Obituary of LEO BALUTA

DANIEL BALUTA

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Leo, loving husband, father and grandfather, who peacefully passed away at Holy Family Home, with loved ones at his side.

Leo was born on February 11, 1932 in Brody, Ukraine. He was married to Oksana Baluta and together they had three sons, Gregory, Basil and Daniel.

He leaves to mourn his loving wife Oksana, of 51 years; sons, Gregory (Damla), Basil (Jennifer) and Daniel (Renée); and grandchildren, Katy, Isabelle, Claire, Samuel, Sofia, Elsa and Mavi. Leo also leaves to mourn his brother John; sisters-in-law, Martha and Christina; brother-in-law, Myron; as well as nieces and nephews, Jerry, Alex, Bohdan, John, Bohdan, Marusia, Halia, John, Paul, Andrew and Taras. Leo was predeceased by grandmother Maria Gulinowsky; parents, Pearl and William Baluta; and sister and brother-in-law Julia and Alexander Maslanyk.

Leo worked at CN, as well as a realtor and as a journeyman painter and home renovator. He was also an active member of the Ukrainian community as a parishioner of the Ukrainian Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Sts. Vladimir & Olga, a scout and scout leader with Plast, and a former board member of the North Winnipeg Credit Union.

Leo was kind, generous, loving and an adventurous spirit who loved to laugh and make others laugh with him. He also loved road trips with his family every summer, but especially in the fall when the trees displayed their colours. He enjoyed skiing, skating, hockey, baseball, soccer and team tobogganing with his wife and boys. He was great at cards and for him "deuces never loses", making his success on a highly improbable strategy. He made the best tea for skiing, and loved to drive his Buick to his own little tune. He liked to collect stamps, and could never pass up a good deal on a jacket. Leo especially loved his family and grandchildren and loved spending time with them.

Special thanks for the angelic love and care provided by the staff at Holy Family Home run by Sisters, Darlene, Ruth, Oresta, SSMI, and to Dr. Terry and Dr. Andrea Babick as well as the nurses and health care aides. Also thanks to the staff at Seven Oaks Hospital and the Health Sciences Centre for the medical care provided to Leo over the past two months. Thanks to the kindness, love and care shown by all to Leo.

Prayers will be said on Tuesday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Divine Liturgy will be held on Wednesday, July 24 at 10:00 a.m. at Ukrainian Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Sts. Vladimir & Olga, 115 McGregor Street.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Holy Family Home, Lubov or a charity of your choice.

Vichnaya Pamyat.