In Memoriam

Bishop Stephen Victor Chmilar, the 3rd Bishop Eparch of Toronto and Eastern Canada, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2024, in Stoney Creek, Ontario, following a lengthy illness. He was 79 years old. At the time of his passing, he was Bishop Emeritus, a role he held with grace and devotion until his final days.

Most Reverend Chmilar was born May 24, 1945, in Lamont, Alberta, Canada. He is the son of Steven Chmilar and Alexandra Osinchuk. As the fourth child of a sibling of six, young Victor grew up in the Ukrainian community of Mundare, Alberta where he entered the Basilian Order. During his novitiate, he chose the name Stephen.

His journey into the priesthood was marked by years of dedicated study first at the University of Ottawa (1966 – 1968), where he obtained his Baccalaureate in Philosophy. This was followed by a Baccalaureate in Theology at St. Paul University in Ottawa (1968-1972). As a member of the Order of Saint Basil the Great, he was ordained a priest by Most Rev. Neil Savaryn O.S.B.M. on June 11, 1972.

Three decades of pastoral work included: Pastor of Ukrainian Catholic parishes in Chipman and Borschiw of the Mundare Pastoral District (1972-73); Associate Pastor of St. Basil the Great, Edmonton, AB (1973-75); Pastor of St. John the Baptist, Ottawa, ON (1975-78); Associate Pastor of St. Basil the Great, Edmonton, AB (1978-82); Pastor of St. Mary’s, Vancouver, B.C.(1982-84); Pastor of Transfiguration of our Lord, Denver, CO (USA) (1984-88); Associate Pastor of St. Nicholas, Buffalo, N.Y. (USA) (1988-90); Pastor of St. Nicholas, Hamilton, ON (1990-2000); and Pastor of Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mississauga, ON (2000-2003).

In 1991, Fr. Stephen was incardinated in the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada. He assisted in the Marriage Tribunal in both Ottawa and Edmonton. He served for five years as the Spiritual Director at the Novitiate of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate in Mundare, and also worked as a missionary/ retreat master across Canada. He directed summer camps in Ottawa, Edmonton and British Columbia.

At the time of his nomination Bishop-elect, Stephen was Chancellor, member of the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors of the Eparchy of Toronto. On May 3, 2003, His Holiness Pope John Paul II named Reverend Stephen as the new Bishop for the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada. He was ordained a bishop by His Beatitude Lubomyr Cardinal Husar in Mississauga on July 23, 2003.

With an unwavering Motto: “Feed my sheep,” Bishop Chmilar tirelessly focused on ensuring his flock had the needed support to do their pastoral work. His dedication of faith, leadership and tireless service to the Ukrainian Catholic community also contributed to the ordination of eleven priests and fifteen deacons. Even while attending to his own complex medical and rehabilitative needs, he carried his Ministerial work into various hospital settings as a patient.

Bishop Stephen is survived by his sisters, Luba Romach and Stephanie Courchesne, along with his nieces and nephew Edwardine, Steven and Tammy. He is predeceased by his parents and siblings: Adeline and Dmytro.

The Right Reverend Mitrophoric Archpriest - Passed away on Monday, November 18, 2024, at the Welland Hospital Site at the age of 80. He was born in Kökényesd, Szatmár Megye, Romania on October 3, 1944. He came to Canada July 4, 1962. He is survived by his loving wife, Etelka Deak (nee Balogh). Loving father of Anna Deak (Paul Young) and Joseph Deak (Mary). Cherished grandfather of Brooklyn, Lucas and Lincoln. Dear cousin of Maria Szemak and her daughter Edith Pendli. Father Deak worked at General Motors for 28 and a half years, and ordained to the Priesthood on July 31, 1991 in Lviv, Ukraine. He was elevated to Mitrophoric Archpriest, June 2008.

Fr. Nick will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his faith and the entire community. His kindness, compassion and sense of humour left a lasting mark on the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to meet him. His absence will be felt deeply.

Father Roman fell asleep in the Lord early in the morning of August 1, 2023. We sang to him for much of the day on Monday, we napped at his side, and he listened to the livestream of Vespers. His passing was very peaceful, and he was surrounded by family. Father’s burial took place on Monday, August 7th.

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Right Reverend Father Eugene Halitsky on July 29, 2023, at age 82, after a long battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was a devoted husband to Anna for 53 years and a loving father to Mehron, Natalka, Roman, and Oksana, and grandfather to Benjamin, Timothy, Eliana, Henry, Esme, Jacob, and the late Isaac. Born January 9, 1941, in Irati, Brazil, Eugene was one of 12 children and is survived by many of his siblings, nieces, and nephews. Eugene's lifelong dedication to the church took him from Brazil to Rome, and finally to Canada, where he served in multiple parishes and touched many lives. Known for his spiritually inspiring homilies and devotion to his parishioners, he also enjoyed gardening, cooking, and spending time with his family. Rev. Fr. Eugene Halitsky was interred at Windsor Memorial Gardens on August 3, 2023.

Rev. Fr. Zenon Hentosz, surrounded by family and friends, peacefully passed away on April 26, 2023, at the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus ICU. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Maria Christina (née Hornykewycz), and three children, Matej, Juliana, and Johanna, as well as his siblings Roman, Miroslawa, Irena, and Iwan.
Father Zenon touched many lives during his over 20 years as a school chaplain. His wisdom, gentleness, strength, sparkling blue eyes, comforting smile, and sense of humour will be greatly missed.

Fr. Lev Chayka passed away on March 4th, 2022, and is fondly remembered by family, friends, and his religious community. He emigrated to Canada in 1948 and became a Ukrainian Catholic priest in 1952, dedicating his life to serving Ukrainian immigrants in northern Quebec and Ontario. He was instrumental in building several Ukrainian Catholic churches and used media to connect with remote communities. Monsignor Lev was known for his dedication, traveling long distances and physically helping in church constructions. He engaged youth in Ukrainian culture and published multiple books on the history of the Northern Ukrainian Church. His numerous honorary titles reflect his significant contributions to preserving Ukrainian culture in Canada.

In your kindness please remember the repose of Fr Ivan Trush who died On January 13, 2021 at the age of 66. Fr. Trush was ordained in Poland in 1981 where he worked as a priest before coming to the Eparchy of Toronto in 1984. In our Eparchy he served in Toronto (Holy...

Everlasting memory

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rev. Volodymyr Chvets on August 15, 2020, at the age of 69. Born on April 5, 1951, in Ternopil, Ukraine, he felt his calling to the service of God from a young age and was ordained as a priest in 1977. After serving in Ukraine until 1991, he immigrated to Canada and led the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Transfiguration in Thunder Bay for nearly 30 years. He was a strong-willed man, devoted to his church and community, whose eulogies provided strength and hope. He leaves behind his loving wife Sofia, sons Bill (Sarah) and Greg (Natalia), granddaughter Marta, and siblings Taras in the USA and Olya in Ukraine. His funeral services took place on August 19, followed by interment at the Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery on Arthur St. in Thunder Bay
Everlasting memory