JOHN VICTOR MALYNA

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JOHN VICTOR MALYNA

May 23, 1924 – November 8, 2025

Peacefully, on his own terms and in his own time, John Malyna, at age 101, stepped down from his role as family patriarch and departed on Saturday, November 8, 2025 to join his late wife Tinnie and daughter Betty in heavenly repose.

John was born in East Selkirk, MB, on May 23, 1924, the eldest child of Nicholas and Irene Malyna (nee Powliwkan). As he grew up, he was joined by one brother, Michael, and two sisters, Anne and Mary, all of whom predeceased him.

John’s earliest accomplishment of note was joining the Canadian Army Reserve in 1941 where he served until his 18th birthday in 1942, after which he enlisted in the regular Army. He served during World War II and was honourably discharged upon demobilization in 1946. He was proud of his service to Canada, and awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Selkirk Branch No. 42 at the time of his passing.

He met Tinnie Kulbaba (from Sand Hill, MB) and were married in Winnipeg on July 31, 1948, soon moving to Sudbury, Ontario to pursue life in the Nickel Capital of the World. While there, they established their family having three children, daughters Cheryl Linda and Betty Lynn and son John Robert.

With a young family, John took on the role of breadwinner while Tinnie was the ultimate homemaker and for them nothing took priority over the growing family. After returning to Winnipeg in 1961, John took on a career at Manitoba Bridge and worked there until its closing. He then became a railroader, with stints at CNR, and then VIA Rail. After retirement, John and Tinnie took a few railroad trips across Canada and also several monthly vacations in Hawaii for years.

In Winnipeg, John and Tinnie joined the congregation of the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. While there, John devoted several years as a serving Elder and later joined the seniors in the pyrohy making work group. In younger years, he joined multiple work parties for the construction of the church’s Veselka Summer Camp, on Lake Winnipeg, north of Gimli, Manitoba.

As a retiree, his grandsons Craig and Ken became the focus of his joy and he was proud to watch them grow into the fine men that they have become. That joy extended to his great-grandsons Max and Lex, both of whom took on their roles at the centre of the family universe at a young age.

Whenever asked, John would tell people that his secrets to longevity were a good attitude and a good doctor. The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Andrea Babick and Dr. Terry Babick who was Dad’s primary doctor for many decades.

After his wife Tinnie passed away in 2012, John lived independently in the family home until an in-home injury in 2022 sent him first to hospital and then to Fred Douglas Lodge where he lived until his passing. He spoke very highly of the care and service that he received there and the family would like to express their thanks to all the staff of the Evergreen community for their thoughtful and loving care and concern.

During his life, he felt strongly that his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren recognize and respect the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies. One of his last acts in life was to make his personal arrangements to attend the November 11th ceremony at the Fred Douglas Lodge.

Considering his longevity, most of his family, friends and contemporaries have pre-deceased him. With his wife Tinnie, daughter Betty and her husband Gareth, and Cheryl’s husband John Ouendag, all pre-deceased John Malyna.

John is survived by his immediate family, son John Robert and his daughter Cheyrl Ouendag (Cecil) and his grandson’s Kenneth Ouendag (Beau) and Craig Ouendag (Erin); his great-grandsons Max and Lex Ouendag. He is also survived by one sister-in-law and several nephews and nieces and their families.

Service with Rev. Eugene Maximiuk and Legion Chaplain Rev Dr. S.C. Sharman will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Public viewing will start one hour before the service. Interment will be at Glen Eden Cemetery.

Vichnaya Pam’yat/Eternal Memory

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 15, 2025