OREST WILLIAM PRESSEY

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OREST WILLIAM PRESSEY It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our much loved husband, father and gida, Orest Pressey, on January 14, 2011, at the Portage General Hospital, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, at the age of 80 years. Orest is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Adeline; son Richard and his children, Kelley and Vanessa and her daughter Jenna; daughter Susan; son Jonathan and his wife Ala and their daughter Emily; daughter Nancy; many relatives and friends. Orest was born January 10, 1931 in Pine River, Manitoba to Wasyl and Anna (Kunka) Prysiazniuk. He and his twin sister Elizabeth were the only twins born in the Vimy Ridge area. He received his schooling in the Pine River area, then moved to Winnipeg to attend his final year of high school at St. Andrews College. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from United College now the University of Winnipeg, and his Law Degree from the University of Manitoba, where he graduated with the second highest mark in the class of 1956. He met the love of his life, Adeline Sulatyski, in Winnipeg while still in law school, and they were married on July 30, 1954. After graduation, he began his legal career as counsel for Imperial Oil in Regina, Saskatchewan. The family then moved to Virden, Manitoba, where Orest was a partner in the firm of Doak, Buckingham, Pressey. In 1965, Orest became the District Registrar at the Land Titles Office in Portage la Prairie for 15 years. He took up private practice again in 1980 with Miller Miller Pressey and retired from the successor firm of Miller Pressey Selinger in 2000. He was consulting solicitor for the City of Portage la Prairie and four other municipalities and was recognized by the City in 2000 for 20 years of service. Orest's mission in his legal career was to deliver quality legal services at an affordable cost, and to write legal documents in plain language. Orest was elected to City Council in Portage in 1967 and served until 1970. During that time he was instrumental in the city's Canada Centennial celebrations and Manitoba Centennial celebrations. Orest was a member of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Portage where he enjoyed cooking for church events. He researched the history of St. Nicholas Church for its 100th Anniversary in 2004. Orest was a community supporter and tireless volunteer for many causes. He was a mentor to, and did pro bono legal work for, many immigrants to Portage. He was active in the Ukrainian Centennial Committee and Ukrainian Connection, the highlight of which was the moving of the Heritage Ukrainian Church to the Fort la Reine Museum from the village of Arbakka, MB in 2003. Also at the Museum, Orest built a peech which is an outdoor clay oven, and baked bread in it for the museum visitors on behalf of Ukrainian Connection. Orest loved to dance and was an avid golfer, curler and badminton player. He enjoyed travelling, carpentry and cooking. Orest's biggest leisure time satisfaction was the large garden that he lovingly tended on the family's piece of land called The Farm for over 30 years. He always grew enough vegetables for the family's use and to give away. One of the activities for which he was well known, was making a Thanksgiving display, made from the produce of his garden. Orest encouraged education in his children, supported them in their extracurricular activities and encouraged their endeavours. A celebration of Orest's life was held Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Omega Funeral Home, officiated by V. Rev. Archpriest Michael Skrumeda, assisted by Rev. Fr. Alexander Harkavyi. At Orest's request, cremation has taken place, and interment will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Orest's memory to the Adeline and Orest Pressey Family Fund, in care of Community Foundation of Portage and District Inc., P.O. Box 1153, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3J9; to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, Suite 200, 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6; to Ukrainian Connection, in care of G. Bulachowski, 620 9th Street N.W., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3H6 or to a charity of one's choice. VICHNAYA PAMYAT

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 22, 2011