On July 25, 2021 Hryhorij (George) Szeptycky passed away with his daughters Olya and Natalka and their spouses, Basil and William, by his side.

He is loved and will be missed by many, especially his wife of 75 years, Maria; his daughters Olya (Basil) and Natalka (William); his grandsons Andrew (Emma), Peter (Kate), Mark (Caitlin) and Matthew; his great grandkids Bree, Izzy, Max, Chloe, Alexander, Poppy and Kai; his niece Nadiya (Stepan) and extended family in Ontario and Ukraine.

Above all Hryhorij loved his family. He was devoted to his wife Maria and his daughters. There existed a lovely bond of mutual affection and respect between Hryhorij and his sons in law. He loved his grandsons unconditionally. When his great grandchildren came along he was besotted. As infants, he could hold them for hours and as they grew he delighted in their antics, adventures and achievements. In his warm embrace every member of the family felt safe and knew the true meaning of being loved.

His big smile and even bigger heart earned him many friends over the years. He was always active in his communities – giving of his time, counsel and even rolling up his sleeves if hammering or painting were required. He liked people and was first to share in someone’s joy or sorrow. He was generous, kind, compassionate and always willing to lend a helping hand.

He loved Ukraine where he was born and tried to maintain many of her traditions and pass them on to his children. He also loved Canada and knew how fortunate he was to live here for most of his life.

Hryhorij was a handsome and debonair man until the day he died. He was a charmer, a gardener, a wonderful dancer and even a bit of a card shark when given the opportunity. He was also a tinkerer. He could fix anything, sometimes in the most creative and innovative way. He loved participating in all sorts of activities throughout his life and seldom sat idle.

His life was not always easy but he endured and always overcame adversity with hope, optimism, patience and grit. He made the best of every situation and in that spirit was able to provide his daughters with opportunities he never had. He navigated life with an amazing ability to adapt and connect with people.

John Steinbeck wrote: “It is so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if it never shone.”

Presently the world seems darker with Hryhorij’s passing but he taught us the importance of not only giving love but also learning to accept it. This legacy of his love and resilience will sustain us forever and his memory will be our beacon for a brighter tomorrow.

The family wishes to thank the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre for the compassion and care Hryhorij received there. We thank Dr. David Bitonti and all the staff at the home, especially the second floor nurses and PSWs, for the tender care they gave him in his last weeks of life.

A private visitation will be held. Funeral Rite will be held at Turner & Porter Neweduk chapel (1981 Dundas Street West, Mississauga) on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Interment at St. Volodymyr Cemetery. For those who wish, donations may be made to the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre.



REMEMBERING DIDO

Displaced by the war and living in Germany, George and his wife Maria made the decision to immigrate in search of a better life. While in a line of families hoping to travel to Australia, they were approached by an immigration officer who suggested they give Canada a try instead. The very next day, George boarded a ship and began his fateful trip towards a new life in Canada . He found employment, housing, and a Ukrainian community to settle in, before sending for his wife and daughter Olia. Little did he know, his journey not only opened up a whole new world for the three of them but also for his daughter Natalka who was born a short time later in Montreal.


Later in life, George and Maria moved from Montreal to Waterloo to be closer to their daughters and their growing families. It’s during this time, George became a Dido. He was a devoted family man who always put the needs of those nearest and dearest to his heart first. You could always spot the pride in his eyes and the genuineness of his smile when family was around, especially when it came to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.


A man of deep faith, Dido was a devoted member of the Ukrainiain Catholic Church of the Transfiguration in Kitchener for over 40 years. Sunday services, weekly bingo in the church hall, malanka celebrations, and Ukriainian school performances were all things that brought him great joy within a community he felt a deep connection to.


Dido was a practical man, applying his many talents and skills while constantly tinkering on projects around the house. One of his most prized projects was his backyard garden, where every summer, he grew a bountiful supply of fresh fruit and vegetables which he loved to share by the basketful with family, friends, and neighbours. It’s safe to say, his pickles were the best in town for decades!


One of his greatest accomplishments is the lasting legacy of the multi generational family he leaves behind. His sacrifice, determination, courage, and grit are the reasons his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren all live a life full of good fortune, opportunity, and joy. For this, we are eternally grateful.