In 40 Day Memoriam - Bohdan Holynsky

Family and friends sadly miss Bohdan (Robert) Myroslaw Holynsky who passed away peacefully in his 85^th year on Sunday, February 13, 2011, in Mississauga, Ont.

During Bohdan Holynsky’s extraordinary life journey, he inspired so many people with his generous spirit and unconditional love of family and friends. He was a true intellectual, prolific writer, academic and gifted educator who taught science with the Toronto and Etobicoke Boards of Education for over 30 years. He had a beautiful tenor singing voice and a great love of music, Ukrainian culture and literature.

The following excerpts were delivered in a eulogy by his daughter Laryssa Varjee:

Tato was born on March 21, 1926 in the village of Khylchytsi near Zolochiw in Western Ukraine. He was the eldest of two children born to Mychailo and Halyna Holynsky. Tato’s love of music was genetic; his father Mychailo was a famous opera singer and his mother Halyna was a concert pianist.

Tato came to Canada in September 1947. He completed his BA at the University of Toronto and earned his MA from the University of Ottawa where he pursued his PhD in Slavic Studies. Unfortunately, he could not complete his thesis on the works of Ukrainian Poet Ivan Franko due to the passing away of his faculty advisor.

It was somehow fitting that Tato passed away the day before St. Valentine’s Day because we always considered him the King of Love. He absolutely adored his family and we were always very much loved. He called Mama and his daughters his “kotyky” – kittens. Even when he was very ill in his last few weeks, he called me “kotyk” during one of my visits to him in hospital. Tato also called us his princesses number 1, 2, or 3. He also lovingly referred to his granddaughters as princesses. Tato, of course, was thrilled to have three grandsons, whom he referred to as “kozaky”.

Tato loved music and loved to sing. He was a passionate and long-time member of Burlaka Ukrainian Male Choir, Canadian Ukrainian Opera Chorus and St. Andrew the Apostle Ukrainian Orthodox Church Choir. We believe Tato died on a Sunday morning so that he could sing in the heavenly choir for Sunday Divine Liturgy.

Tato loved children and loved to teach. He was always very concerned about educational issues and the next generation, and still recently spoke about regretting his retirement from teaching in June 1991.

Tato very richly and selflessly contributed to numerous Ukrainian organizations such as the Ukrainian National Federation, Canadian Friends of Ukraine, and Help Us Help the Children. He was very well known and respected for all that he did. He was devoted to his native Ukraine and its people, and made numerous trips to Ukraine to brighten the lives of orphans.

Bohdan Holynsky leaves behind his beloved wife of 58 years, Olesia (Alexandra), treasured daughters (and sons-in-law) Roma (Gord), Christine (Taras) and Laryssa (Hendrik), and cherished grandchildren Nadine, Tanya, Mark, Nicholas, Noah and Anka. He also leaves behind his sister Myroslava and family in Canada, the U.S. and Ukraine.

Vichnaya Iomu Pamyat’ –

May his Memory be Eternal

On behalf of family, many friends, and especially students whose lives had been touched by Bohdan Holynsky’s kind heart and generous spirit,

John Pidkowich, “former student”