JOZEF DEMKO

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JOZEF DEMKO It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Jozef Demko, with loved ones by his side, on Thursday, December 17, 2015 at HSC after a courageous battle with cancer. Jozef was born in Olszanowo, Poland on April 25, 1948. His family came from the Peremyshl region of Ukraine, but were forcibly relocated in 1947 during the communist regime's mass deportation of Ukrainians, known as Akcja Wisla. He attended the first Ukrainian boarding school in Poland and later, completed teacher's college in Szczecinek. A lifelong lover of literature and the arts, he finished his Master's in Ukrainian studies at the University of Warsaw. There, he was also a member of the Ukrainian men's choir, Zhuravli (The Cranes), and it was at a performance that he met his future wife, Julia Gracon. They were married in 1976, and were soon joined by a son, Alex. With his wife and son, he immigrated to Winnipeg in 1980, joining his parents and sisters. He quickly discovered and joined the city's vibrant Ukrainian community. Always a lively character, he loved to make music, joke, philosophize, and discuss politics and history. He enjoyed producing community programming for television, with his program "Ukrainorama," and for radio through CKJS. He was particularly proud of his front-page finish in the Manitoba Marathon and his freelance journalism work for the CBC. The family grew with the addition of a daughter, Nadia (1992), and grandchildren, Victoria (2008) and Paul (2011). Jozef could often be found singing, playing the harmonica and sharing his joy of life with them. He spent many years with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, caring for those who were chronically ill, disabled, or dying. He later became a recreation coordinator at Holy Family Home, spreading his contagious good humour and spirit with the residents. He particularly enjoyed playing St. Nicholas, a role he performed in his last weeks despite his advanced disease. He is survived by his loving wife Julia (née Gracon) of 40 years; son Alex (Luba); daughter Nadia (Artem); grandchildren, Victoria and Paul; siblings, Stanislaw, Yaroslava (Miroslaw), and Luba; nieces, Olia, Stefania (Jurek), and Krystyna (Yuriy); nephews, Joseph (Mirka) and Orest; siblings-in-law, Lubomira (Neil), Jan (Grazyna), and Jaroslaw (Gosia). He was predeceased by his parents Mykhaylo and Aniela-Olena (née Melnyk); nephew Walter; sister-in-law Maria. Prayers will be sung on December 22 at 7:00 p.m. at Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Cathedral, 115 McGregor St., Winnipeg. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on December 23 at 10:00 a.m., also at the Cathedral, with Rt. Rev. Msgr. Mitrat M. Buyachok officiating. Interment to follow at All Saints Cemetery. The pallbearers are: Alexander Cap, Prof. Orest Cap, Nicholas Iacobciuc, Norbert Iwan, Taras Kitasz, Jozef Madejczyk, Miroslaw Madejczyk, and Slawomir Waplak. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jozef's memory may be made to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, 145 Evans Avenue, Suite 300, Toronto, ON, M8Z 5X8, or online at www.cufoundation.ca/donate. A special thanks to all the health professionals involved in his care. VICHNAYA PAMYAT KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-956-2193
Publish Date: Dec 21, 2015

JOZEF DEMKO Peacefully, on Thursday, December 17, 2015 at Health Sciences Centre, Jozef Demko, aged 67, beloved husband of Julia. Panachyda will be sung 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 22 at Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Cathedral, 115 McGregor St. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 23, also at the Cathedral. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Canada-Ukraine Foundation, 145 Evans Avenue, Suite 300, Toronto, ON, M8Z 5X8 or online at http://www.cufoundation.ca/donate. Further obituary in Monday's edition. KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-956-2193
Publish Date: Dec 19, 2015

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 21, 2015