give someone in need a helping hand.
Wasyl was born November 18, 1922, in the Ternopil region of Ukraine, the eldest of nine children. In 1944, he left his home in the village of Kotuziv near Zarvanytsya. His life’s journey took him to Germany as a labourer, then Austria where he worked on a farm, and finally to Canada in April 1948 on the Marina Marlin to Pier 21 in Halifax. His first job was in construction at Hydro Canada in Pembroke. He moved on to Toronto, then Montreal where he met the love of his life, Georgette, got into the construction business, and finally settled in Hamilton for over 50 years of his life. With only a grade 3 education, he learned the construction trade, started his own business, taught himself to read, write and speak several languages including Ukrainian, Polish, Russian, English, French and German. He learned ballroom dancing to a competitive level, wrote poetry and sang in Ukrainian community choirs. Wasyl passed his love of dance and music along to his children and grandchildren and it worked. All three of his grandchildren are very talented dancers. Wasyl was an unbelievably hard-working man who besides being a solid provider to his family, was an active member in whatever community he found himself. He was a longtime member and supporter of CYM, and in Hamilton a staunch parishioner at Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Church. He valued his extended family, friends, business associates and neighbours. He took great joy in going fishing, making his own wine and growing his own vegetables. He was particularly proud of his rose garden. May he rest peacefully in God’s merciful hands. Vichnaya Pamyat’