Mr. Roman Wrzesnewskyj

Obituary

After a courageous battle with cancer, Roman passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 31, 2009, at Toronto's St. Joseph's Hospital, in his 82nd year surrounded by family. Beloved husband of Irene (nee Kussy) for 56 years, dear father ('tato') of Ruslana and of Borys, and proud grandfather of Petra, Yara, Anka, Olena and Viktoria. Fondly remembered by numerous nieces, nephews and godchildren, by his 'Future Bakery' family and many friends. Predeceased by brother Bohuslaw, mother Anna (Zawadovych) and father Felix. Roman and his parents were refugees who fled the horrors of Soviet and Nazi terror during the Second World War and arrived on Canada's shores with dreams of peace and hopes for a better future. Roman instilled in his children and grandchildren a deep appreciation and love for our great country Canada and an active engagement in our democracy and its resultant freedoms. Alongside his love for Canada, dad, 'tato', also taught us to respect the history, struggles and sacrifices of our ancestral roots in Ukraine. In typical immigrant fashion, he worked hard; picking tobacco, shovelling coal for the railroad, then working as a dish washer in Winnipeg, while in his spare time he was a member of The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. The family saved their earnings and saw the fulfillment of their immigrant dreams when they opened their first business, a bakery in the big city of Toronto. They named it 'Future Bakery' for it was to be their vehicle towards building a better future for our family. Over the decades Roman worked hard in building successful businesses, while living his life to the fullest. Although believing in always fulfilling one's obligations, he was known to sneak away from the bakery with employees and head off to the tennis courts. Roman was principled in his belief of giving back to community, to his country and to his country of birth Ukraine. He was unswayable in his values, a perpetual optimist, a friend to turn to for advice; the rock of our family. While we know that he is always with us, we will all miss his physical presence. Friends and family are invited for visitation and Panachyda services on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 4 Bellwoods Ave. (at Queen St. W.) at 7:30 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church followed by interment at Park Lawn Cemetery in Etobicoke. Afterwards a luncheon and celebration of Roman's life will be held at King's Garden Banquet Hall (Etobicoke). In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make a donation to Help Us Help The Children (2118-A Bloor St. W., Toronto, ON M6S 1M8).
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Visitation

Service

Burial / Entombment / Cremation