Obituary
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Michael (Mike) Balak, from St. Paul’s Home on October 30, 2021.
He leaves to mourn and cherish his memory, his wife Lillian (Lil) of 71 years, son Greg (Ann), daughter Bernadette (John), grandchildren Rachel, Michael and Joshua and sister-in-law Margaret Balak.
Mike was predeceased by his parents Peter and Mary Balak (Robak), brother Walter Balak, sisters Florence Boguski (Anthony), Mary Boguski (Walter), Ann Boguski (Philip), Olga Safronetz (Frank), Teenie Todoruk (Nick), and a brother in infancy, Orest Balak.
Mike was born on February 8, 1926 in the Zoria District of the Rural Municipality of Gilbert Plains. He received his education at the Drifting River and Zoria Schools. He loved playing baseball with his schoolmates. Although that often got him in trouble with the boys as he would often hit the ball so hard it would get lost in the bushes. With the passing of his father at a young age, he ended up leaving school to work the family farm.
As the story goes, Dad first saw Mom at a praznyk in Venlaw walking in the church procession. Years later, they met again at a dance and that started the lifelong love story of Mike and Lil. They were united in marriage on June 3, 1950 at St Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ethelbert. They were the second couple to be married in that church. Earlier this month while reminiscing over family photos, Dad remarked on Mom’s beauty and how well he had chosen his life partner.
Together they made a life in Zoria, always working side by side in a mixed farming operation. Although Dad had no further formal education, there were numerous “Masterclasses” in agriculture and gardening, having read every known pamphlet and document related to these topics. Dad was a wonderful provider and in addition to farming, sought work at a saw mill, threshing gang, electrician’s assistant, as well as a school bus driver. He was a master of keeping the equipment going and meticulously maintained his garage. Dad was always tinkering and fixing things. Every visit out to Dauphin, involved a vehicle inspection by Dad.
He loved the outdoors and picking mushrooms and seasonal berries.
In 1960 Mom and Dad welcomed Greg followed by Bernadette in 1966. Dad was very proud of the fact the children went on to higher education and if memory serves, higher education was not actually optional. He took pride in the accomplishments of the children and grandchildren.
Dad’s heart was filled with kindness and generosity. Both Mom and Dad loved to entertain family and friends and Dad always had a “special blend” homemade drink to offer his guests. He loved to dance at various weddings, anniversaries, new year’s parties, etc. In his younger days, Dad loved to go carolling with family and friends and all the good fun that came with those adventures. He always loved being around people and having a good chat or playing cards. Many times he schooled us in a game of “West” or “Hola”. Dad loved working at the Ukrainian Festival Donation Bowl. It was the perfect opportunity to catch up with old friends and welcome guests.
Faith played a huge role in both Mom and Dad’s life. Together, they were faithful parishioners at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church in Zoria, MB where dad was the church secretary and sang in the choir. Every Sunday was spent going to a different local parish for Mass including: Ethelbert, Sifton, Venlaw, Mink Creek and Valley River. (You could always tell when Mass was about to start, not by the choir singing the Entrance hymn, but by Dad’s signature throat clearing). When they retired to Dauphin, they joined the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Resurrection, where Dad became a member of the brotherhood. Praying the rosary was a special part of his daily routine. They had a written list of intentions that they faithfully included as part of their daily prayers.
There was a special trip to visit Lourdes and numerous other stops in Europe. Every Spring and Fall they would come to visit Greg and Ann and Bernadette and John. The visit always included at least one cooler of food. They also did some travel to the USA like Black Hills and Canadian destinations like Unity, Toronto, Banff, Jasper, and Edmonton.
Dad was tenacious. Plagued with numerous health issues in his retirement years; he was determined to overcome them all and fiercely held on to his independent spirit and maintained his jokester personality.
On behalf of Dad, we would like to thank the home care staff while he lived at home, the staff at Saint Paul’s Home, Dr. Mathison and the staff at the Dauphin Regional Hospital and his caregiver, Stephanie Hadoway.
We would also like to thank the staff at Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Home, Father Oleg for the service, Jason Gulenchin for cantering, the Pallbearers and the Brotherhood.
Dad’s departure has left an emptiness that will be difficult to fill. We thank him for having been a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. We thank him for the lesson that can best be summed up in the following verse “ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith’. 2 Timothy 4:7
Eternal Memory-Vichnaya Pam’yat!
Private Funeral Services will be held for Michael on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 from the Sneath-Strilchuk Family Care Centre in Dauphin with Very Rev Father Oleg Bodnarski officiating.
The service will be livestreamed, click on the link below at service time.
Interment will follow in the Riverside Cemetery – Dauphin.
Should friends so desire, donations in memory of Michael may be made to Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Resurrection or to the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Balak, please visit our floral store.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Michael Balak February 8 1926 October 30 2021 (age 95)..
sneath strilchuk funeral services
Décès pour la Ville: Dauphin, Province: Manitoba