HARRY BEREZA

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HARRY BEREZA Peacefully, on June 13, 2014 our dear husband and father passed away surrounded by his family. Prayers will be held in the chapel of the Omega Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held in the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Father Michael Tkachuk officiating. Predeceased by his mother Maria, his father Luka, brothers Mychaylo, Bohdan, and Ivan, sister Olena, cousins John Bereza, Paranya and Vasyl Cebry. Survived by his wife Sonia, daughters Luba of Winnipeg and Kelly (Al) of Marquette, sisters Olya and Paranya of Ukraine and many nephews, nieces and extended family in Ukraine as well as Sonia's extended family in Ukraine. He is also survived by Nell Bereza, Carol Bereza (Evan and Cara), Lasha Thurston (Edward, Stephanie and Julie), Mike Cebry, Pete Cebry and cousin Maria Lawro of New York. Harry was born on July 17, 1925, in Krywycza, Rava-Ruska in Ukraine, then part of Poland. He was one of seven children brought up on a farm in relative calm before the storm of the Second World War. In 1943, Harry along with his cousins John and Paranya, were removed to labour camps in Germany and Harry's family fled to Lviv. Like thousands of Ukrainians after the war, he found himself in a displaced person's camp. It was here that he met and married Sonia in 1949. By 1950, he and his new bride made their way to Canada and a new life. He started his working life as a farm hand, picking beets, then began working for CN rail and finally finishing his working life at the Canadian Forces base in Portage. His work ethic was second to none - he was a remarkable role model for his family and we could only hope to have his drive and determination. He happily retired in 1990 and devoted his time to taking care of his home, yard and garden. He also become an avid cribbage player and spent many happy hours with Sonia playing cards at the Herman Prior Centre. Harry was dedicated to taking care of his family and his local Ukrainian community. He was a member of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Portage for over 60 years and was a deacon's assistant for many years. He was a member of the Ukrainian Brotherhood Association and volunteered as secretary for the League of Ukrainian Canadians for decades. Harry also ran the canteen for the church bingo for over 35 years, becoming an expert in bingo dabbers. His most enduring commitment though, was to his wife Sonia to whom he'd been married for 64 years, in partnership and love. The family would like to thank the dedicated and caring staff at Douglas Campbell Lodge where Harry resided for the last three years. If so desired, donations can be made to the Parkinson Society of Manitoba or Douglas Campbell Lodge. Flowers are gratefully declined. Vichnaya Pamyat. A tribute DVD in memory of Harry will be produced by the Omega Funeral Home, condolences may be sent to the family c/o Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Road South, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, R1N 1T8, 1-800-303-4621 or friends may leave a message of sympathy on our web site www.omegafuneralhome.com "Dedicated to those we serve"

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 16, 2014