Obituary of FRED JOHN RUSSIN

FRED JOHN RUSSIN

July 9, 1933 - October 15, 2017

 It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Fred John Russin, aged 84 years, on Sunday, October 15, 2017, in Winnipeg.

 Fred was born on July 9, 1933 in Melnice, now Petersfield, Manitoba and was predeceased by his father Peter (1969) and mother Stella (née Pasicka, 2001).

 Left to mourn his passing are his loving wife of 54 years Geraldine (née Chaykowski); his two sons Michael of Winnipeg and Ted and wife Karen (née Parsons); and his two precious granddaughters Hannah and Julia of Poughkeepsie, New York, United States. He is also survived by his sister Edna Wishnowski, Petersfield, Manitoba; brothers Emil and wife Sophia of Australia and Steve and wife Stephanie of Petersfield, Manitoba.

 Fred attended Armistice School, Petersfield, Manitoba, and Winnipeg Beach High School, Winnipeg Beach, Manitoba. As the oldest son he worked hard on the family farm. He worked many jobs as a car mechanic and in 1962 became a Winnipeg Transit Bus Operator - a position he held for 31 years. During his time with the Winnipeg Transit System he received numerous monthly safe driving commendations and 'Operator of the Month' and 'Safe Driver of the Year' awards. In addition to this, he managed and maintained a residential real estate business in Winnipeg for over 50 years. Fred enjoyed playing accordion in many different bands for over 50 years. He enjoyed mushroom picking and tending to his raspberries, grapes and garden and was an avid collector of model John Deere tractors. In his retirement he enjoyed auditing courses at the University of Manitoba. In 1993 he volunteered to teach conversational English in Ukraine through the Ukrainian National Association, Incorporated, and returned in 1996 to document his family history. Fred was an active participant in the Ukrainian-Canadian community. He was a longtime member of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral. He was also a member of the Order of Saint Andrew - Winnipeg Chapter, Saint Andrew's College, the Ukrainian National Home Association, the Ukrainian Self-Reliance League of Canada and was its Winnipeg representative to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, the Ukrainian Professional and Business Club of Winnipeg and the Sons of Ukrainian Pioneers (S.O.U.P.). He also held leadership positions in the Ukrainian Reading Association 'Prosvita' (Chytalnia), recently as president, and the Ukrainian Voice newspaper/Trident Press, Limited, as vice president.

 The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, 1175 Main Street, officiated by Father Gene Maximiuk. Entombment to follow at Glen Eden Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fred's memory to Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, or a charity of one's choice.