With heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of our father and grandfather, at the age of 87 in Toronto, at Kipling Acres Long-Term Care Home.

Preceded in death by his parents Wasyl Petruch and Maria (Lesyk), as well as brothers Michael (Audrey) and Eugene.

Father to Bill (Lesia) and Janet (Adam). Dido to Alexandra, Mitchell, Isobel and Samuel. Uncle to Michael and Margaret.

Born in the town of Kosheliv, Ukraine. He and his family immigrated to Canada in April of 1937 on the Polish line SS Batory and they settled in Woodland, Manitoba for a better life.

Following a move to Toronto, Dad attended Central Technical School and then five years with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The longest stretch of his career, and what was the fodder of many stories, was his work at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) until he retired in 1992.

There he enjoyed working on programs both in Toronto as well as throughout North America and Mexico with many Canadian legends including Tommy Hunter, Barbara Frum and Veronica Tennant as well as getting backstage passes to meet some of our idols like The Friendly Giant and Mr. Dressup.

Retirement was spent in the Niagara area, continuing his love to “tinker” with cars, household appliances and anything else that he set his eyes on.

After joining a regional flying club, he got the chance to work on the project of a lifetime in helping to build a flying replica of the historic Silver Dart for the 2009 Centennial commemoration. It was a very proud moment for Dad to also be in Baddeck, Nova Scotia to witness its flight along with national media and many excited bystanders.

Other favourite pastimes included: relaxing drives in the Niagara area either on his motorcycle or in the car; taking trips into Toronto to connect with his family as well as many CBC friends; meals over great conversation; listening and singing to many genres of music especially Spanish artists, ABBA and Neil Diamond; as well as sitting outside and listening to nature.

We are very grateful to the staff in the emergency department and division of cardiology on 7E at Etobicoke General Hospital.

To the team on the Alders wing at Kipling Acres, we are especially thankful to you for the exceptional and loving care that you gave our dad, every day, over the years. The hugs, laughs, singing to music, and attentive health care helped sustain him and brought him a lot of joy. He loved you all.

Visitors are welcome to pay their respects at Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel (2357 Bloor Street West at Windemere) on Tuesday, May 16 from 5:00 to 8:00pm. Panachyda will commence at 7:00pm.

For those who care to make a donation in his name, please offer your support to the charities he funded including: The Salvation Army, CNIB and Scott Mission.