Eugene Bohdan Roslycky
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Obituary published in the Winnipeg
Free Press, on 11 January 2008
" It is with profound sadness that the family of
Eugene Bohdan Roslycky announces his passing at the
University Hospital in London, Ontario on January 4,
2008.
He leaves to cherish his memory his children Oleh and
Lada, his brother Myroslaw, his sister Olga and brother-in-law
Myron Kruk, his special friend Lew Bodnar of Chicago,
his Godson Myron Bodnar, his cousin Theresa and many
nieces and nephews.
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Eugene was born May 8, 1927 in Towste, Western Ukraine to
Mykola and Felicia Roslycky. He was the middle child. Eugene's
education was lifelong and worldwide. His formal education
started in the Ukraine and continued through Germany, Canada
and the United States where he received his Ph.D in Microbiology
in 1960. Although he had many offers to stay in the U.S.A.
and work in his profession, he decided to return to Canada
and work at the University of Western Ontario in London, mostly
for Agriculture Research Canada where he contributed to much
ground-breaking work related to genetic modification. Over
the years, he was an official Canadian delegate to World Congresses
of Microbiologists in Japan, Moscow, Egypt and others.
Eugene had a passion for community work on many levels -
educational, political and literary. He belonged to the Ukrainian
Canadian Congress and was the President of the UCC in London
for over 20 years. He was also the President of the Education
Commission of the UCC Ontario Council and initiator of the
annual festival of the Living Word - Djevoho Slova. As president
of the Heritage School Commission of the UCC, Ontario, he
was the editor of the quarterly handbook publication Ridnoshkilnyk.
He was president of the Commission for the decolonization
of the USSR, a member of the Commission for National Rights
and of the Ukrainian World Congress. He translated Jerzy Jedrzejewicz's
Noce Ukrainskie albo Rodowod Geniusza - a biographical novel
about Taras Shevchenko - from the original Polish and published
it in Ukrainian as Ukrainian Nights or the Genealogy of a
Genius.
| The Canadian Federal Government bestowed
upon him the 125th Anniversary Canada Medal. He was honoured
by the Government of Ontario for his many years of committed
work to democratic principles and responsible citizenship,
and to the promotion and retention of the Ukrainian cultural
heritage. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress awarded him
with the Shevchenko Medal. For his work in Ukraine after
its liberation, the Ukrainian Orthodox Patriarchy in Kiev
bestowed upon him its highest honour (even though he was
Catholic). He also received a medal from the Ukrainian
government for his work on both the political and cultural
level. |
Throughout his life Eugene was involved in ways that he thought
would benefit the community, particularly the Ukrainian Canadian
community and Ukraine. He authored countless articles, pamphets,
papers and other publications in both English and Ukrainian
that were educational, political, literary and critical. Although
Eugene accomplished much more in life than most people, he
still had much to do and many plans and dreams to realize.
It was not to be. Man has his plans. God has his. It is time
to rest. Farewell-sweet peace!
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to
the following charities: Smoloskyp at mbf@smoloskyp.org.ua
or Chernobyl Children's Project International at info@chernobyl-international.org.
Divine Liturgy followed by Parastas will take place 10:00
a.m. Saturday, January 12 at Sts. Vladimir and Olga Metropolitan
Cathedral, 115 McGregor St. with Rt. Rev. Msgr. Mitrat Michael
Buyachok and Protodeacon Michael Woroby officiating. Interment
will be at All Saints Cemetery. VICHNAYA PAM'YAT! KORBAN FUNERAL
CHAPEL 956-2193."
Source:
Photo, obituary and Ukrainian
translation provided by Oleh Roslytzy (May 2009). 
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