FR. HRYHORIJ FIL

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FR. HRYHORIJ FIL' November 20, 1932 - December 4, 2015 Fr. Hryhorij was born in Huty, the district of Konotop, Sumska oblast, Ukraine. It was the year that the imposed famine raged in Ukraine. In 1950 Fr. Hryhorij, with his family, arrived in Canada on a contract to work in Saskatchewan. After a year, they moved to Winnipeg, where he became active in the youth group and choir at the St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. He entered St. Andrew's College, Faculty of Theology in 1963, achieving his Licentiate of Theology in 1967. While completing his studies he met his future wife Olia Krysiuk whom he married in 1965. He was ordained into the Holy Order of Priesthood on August 21, 1966. Fr. Hryhorij's first parish was in Brandon, Manitoba. Deciding to further his education, he moved to Montreal in 1969, completing his Master's Degree in history at McGill University in 1973. While in Montreal he was reassigned to St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Winnipeg. In 1974, they moved to Radway, Alberta and after completing a Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Alberta in 1977, he taught at Smokey Lake, Alberta from 1977 until 1989. Fr. Hryhorij thought very highly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to propagate the word of God and for the salvation of the Ukrainian people and his homeland Ukraine. Fr. Hryhorij is survived by his only niece, Lydia (Gene) Emanuel of Edmonton, Alberta. He was predeceased by his wife Olia; his parents, Ivan and Wasylyna Fil'; sister, Olia and brother-in-law, John Illchenko, and his brother Mykhailo in Siberia. We the caregivers of Fr. Hryhorij would like to thank Dr. Taras Babick and Dr. Andrea Babick for their care and compassion. Thank you to Holy Family Home for the amazing care on St. Anne's Ward, to the Sisters of the SSMI, the nursing staff and caregivers for the past year. Thank you to Seven Oaks Hospital doctors and nursing staff on the 3rd Floor, Unit 5. Funeral service will be held 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 9 at St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 820 Burrows Ave. Interment will follow in Glen Eden Cemetery. VICHNAYA PAMYAT MEMORY ETERNAL KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 08, 2015