Obituary of STEPHEN LAURENT NEWEDIUK

Stephen Laurent Newediuk April 24, 1933 – May 7, 2020 It is with broken hearts that we share the passing of our Father and Dido on Thursday, May 7, 2020 after a brief illness. He leaves to mourn his daughter Violet, husband Doug Fosty and cherished grandchildren Julian and Marysa. As well his Sister Anne, nieces, nephews and friends. He was a devoted, husband, father, Dido, brother, favourite Uncle, cousin and friend to many. He was predeceased by his wives, his parents, numerous cousins, brother Fred by 6 days and friends with whom he is now reunited with. He was a boy from the prairies, which gave him a solid foundation for his faith, commitment to family, strong work ethic, and resiliency to overcome hardship. He was born in Smuts, Saskatchewan and was the youngest of three surviving children of pioneers Ivan and Maria Newediuk (Sorokowski). He attended Pitt School, worked on the family farm and helped neighbours during harvest. In 1950 he came to Winnipeg to join other family members and worked to repair Winnipeg after the flood. He made new friends and spoke about the barn dances in Libau and Fraserwood. Within a few years he met and married Helen Muzyka at St. Mary the Protectress Church and they began their lives together embracing her family of sisters and brother. He worked for many years for Dominion Lumber eventually becoming an entrepreneur with his wife. With the birth of their daughter they enjoyed many happy times with family near and far. Sadly, his wife died and he took on both roles of Mother and Father to his young daughter, developing an everlasting bond. Together they ventured across the prairies for a fresh start. In Edmonton they lived with his cousin Jeanna and her family, joining St. Johns Cathedral and enrolling his daughter in sadochok while embracing a new life in Edmonton. Through the church, he met and married Halya Malycky and so began a new chapter. He worked hard to provide for his family, who was the centre of his life. Those years were filled with many trips across western Canada attending weddings and visiting with family in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Thunder Bay and Vancouver. He loved to travel and his road trips were reminisced about for decades. He always felt so honoured when his nieces and nephews would visit him. Following the passing of his mother, he received a calling to serve his church and became an Elder. He did this faithfully, diligently and meticulously for almost 30 years retiring only 8 years ago. In his later years at church he also volunteered in the kitchen for many functions and pyrohy suppers, where he enjoyed his new friends and the camaraderie they shared. He lived for being a Dido. His grandchildren filled his heart with love and joy and even though miles separated them for many years they spoke almost every day and spent time together when possible. He enjoyed hearing about their every accomplishment and activities. In his later years he was a faithful caregiver to wife Halya and following her passing 4 years ago he moved back to Winnipeg, to St. Mary the Protectress Villa where he embraced life and a fresh start once again. He was with his family and his heart was filled with joy being part of their daily life. Not a day went by that he didn’t call his sister to say hello and check on her. He embraced his new independent life at the Villa where he made new friends and enjoyed their company at parties, morning coffee, afternoon tea and of course church every Sunday and holiday. These last four years were filled with so many happy memories and activities as we caught up on lost time. He loved Folklorama, and even at his age was one of the last to leave the Ukrainian pavilion at night, listening to music where he always said the violin sang to him. Drives to the country, a picnic in the backyard, picking berries with the kids and our trip to Mexico were highlights of his recent years in Winnipeg, because as long as he was with his family, he was happy. We illuminated our Dido’s life as much as he did ours. He was so proud to be here for his grandchildren’s graduations and encouraged them in their studies and always shared his special Ukrainian phrases with them. The bond he shared with them was unmatched. They were best friends. He was a humble, kind, honourable and gentle man who shared his many gifts, stories, words of wisdom and everything he had with his family. We will miss his guiding words, soup making lessons and sense of humour, but he lives on in our hearts and will walk along side us in spirit. In memory of him, light a candle, say a prayer and call up a friend or relative and catch up over a cup of coffee and say something good. A private funeral service and internment has taken place in accordance with the current guidelines. A church panachyda will be held when we can gather again. In lieu of flowers, donations in honour of Steve may be made to Ukrainian Park for the upkeep of the Chapel, where he visited as a young man and again many times to watch his grandchildren at camp: c/o Ukrainian Park, Chapel, 233 Scotia Street, Winnipeg, MB R2V 1V7. Xpuctoc Bockpec Christ is Risen