WALTER OLEH ROMANIW

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

WALTER OLEH ROMANIW, QC It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Walter Oleh Romaniw on March 7, 2016. Predeceased by his parents Semen and Olha (Bashuk) and his son Steven, he leaves to mourn his passing his wife Irene (Lewicki); daughter Martha and son-in-law Jody Klapprat; and cherished grandchildren Sebastian, Madelynne and Nathaniel. He also leaves extended family in Canada and Ukraine. Oleh was born on March 7, 1944 in Komancza, Ukraine. Sponsored by Oleh's uncle, John Romaniw, the family immigrated to Canada in October, 1946 and settled on a farm near Weirdale, Saskatchewan. Although they soon moved to Winnipeg, Oleh always had fond memories of summers spent on the farm with his aunt and uncle. A North End boy at heart, Oleh was educated at St. Nicholas School (now Immaculate Heart of Mary School) and St. John's High School where he played football for the Tigers. Oleh received his BA from St. Paul's College at the University of Manitoba in 1966, his Bachelor of Law in 1969, and was called to the bar in 1970. He was appointed Queen's Council in December, 1993. Oleh practiced law for 35 years starting at Bowles, Pybus and retiring from Inkster, Christie, Hughes in 2005. His many clients will remember him as an organized, competent and honest lawyer who always put his clients' interests first. Oleh and Irene met at the youth club at St. Nicholas Church and were married there on August 17, 1968. They adopted Steven in 1974 and welcomed Martha to the family in 1977. Martha recalls spending countless hours with her father throwing a baseball around the back yard, fishing off Gimli pier and watching summer storms roll in from the front porch. Winters were spent car-pooling the children to school and lessons and summers enjoying the cottage at the lake in Ponemah. They were busy and happy times. Because he was an only child, Oleh was extremely grateful for family. There are no words to describe the joy that Martha and the grandchildren brought to his life. Oleh was a proud Ukrainian-Canadian and contributed to the rich culture of the Ukrainian community in Winnipeg and Canada. He served from 1972-1984 on the Board of Directors of the Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. He was pivotal in enhancing the international reputation of Rusalka by organizing trips for them to perform in Canada, the USA, London, Scotland, Soviet Ukraine and Rome where the group danced and met privately with Pope John Paul ll at his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. Rusalka was like family to Oleh. He was their biggest fan. The friendships formed and nourished over the years were a great source of happiness and comfort to him. In 1984, the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate asked Oleh to be on their Advisory Board at Immaculate Heart of Mary School where he served them and the Catholic Schools Foundation with dedication until 1999. In 1989, Oleh became a member of the National Executive of the Brotherhood of Ukrainian Catholics in Canada and also a Director of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Oleh served two terms as President of the UCC from 1992-1998 which gave him the opportunity to travel to Ukraine several times. These trips provided the opportunity to reconnect with his Ukrainian relatives. For his outstanding contributions to the Ukrainian Community, Oleh was presented with the Shevchenko Medal in 2004, the highest honour the UCC bestows. Oleh was always very sociable. He and Irene enjoyed traveling and entertaining friends and family. Oleh's gourmet cooking was always appreciated. As a self-described "golf geek", Oleh loved the many trips he took with his buddies to golf the great courses of Scotland, Ireland, Spain, the USA, and Canada. He also enjoyed attending the theatre, opera, and symphony; rooting for his favourite football team, the Minnesota Vikings; collecting coins and solving complex crossword puzzles. In recent years as his health deteriorated, he loved to spend time in his basement den watching television with Maggie, the dog, close by. The family would like to thank the Cardiac Response Team at St. Boniface Hospital; Dr. Chochinov, Heidi, Teresa Campbell, the priests and Karen and Angie Percy for their support on March 7. As well, we would like to thank the East Kildonan AA Group for their help and fellowship these last years. Cremation has taken place. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Friday, April 8, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 737 Bannerman Avenue with a Basilian Father officiating. In lieu of flowers, if friends so wish, contributions in Oleh's memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, PO Box 2598, Station Main, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4B3, to Immaculate Heart of Mary School c/o Lubov Foundation, 1085 Main St., Winnipeg, MB, R2S 3S1, to St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church Dome Lighting Project, 737 Bannerman Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 1J9 or to a charity of their choice. Rest in peace, dear Oleh. You will be missed. Chrystos Voskres, Christ is Risen! KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL (204)956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 02, 2016