Obituary of Myroslaw Morgotch

MORGOTCH - Mr. Myroslaw Morgotch, resident of the Yorkton and District Nursing Home, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2009. Myroslaw Morgotch was the youngest son of Ivan and Katerina Morgotch (nee Paley) of Chernivtsi, Bukovina in the Ukraine. Born August 17, 1924 he experienced the best and worst life had to offer in his brief 84 years. He witnessed the enforced collectivization of his family's land and saw his father shot for refusing to give up the farmland to Joseph Stalin's roving bands of enforcers. As a secondary student he was pressed into the Russian army near the end of the second world war. He survived the harsh training, the battlefield and the prisoner of war camps. While working as a driver for the British army in Germany after the war, Myrolsaw met and married Sophia Stanczoy. A year later their first son was born. While awaiting repatriation, he heard disquieting rumors of the fate of Russian army POWs who returned home to the Soviet Union. Rather than return to face a firing squad or the prospect of exile and forced labor in Siberia Myroslaw opted to emigrate to Canada to start a new life. In November 1948 Myroslaw, his wife and son arrived in Canada, sponsored by his great uncle in West Bend, Saskatchewan. He worked as a farm labourer for three years to pay off his passage to Canada. After working off his passage, he turned to painting and decorating to support his growing family. He was soon in high demand as a house painter, drywaller and a flooring installer. In 1956 he struck out on his own with Melvin's Painting and Decorating based in Yorkton. By this time the family had grown to three sons, Alex, Orest and Melvin Jr. In 1960 he turned to the work he enjoyed more than anything, driving a tractor trailer unit which he continued in various capacities until he retired. A devout Ukrainian Orthodox Christian, he attended and supported the local Orthodox Church while trying to raise his family in the best Ukrainian traditions. Though retired, Myroslaw wasn't one to sit idly about. He continued to paint houses, drive taxi and work hard physically until he was forced to slow down a little because of his health. A Stroke which left him paralyzed on his left side caused him to relocate to the Yorkton and District Nursing Home where he received excellent care until his passing. Myroslaw was predeceased by his son Orest; parents Ivan and Katerina; brothers Wasyl and Metro; and sisters Lekeria and Paraska. He leaves to celebrate his life, Sophia, sons Alexander (Sonjia) and Melvin, and grandchildren Rebecca (Anthony), Stuart, Stephen and Michael, and his sister Saveta. The funeral service was held on Thursday, March 26, 2009 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre. Very Rev. Father Mel Slashinsky of Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton officiated. Cantor, William Kozey, assisted by members of the Parish Choir, sang the responses. George Prokopchuk was the sacristan. The interment took place in the Garden of Gethsemene with Yaroslaw Morgotch, Yuri Kitzul, Michael Zanevich, and Stephen and Stuart Morgotch serving as the casketbearers. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Thursday, March 26th, 2009 10:30am, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens