It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of William (Bill) Skoropad at the age of 91, on Tuesday March 30, 2010, in Versa Care.
Bill was born on January 27, 1919 to Ivan Skoropad and Anna Galas, in the village of Strilkiwci, in the province of Ternopil, Ukraine. While working in Germany as a POW, he met and married Anna Kucher in 1944. In 1948 he emigrated to Canada where he worked with Hydro at Pine Portage. The following year, with his wife and daughter Mary, he moved to Port Arthur where he worked for many years for Canadian National Railway and then Lakehead University until his retirement in 1984.
Although he was always grateful for the opportunity to live in his adopted country Canada, he never forgot his roots. Bill worked tirelessly to promote the Ukrainian cause and culture through his executive positions with The League of Ukraine's Liberation, the Ukrainian Youth Association, the Congress of Ukrainian Canadians, the Prosvita Society, and the Ukrainian Credit Union. He was also a builder and a life-long member of the Church of the Holy Protection.
Aside from his involvement with the Ukrainian community, he enjoyed stamp and coin collecting, watching soccer, and walking his dog Lada. He particularily enjoyed his visits to Karpaty and McDonald's with his grandchildren. He took pride in his home, his garden and his family.
Bill is survived by Anna (Kucher), his wife of 66 years; daughters Mary (Tom) Coulterman of Sault Ste Marie, Orysia (Ron) Woroniuk; grandchildren, Tara (Mike) George, Melissa (Boyan), Ron Jr. (Andrea), Charlene (Chris) DeCorte, and Charlie. He is also survived by his much loved great-grandchildren Mykaila and Carter George and Olivia Woroniuk-Liposek and 2 nephews and 4 nieces in the Ukraine.
Bill was predeceased by his parents Ivan and Anna; sister Mary; and infant son Wolodymyr.
Funeral services for the late Bill Skoropad will be held on Saturday April 3, 2010 with family and friends assembling in the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Holy Cross, Victoria Avenue, for Divine Liturgy at 9:30 am celebrated by the Reverend Andrija Petresin. Interment will follow in St. Andrew's Cemetery. Visitation for friends will be Friday evening after 6:00 pm in the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma, with Panachyda (prayers) offered at 7:30 pm. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Children of Chernobyl Canada.
Vichnaya Pamyat
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