Mr. Feodor Djatschenko

Obituary

Djatschenko, Feodor (Fred) Ivanovich On November 7th, 2014, Feodor, aged ninety-two and three quarters, was mercifully released from illness and went to his reward after a long and exemplary life. He was born in Krasnodar on February 18th, 1922. He suffered many hardships as a child in Stalinist Russia, including banishment to Siberia, and was orphaned by the age of 12. During World War II he was part of a bridge building brigade in the Russian army, was captured and escaped multiple times, and at the end of the war, ended up in Canada as a Displaced Person. His early tribulations made him exceptionally resilient and self-reliant. He worked on a sugar beet farm, as a short order cook, a lumberjack, a shoemaker, a welder, and finally an electrician, fixing neon signs that bordered the Gardiner expressway and graced the sides of skyscrapers in Toronto. He was married to his wife Vera for 61 years and had two children, Ludmela (Ron Carter) and Viktor, 4 grandchildren, Veronica, Tim (Anja Stojsin), Emily and Stephanie, and a great grandson on the way. We hope their souls met in passing, as one left this world, and another prepared to enter it. Feodor took great pride in his work, and his home and cottage reflected his skill as a meticulous handyman. He also worked tirelessly to renovate and maintain the building at 23 Henry Street, which became the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church. He could often be found in the kitchen of the church hall, helping the ladies of the sisterhood fix their kitchen equipment or sharpen their knives in return for coffee and some fresh pirozhki. Feodor lived by simple rules. His love for his family, especially his grandchildren, was rock steady and boundless, and his family adored him in return. He was a devoted friend and neighbour, and would happily make pizza for anyone who stopped by for a visit. His easygoing nature and mischievous sense of humour endeared him to all who met him. He was a good, kind, hard working, honest man, a source of strength and an inspiration to us all. He has gone to be with his wife and son, who predeceased him, but his place in our hearts is enormous, and he will always be with us. We love you, Didi. Feodor’s family would like to sincerely thank the staff at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Guelph who showed him great care and compassion in his final months. Your dedication to him was deeply appreciated. There will be a memorial service at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 23 Henry Street, on Sunday, November 9 at 7:30 pm and a funeral service on Monday, November 10 at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or to St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Guelph, would be greatly appreciated.

Visitation

Service

Burial / Entombment / Cremation