Obituary of VOLODYMYR MYKOLA MALUZYNSKY

VOLODYMYR MYKOLA MALUZYNSKY

August 24, 1988 – June 17, 2025

It is with deep sorrow and immense love that we announce the sudden passing of Volodymyr “Vol/Vlodko/Volo/Volodya” Mykola Maluzynsky, age 36, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. His passing has left a profound emptiness in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Vol was a beloved son to Alexandra Nazarevich and Taras Maluzynsky, a devoted brother to Svitlana (J) and Antony (Melody), and a proud, adoring uncle to his cherished nephew Lystya, whose first steps Vol had the special and sole honour of witnessing. He was predeceased by his beloved Baba Anne “Anna” and Dido Alexander “Oleksa” Nazarevich, Baba Mary “Maria” and Dido Nicholas “Mykola” Maluzynsky, Teta Olya (Machula) Nadasdi, Prababa Ruzia and Pradid Fedir Machula, Uncle Nicholas “Mykola” Maluzynsky, and treasured family rescue dog Zoey. He is also remembered with love by his extended family and friends, all touched by his kindness, humour, and thoughtful spirit.

Vol was a graduate of the English-Ukrainian Bilingual Program, Collège Miles Macdonell Collegiate, University of Manitoba (Bachelor of Arts in Psychology), and the Canadian Armed Forces (Basic Military Qualification and member of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders Regiment). His favourite subject was art, in which he excelled and impressed his teachers and all who saw his work.

Vol was a man of deep thought and sharp wit. His favourite colour was blue. Like that colour, Vol carried a calm depth, quiet strength, and clarity that brought comfort and ease to those around him. He loved going for long walks with his parents and Zoey, going for bike rides, discovering new foods, and engaging in thought-provoking conversations. He had a bright and curious mind, a unique sense of humour, and a soulful, gentle way that made others feel truly seen and understood. In addition to being a talented artist and cartoonist, often crafting custom cards for family milestones, Vol enjoyed making people laugh with his signature one-liners, earning many a “Good one, Vol!”

A proud Winnipegger, Vol was an avid fan of the Winnipeg Jets, Blue Bombers, Sea Bears, and Goldeyes. He was a big sports buff and loved going to games with his family. NHL playoffs were always an exciting time for him. A recent and extraordinary highlight was attending the 2025 Manitoba Miracle Game 7 with Tato.

Vol was proud of his Ukrainian heritage and gave his time and support to causes and cultural events like Folklorama, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, and the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, where he found purpose, enrichment, and peace. He made lifelong connections through CYMK, an organization for Ukrainian Orthodox youth in Canada. In recent years, he and Svitlana valued supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

It certainly was special that Vol’s birthday was on Ukrainian Independence Day. Moreover, his first name was a tribute to his birth year being on the 1000-year anniversary of the Christianization of Kyivan Rus (modern-day Ukraine). He was honoured to share his name with two Ukrainian heroes: St. Volodymyr the Great of Kyiv and current Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. His middle name was in honour of another dear Ukrainian hero, his great-grandfather Pradid Fr. Mykola Maluzynsky of Liubar, Ukraine.

Vol had a big heart. He was exceptionally close to Baba Anna and made sure to take care of her to the best of his ability in her final years. In addition, he provided all his love to Zoey, making sure she was comfortable as she aged. Since their passing, Vol strengthened his bond with his parents and especially liked to spend time with Mama, taking an interest in each other’s various activities. One such special activity was attending Doors Open Winnipeg.

Some of Vol’s favourite pastimes included spending time with dogs, especially Zoey and Kalyna, reading to and playing outside with Lystya, watching movies, wearing his favourite hats, enjoying bonfires at Svitlana and J’s, and listening to his favourite artist, Taylor Swift. He even made personalized Taylor Swift friendship bracelets for Mama, Tato, Antony, and Melody.

Vol brought joy into everyday life, whether by working with a positive attitude at the Manitoba NDP phone bank, gladly helping family by driving them to and from appointments or the airport, or simply being present with loved ones over a meal. He was always up for a board game – especially Disney’s Villainous with Svitlana and J – and found happiness in shared time with the people he loved most. Some exceptionally joyous moments in Vol’s life were learning he was going to become an uncle in 2021 and again in 2024, as well as being one of the very first people to meet and hold Lystya on the day he was born.

In childhood, Vol looked forward to road-tripping with family to visit loved ones across various Canadian provinces every summer. As a teenager, he enjoyed his many visits to Ukraine, and in 2009, he had an adventurous summer in Nepal. In adulthood, he cherished his trips across Canada to visit his brother Antony in the different cities he lived: Toronto, Montréal, and Québec City. One unforgettable memory was attending the Toronto Raptors’ 2019 NBA Championship Parade together, surrounded by joy and celebration. Every time Antony moved, Vol would fly out to help: driving rental trucks between cities and sharing laughs, meals, and late-night chats on the road. These trips were sacred brotherly bonding time.

Vol enjoyed escaping to nature at Camp Veselka (built by Dido Oleksa), Gimli, Hecla Island, and more recently, at the Burke family cottage in Ontario, where he quickly took a fond liking to kayaking. Being away from the city, surrounded by trees, sky, and quiet water, brought him a special kind of peace.

Though his time with us was far too short, his legacy lives on in the laughter he shared, the love he gave, and the irreplaceable place he holds in our hearts.

He will be with us always.

Prayers will be held on Thursday, June 26 at 7:00 p.m., and the Funeral Service will take place on Friday, June 27 at 11:00 a.m., both at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, 1175 Main St. in Winnipeg. Interment to follow at Glen Eden Cemetery in West St. Paul. Guests are encouraged to wear Ukrainian attire in honour of Vol’s deep cultural pride.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Vol’s memory may be made to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, or a charity of one’s choice.

Livestreaming will be available for both services at HTUOMC.org.

Tributes and condolences may be shared at www.cropo.com.

VICHNAYA PAM’YAT! MEMORY ETERNAL!