EUGENE STEPHEN GRYBA

April 8, 1939 – October 11, 2016

Gene was born on a farm in Yellow Creek, Saskatchewan, during Easter weekend. His childhood was spent in the closeness of his nuclear family but also the security of his Gryba and Borsa extended family. Like most farm boys, he started serious farm work at an early age. He drove his Dad’s Cat 20 when he was ten years old and was terribly proud to do it.

When Gene completed high school in Yellow Creek, he went on to the University of Saskatchewan under the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Officer Training Plan. While at University, Gene stayed at the Peter Mohyla Institute. The years at Mohyla were special in his life. The students there bonded like family and had lots of fun while learning about and taking part in their Ukrainian culture. Gene graduated with a BA in 1960.

Following graduation, he took over the farming at home while his father was recovering from illness. Feeling responsible and being responsible was one of Gene’s strong characteristics. In 1961 Gene went into the Army Ordance Corps for about four years of service. He was a Lieutenant and served in Montreal, Camp Bordan, Regina, Rivers and finally with the United Nations Emergency Forces just outside the Gaza strip. When Gene reflected on his years in the army, he remembered it as a happy carefree time in his life, full of comradery, adventure and travel.

In the fall of 1964, Gene took his release from the Army and re-enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan in the College of Education. Once again he stayed at the Peter Mohyla Institute. It was at this time he met Marusia Bayda. They married on August 28, 1965. The next year they lived in Kinley where Marusia taught school and Gene completed his B.Ed. with distinction. In 1966 Gene and Marusia went adventuring in the north specifically to the small fly in community of Deschambault Lake. That is where Gene’s lifelong love of the north began. He always got a thrill when he hit the boreal forest as he headed up north.

After Deschambault, Gene and Marusia moved to Regina and enjoyed being avid Roughrider fans. The following year they moved to Prince Albert where they settled.

During their years in Prince Albert, Gene held various positions in education and consulting. He worked as a Guidance Councillor for Northern School Board; adapted and wrote ‘Life Skills for Northern Adolescents’; was Supervisor of Students Services for the Rural School Division; Superintendent for Northern Lights School Division. Eventually, Gene and Ernie Lawton formed their own consulting business (SERD Consultants). They were a powerful duo in the field of First Nations Education. It was a time of change and they were progressive, committed and hard working. There was mutual respect between them and First Nations people.For a period of almost 20 years, Gene and Marusia operated a farm in Meath Park and Gene was a part time farmer. Gene used to say that he had a relapse of farming disease.

Gene loved adventure and travelling. Before farming took over all of Gene and Marusia’s spare time they did some travelling to various locations including four months in the South Pacific. In recent years, Gene devoted a lot of his energy to the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church serving on various executive positions, heading up projects and serving as a cantor with Marusia. Gene had a charismatic personality and people of all walks of life and ages felt attracted to and comfortable with him. He had a unique sense of humour that delighted all. He often helped people in need.

We are appreciative of the good medical care Gene received that was supportive and compassionate. He did his best to comply with all the things that we believed would make him well again. Marusia put all her efforts into helping him and was his strongest advocate. We are thankful for all the support we received along the way. It was a difficult journey, and not one that one can make alone.

He was blessed to be loved by family, friends and neighbours. This love helped him on his final journey. Marusia is grateful that she and Fr. Michal were with him when he passed away. It is with great sadness, pain and disbelief that we must accept the end of Gene’s earthly journey.

                          VICHNAYA PAM’YAT MEMORY ETERNAL

Gene is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marusia, his sisters Audrey Adilman, Christine Lacoursiere, Connie Gryba (Gerry Stoll); his brother John Gryba; brothers-in-law Taras (Vi) Bayda and Bohdan (Eileen) Bayda; his sister-in-law Olga Bayda and several dear and loving nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his parents; Sam & Ethel (Borsa) Gryba, brother-in-law Roger Lacoursiere, nephew Danny Lacoursiere; parents-in-law Andriy & Kateryna (Bilyk) Bayda, brother-in-law Metro Bayda.

Donations in loving memory of Eugene may be made to: Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Canada Ukraine Foundation  www.cufoundation.ca, SPCA Box1832 Prince Albert, SK S6V 6J9 or a charity of the donor’s choice. Prayer Service will be held Sunday, October 16, 2016 at 7:00 pm at the Calvary United Church 114 – 25th Street East. Funeral Service will be held Monday, October 17, 2016 at 10:30 am at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church 684 – 3rd Avenue East. There will be an opportunity to share memories and tributes at both services. Both services will be conducted by The Very Rev Archpriest Michal Lomaszkiewicz.

Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Lorne Adams and  Marianne Turcotte, Funeral Directors, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322.

 

• Date : 2016-10-11