Dr. Ostap Woloschuk

Obituary

Dr. Ostap Woloschuk was born on March 4, 1929, in Bohorodchany, Ukraine, the son of Mykhailo and Barbara (née Miczko) Woloszczuk. During his early life he endured both Soviet and German occupations during World War II. Fleeing westward with his family in 1944,  he eventually found refuge near Innsbruck, Austria where he completed his secondary education.  Fluent int Ukrainian, Polish, and German he started his medical studies at the University of Innsbruck but these were interrupted by financial constraints and the opportunity to emigrate to Canada.

Most members of the  Woloschuk family initially settled in Montreal, Canada. There, Ostap supported himself working as a dishwasher and later as an able-bodied seaman, while he learned French and English. Driven by a steadfast commitment to education, he earned his medical degree from Université de Montreal and subsequently completed a residency in General Surgery at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.

Upon returning to Canada, Dr. Woloschuk began his surgical practice in Toronto. In 1966, he married Natalie Brykowych, and together they raised three children, whom he loved deeply. He was a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada and held the position of Chief of Staff at Oshawa General Hospital His medical career later took him to Russellville, Alabama, where he served as the town's primary general surgeon for several decades.

Dr. Woloschuk retired in 2016 at the remarkable age of 87, after 65 years of devoted service in medicine and passed away at the Ivan Franko Home on May 7, 2025 in Mississauga. He was cherished by his patients and held in the highest esteem by colleagues for his professionalism, empathy, dedication, and exceptional surgical skill.

He was predeceased by his beloved siblings—brothers Andrew, Bohdan, and Eugene, each of whom also pursued careers in medicine—and by his sister Helen. He is fondly remembered by friends and family for his joie de vivre, keen sense of humor, loyalty, and generous spirit.

Ostap found great joy in skiing, hunting, and fishing, but his greatest pleasure came from spending time with his family. A devoted father and later an adoring grandfather, he cherished every moment with his loved ones.

He is survived by his children:

* Tamara Gisele (spouse Tim McGraw, son Maximilian),

* Bohdan Constantine (spouse Emily, son August),

* Adriana Lydia.

He is also lovingly remembered by his sister-in-law Tamara Woloschuk, and by many nieces and nephews:

* Children of Andrew: Andrea, Barbara, Michael, Stefan, Yvonne;

* Children of Bohdan: Halyna, Andriy. (Taras passed away in 2023);

* Child of Helen: George (Yury) Jaskiw;

* Children of Eugene: Walter, Eugene, Marianne, Mark.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 17 at 12:00 noon at St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 110 Franklin Ave., Toronto, Ontario. A funeral Mass will follow at 12:30PM.

Vichnaya yomu pamyat – Eternal memory!

Visitation

Service

Cremation