JOHN M. PODOLSKY

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JOHN M. PODOLSKY January 9, 1909 - March 22, 2004 John suddenly in his 95th year passed away Monday night at the Victoria General Hospital, Winnipeg, Mb. His son Ivan Gregory Podolsky survives him. John was predeceased by his parents, Matwij Podolsky and Marina Shmyr, Beloved wife Helen Mysyk, brothers, Harry (1964), Dan (1965), Mike (1988) and sister Ann Machula (1993). Dad was born in Vita and raised on a farm north of town while attending Shevchenko school one half mile east of the farm, and later in town upon completion of the new school (Grades 1-8). In 1926 he enrolled in Wesley College (Winnipeg) completing grade 9. During the summer of 1927 he worked at Vita Crescent Creamery earning money to further his education at Provencher College (Grade 10). By achieving high scholastic standing, he obtained 1st year Arts Credit and attended Normal School for one year earning a 1st class teaching certificate where he taught in a one room school up to Grade 11 level. He taught in Franko (1 year permit and 1 year with certificate), Beckett (1 year) and higher grades in Vita. Upon leaving the teaching profession in the mid thirties he accepted a position with the P.F.A.A (Prairie Farm Assistance Act) starting as a field Inspector and subsequently an assistant supervisor dealing with drought stricken fields. During the early war years, he was a field supervisor with the Wheat Acreage Reduction Plan eventually resigning his position to volunteer for war service in the RCAF. He enrolled in a one year course in Montreal, training to be a No. 1 Wireless Electrical Mechanic maintaining air to ground equipment, training pilots for service. Subsequent postings were Gimli, Edmonton and Dawson Creek. Upon his discharge in 1945, he married Helen Mysyk in 1946 who was also a school teacher in Vita. Dad taught briefly prior to taking on the position of Resident Administrator of the Local Government of Stuartburn, which had been previously held by Helens father Jarvis M. Mysk who passed away in 1950. Dad held this position from 1950-1975 at which time he retired. He was active in the community serving as Auditor of the Vita Credit Union, member of the Hospital Board, and served on the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Committee. In his retirement Dad was an insurance agent. Through the years Dad liked to garden, pick wild berries and mushrooms. Being an over all Mr. Fix it, he was proud of his interior finishing skills in his new house after the 1955 tornado. The numerous trips he made into Winnipeg, driving well into his 88th year were all apart of his long retirement. Dad will definitely be missed. Funeral Service will be held on Monday, March 29 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Vita, with Rev. Deacon Leon Twerdun officiating. Interment will take place following the service in the Vita Community Cemetery.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 27, 2004