JOHN (IVAN) GORBAY

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JOHN (IVAN) GORBAY
April 21, 1924 – December 10, 2020

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather John (Ivan) Gorbay. He died peacefully with his family by his side on December 10, 2020, at the Grace Hospital.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Maria of 47 years, his daughters Nadia (Jeff) and Vera (David) and his grandchildren Ethan, Liam, and Veronica.
John was born on April 21, 1924 near Lviv, Ukraine. Unfortunately, in his teen years, he was separated from his family and circumstances lead him to Germany, where he worked as a labourer on a family farm and learned the craft of tailoring. In 1947, he immigrated to Canada and worked as a lumber jack in Northern Ontario. In 1950, he came to Winnipeg to visit friends, and shortly thereafter, he decided to make Winnipeg his home.
In 1973, John met Maria and they got married on June 23 of the same year at Blessed Virgin Mary Church. A year later they welcomed their first daughter, Nadia, and then their second daughter, Vera, five years later. While raising a family and working full-time, he still found time to garden and build the family home, in which they lived in until this day, and worked on his life-long project- the family cabin.
Over the years, he worked in various jobs, as a delivery driver, butcher, tailor, train attendant, and in construction as a home builder. However, for the majority of his life, he worked as a tailor at the Wonderful World of Sheepskin, where he retired at the age of 88.
John had a strong work ethic and belief in the Ukrainian Catholic faith. He also valued the importance of instilling the Ukrainian language and culture in his children. Throughout the years, he enjoyed playing hide and seek with his girls, reading stories, turning the skipping rope, teaching them how to ride a bike, taking them tobogganing and skating, spending time at the cabin, made a real-life playhouse, spent lots of time driving around to various events, eventually teaching them how to drive and always made time to talk and give advice. In his later years, he enjoyed seeing his grandchildren and even though he was no longer physically able to do all the things he wanted to with them, he enjoyed having them around and watching them play. He also had many good friends whose friendships he cherished throughout the years. He had a great sense of humour but could also be very serious. Above all, he had a great love for his family and always put their needs before his own. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him!
A thank you to all the doctors and staff that looked after him at CancerCare Manitoba throughout the years. All the doctors and staff at the Grace Hospital that took care of him on his numerous visits. As well, as the home care staff that helped with his care this past year.
A private service will be held this Saturday, December 19 at Blessed Virgin Mary Church, followed by a burial service at All Saints Cemetery at 12:00 p.m. Anyone wishing to attend the burial service can listen via radio in their vehicle.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to CancerCare Manitoba.

Vichnaya Pamyat Ivasyu,
tato i dido (dzia dzia)!

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 19, 2020