Obituaries

REV. FR. ERNEST (ERNIE) HAFICHUK    Peacefully, on Monday, January 4, 2016, after a brief illness, Dad left us to be with his beloved wife and our mother, Lillian.    Left to mourn Ernie are his children; grandchildren; nephews; nieces; the Wilchowy families in Saskatchewan; sisters in law Kay, Anne and Pauline; many friends and parishioners. Dad was predeceased by his loving wife Lillian; parents Dora and Michael; brother Don (wife Helen); brother Fred (wife Josie); brothers Alec, Nick and Bill; sisters Mary (husband Fred), Jenny (husband Max) and Polly.    Dad was born in Dauphin, Manitoba on August 5, 1928 to parents Michael Hafichuk and Dora Kuzyk. He attended Dauphin Collegiate and Technical School after which he was a teacher (on permit) in the Dauphin area for one year. Dad then attended teacher’s college in Winnipeg and began his teaching career in Rigby, Garthmore and Fork River. He took a brief break from teaching and attended St Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton but later resumed his teaching duties at The Pas Collegiate. Dad’s career advanced and he became principal at Cranberry Portage, Clearwater and Pilot Mound. From 1969-1983 he was the Assistant Superintendent of the Agassiz School Division.    In The Pas, Dad met the love of his life, our mom, Lillian Wilchowy, who was studying Lab and X-ray Technology. In 1958, they were married and had four children, Wes, Andrea (husband Peter, children Steven and Colin), Martin (wife Donna, children Justine and Dylan) and Michele (husband Bob, children Hailey and Connor).    Despite his busy schedule, Dad took night classes and attended summer sessions and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1965 and a Bachelor of Education in 1968. He answered God’s calling and was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on May 30, 1982. Unfortunately, Mom passed away on December 3, 1982 and was not able to share much of his new life. He retired in 1983 and had culminated 35 years of involvement in the education system. He served as Town Councillor in Beausejour and was involved with the Beausejour Hockey Arena and many other volunteer endeavours. On May 10, 1984 Dad attended Holy Spirit Seminary in Ottawa and was ordained to the Priesthood. After his ordination, he served in Kingston, Christ the King, St Josephat’s, Fisher Branch, St Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, St Mary’s in Brandon, BVM, St Michael’s, Portage la Prairie, Beausejour and St Basil’s. He had the rare privilege of Baptizing all of his grandchildren and officiating most of his children’s weddings.    Dad enjoyed his annual trips to Los Angeles to spend time with his daughter, Michele and her family. He loved spending time at the family cabin at Bird River and family get-togethers on Andrea’s deck in Bird’s Hill. He loved gardening, making soups and perogies, the CFL and the Bombers, the NHL and the Jets, and arguing politics. He was a generous, kind man who had an “odd” sense of humour.    Priestly Parastas will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 400 Day Street, Transcona. Divine Liturgy will be Celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 also in the Church with His Grace Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak OSBM as Celebrant assisted by the Clergy of Ukrainian Archeparchy of Winnipeg. Interment will follow in Holy Family Cemetery, 4355 Main Street, West St. Paul, MB. Honourary Pallbearers will be Steven Kiss, Colin Kiss, Wally Wilchowy, Braedan Hafichuk, Sean Supleve and Greg Crognali. Special thanks to Dr. E Pilat for his many years of caring for Dad. Thanks to the staff at N1 South and North for the care they provided during Dad’s stay at Concordia Hospital.    Flowers graciously declined, donations in Dad’s memory can be made to the charity of your choice.    Wojcik’s Funeral Chapels & Crematorium, Winnipeg, 1020 Main Street, is in care of arrangements 204.586.8668. Please sign the Guestbook on Wojcik’s family’s website www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com                                                                            VICHNAYA PAMYAT