WILLIAM (WASYL, BILL) MATVIEW -

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WILLIAM (WASYL, BILL) MATVIEW 1921 - 2013 Peacefully at the age of 91, at Holy Family Home, on Thursday, April 25, 2013. Predeceased by his parents Mychaylo and Maria (Zabrodsky), his father-in-law and mother-in-law Nicholas and Katherine Holowaty and brother-in-law Michael. Left to cherish his memory are his loving and caring wife Anne, of 57 years, sons Myron, Michael (spouse Cynthia and children Jessica, Sarah, and Christopher), daughter Christine (spouse Darren and children Jennifer and Jordan), sister-in-law Anne Holowaty in California, sister Sophia and family in Zolochiw, Ukraine, brother Paul and family in Zurkiw, Ukraine, and cousins in Ukraine and Canada. Bill was born May 15, 1921 in Zurkiw, Ukraine. He studied at St. George's Seminary in Lviv, Ukraine. During the Second World War, the students were moved to Horshburg, Germany where he completed his Theology studies. As this was during the communist regime, and his parents not knowing his whereabouts, they were sent to Siberia where his father died of starvation. His mother eventually returned to the Ukraine. His uncle, Michael Zabrodsky, sponsored Bill and he arrived in Canada on September 28, 1948 to begin a better life. Soon after arriving, he enlisted in the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. In early 1949 he became a member of St. Andrew's Ukrainian Catholic Church, where he met Anne and they married on August 6, 1955. At St. Andrew's, he organized and directed the church choir, and was cantor for 61 years until his illness in 2010. Bill studied at the University of Manitoba, graduating with a degree in social work. He was employed with the Society For Manitobans With Disabilities for 10 years, and later transferred to the Department of Health and Welfare, and was a Social Worker for 35 years. Bill was very active in organizations: Advisory Committee to His Grace Metropolitan Hermaniuk, Secretary of Ukrainian Catholic Council, Secretary at St. Andrew's Church, Secretary of the Ukrainian Professional and Business Men's Club, and Secretary of Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood. On the advice of His Grace Metropolitan Hermaniuk, he organized the Millennium Ukrainian Choir in 1980, at which time it flourished and performed at Roman Catholic and Ukrainian Catholic parishes in Manitoba, and a Gala Concert in 1988 in Winnipeg and Rome, Italy. He enjoyed attending Blue Bomber games and was a season ticket holder for 30 years. He loved camping and travelling with his family in their trailer across Canada and the United States. Bill and Anne took numerous vacation trips to Mexico. He enjoyed hosting friends at his home for dinners, and would graciously MC many religious and community events. Bill was very proud of his children and grandchildren. He loved swimming, downhill and water skiing. He recently went through various degrees of illness and was in and out of hospitals for the past four years. He was thrilled when he was accepted into Holy Family Home, even though it was for a very short time. Special thanks to all the medical staff and Dr. Taras Babick and Dr. Peter Bialy who took such good care of Bill for the last several years. Divine Liturgy will be sung 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at St. Andrew's Church, 160 Euclid Avenue in Winnipeg. Interment will follow the Liturgy at Holy Family Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Myron Matview, Michael Matview, Darren Sawchuk, Jordan Sawchuk, Wesley Myk, Peter Konopelny. Cross Bearer: Jerry Semerak. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrew's Church and Holy Family Home. VICHNAYA PAMYAT KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 27, 2013