Mr. Roman Wasyl Zurba

Obituary

Roman had a strong sense of duty, steadfast moral compass and deep devotion to his Ukrainian heritage. These values guided his every action - compassionate, quiet (but chatty), curious, with a wonderful sense of humour.

The oldest of 6, his early life was spent as a typical ‘50’s child - playing outside in Trinity-Bellwoods park, heading home when the streetlights came on. In his teens, the family moved to the suburbs of Etobicoke. He attended Ukrainian school starting in grade 1, and after graduating, taught culture and history there for many years. U of T Mississauga followed (B.A. in anthropology and archaeology). For his Masters degree research, he spent a year at Leningrad University (now St Petersburg) with his wife Irka. Later, he realized he was in the same year as Putin, although they never met.

Returning to Toronto, Roman joined the Armored Corps of the Canadian Armed Forces, having been a high school cadet. Stationed in the North, he experienced the Northern Lights, polar bears and the merits of wool over cotton. This wasn’t a good fit, so he went back to U of T for a Master in Library Science. After graduating, he worked at Atomic Energy, and was thrilled with the arrival of daughter Andrea, followed by son Alex. He then started a 30-year career at CIBC, in various library, information and learning management roles. It was there that he met his soulmate and partner-in-adventure, Cynthea, wed in 2013 after many years together.

Roman found joy and fulfillment in many things - Sunday hikes with Alex, UberDeedo afterschool pick up for Emma and Evie, sharing memes with Andrea, visiting his mom in Kingston, tormenting LucyFur, beer night with “the guys”, puttering in the garden (especially his “field of garlic”), camping with the kids and passing on his love of nature, curating a daily e-newsletter on events in Ukraine, a lively debate, mangling words and names, trips to the cottage, sharing his vast knowledge, delighting in Cynthea’s embrace of all things Ukrainian, being part of the varenyky-making team at St Joseph Church, and travelling the world with Cynthea (not a camper!) from New Zealand to Iceland, Scotland, Ukraine and his happy place, Anna Maria Island.  

What was most important to Roman were his family and close friends. He took his big brother role very seriously. Not one for fuss, he showed his love through kind deeds and quiet support, for those close by or in Ukraine. With Alex, Andrea and the girls, he was always available for guidance and direction, but let them find their own path. He was a devoted son, and a wonderful, caring husband, happily going beyond his comfort zone on new adventures, as long as Cynthea was by his side.

Roman passed away unexpectedly, after a brief illness, in the cardiac care unit of Mississauga Trillium Hospital. While he will be missed beyond measure, he has provided an exemplary role model for his children and granddaughters. Lovingly remembered by his wife Cynthea, daughter Andrea (Steven) and son Alex, granddaughters Emma and Evelyn, his mother Iwanna, siblings Ola, Jurij, Ivan, Nadia (Stuart) and Lev (Luba), many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, the Penmans, the Kolodijs and extended family across Ontario, Ukraine and Scotland and many dear friends. He is predeceased by his father Jaroslav and brothers-in-law Fergus and Michael.

Loved ones and friends will be received at the Cardinal Funeral Home, Annette on Sunday January 18, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Panakhyda at 4:00. In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests a donation to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. Internment at St Volodymyr Ukrainian Cemetery and Celebration of Life will take place in the Spring.

Visitation

Service

Burial / Entombment / Cremation