MYCHAJLO GEMBARSKY

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MYCHAJLO GEMBARSKY January 26, 1924 - November 14, 2012 Mychajlo passed away on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at Holy Family Home where he had lived since 2007. He leaves behind his wife, Anna; sons Stephan (Wanda), Michael, Bohdan; and sister, Anna Andriechine in Ukraine. Family in Canada include niece Bohdanka, Michael (Halia), Andrew and Daniel Andriechine; nephew Volodmyr (Natalia), Lilia, Nadia Medynsky and Anna Kaminska. Extended family includes sister-in-law Anastasia, nephew Myron (Susan Boulter), Alexander and Adriana Pawlowsky; and sister-in-law Olga (Walter), Christian (Miranda), Brianna and Nicholas, and Zenon (Marla) Klopick. Born in the village of Lypycia-Dolishnia, Ivano-Frankivs'k oblast, Ukraine to Kindrat and Kateryna (Nedilska) Gembarsky, Mychajlo was the oldest of six children who included Maria, Anna, Jaroslava, Stephan and Mykola. As a young man Mychajlo faced a bleak future: conscription into the Galizien Division or slave labour in Germany. He chose to fight for his homeland and what he believed was right; in so doing, he lost his right leg. Arriving at a refugee camp in Asten, Austria, he met the love of his life, Anna Smerechuk, with whom he would spend the next 63 years working side by side to create a family and wonderful life for themselves and their three sons: Stephan, Michael and Bohdan. The family immigrated to Boston, Massachusetts in 1952 and lived there until 1956. Mychajlo's brother-in-law Peter and sister-in-law Anastasia Pawlowsky, sponsored the Gembarskys to Canada so they could be near their extended family. His working career was spent working alongside his brother-in-law at Greb Shoes. In his spare time, Mychajlo volunteered his organizational talents to the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) and the Canadian Ukrainian Institute Prosvita. Many nights were spent recording minutes in journals and acting as the financial secretary for these organizations. It was not all work, though: Mychajlo had a fine singing voice and loved to perform the functions of a cantor in church, and the parish they belonged to in Boston was very sad to see him leave when they immigrated to Canada. Life at home was boisterous with three boys, but there was never a dull moment. The years slipped by and settled into a comfortable rhythm. While illness struck and the last few years were very hard, Mychajlo will always be remembered for his sense of humour and his kind heart. Prayers will be sung on Wednesday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m. with Divine Liturgy celebrated on Thursday, November 22 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, 115 McGregor Street. Interment to follow in All Saints Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Volodmyr Medynsky, Michael Andriechine, Myron Pawlowsky, Myron Semegen, Christian and Zenon Klopick. Honorary pallbearers will be Walter Klopick, Bohdanka and Halia Andriechine, Natalia Medynsky and Susan Boulter. VICHNAYA PAM'YAT KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-956-2193
Publish Date: Nov 20, 2012

MYCHAJLO GEMBARSKY Peacefully, after a lengthy illness, on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at Holy Family Home, Mychajlo Gembarsky, beloved husband of Anna. Prayers will be sung 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 21 at Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, 115 McGregor St. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 22 also at the Cathedral. Interment to follow in All Saints Cemetery. Further obituary in Tuesday's edition. KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-956-2193
Publish Date: Nov 17, 2012

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 20, 2012