Obituary of Michael Babij
Michael passed peacefully at the St. Catharines General Hospital, on Saturday January 12th in his 87th year. He will be sadly missed by Daughters Annie (Patrick), and Michele (Joe). Michael has rejoined his loving wife Orysia (1983) after being apart for 36 years. Dad’s journey took him from Western Ukraine to Ethelbert Manitoba, ending in St Catharines Ontario, where he worked with General Motors for nearly 30 years. Michael was a devoted and loving husband, Father, Brother to Sam (Jean), Brother In Law to Phyllis (Merv), Sylvia (Larry) and Roseann (Al). Uncle to Donnie (Bev) and Michael (Lisa) and Sarah (Robin).
Michael’s family will receive guests on Wednesday January 16th from 2-4 & 6-8pm (Panachyda 7pm) at the George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Carlton St, St Catharines. A Divine Liturgy will be held at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church 14 Rolls Ave. St Catharines (Niagara St. & QEW) on Thursday January 17th at 10am with burial to follow. If so desired donations to The Sts. Cyril & Methodius Building Fund would be appreciated by the family.
On Friday January 11th, I watched my father sleeping and his face was illuminated and he was smiling. His light was peaceful and comforting. Saturday, January 12th, dad peacefully left this world and began his next journey. Hindsight is 20/20, I now know his peaceful glowing smile was dad on his path forward, following the light to my mothers loving arms. At 2:25 am, Saturday January 12th, dad and mom were finally reunited after over 35 years apart. They were finally holding each other again.
We often believe that our hero’s need to fly through the sky on Hollywood screens. Mine was living with me, my hero was my dad.
Michael was born November 18th, 1932 in KYT, Ternopilski Oblast, Western Ukraine. The youngest of two sons to Damián and Anna, little brother to Sam. In 1938, the family left their home in Ukraine to build a new life in Canada. These little boys sailed away from a politically changing Europe, past nazi flags and soldiers. They sailed across the Atlantic, where their mothers life was nearly lost, to find themselves entering Canada in Montreal where they knew no one, and spoke no English.
They did know relations in Ethelbert, Manitoba. And they found themselves settling in the Canadian prairies.
If anyone knows the prairies , you know the heat, the dust, the winters, the floods and the bugs. If an immigrant family did not see enough challenges from their voyage, they now found more to face.
We’ve been told that dad was a sweet, kind and quiet little boy who grew up into a moral, hard working young man. Then he met the love of his life, his soulmate, Orysia (Iris). We’ve heard stories from our aunt’s about this handsome young man who came to pick up Iris.
Now married and building a home and family, mom and dad spent a few years between living in Ethelbert, Dauphin and Winnipeg and the Niagara region, but by 1964 they settled in St. Catharines on Tasker St. Mom and dad immediately settled into their community becoming parishioners of Sts. Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church. Mom was in the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League and dad in the men’s league. Like many young families, the church was their world for religious and social activities. Mom and dad contributed to the interior adornment of Sts Cyril’s, purchasing iconography and altar pieces as their donation to the parish.
Dad found his place of employment for nearly 30 years with General Motors, Plant II. He was a dedicated and loyal employee loving his role in the engine plant as a tow motor driver. Our secret Mario Andretti was part of GM competitive teams, even winning awards.
As the years progressed, dad was a content and happy family man, his wife and daughters were always first, and everything he did was for his family and home. Sadly, dad lost mom to a quick illness in 1983. Dad was devastated. They did not fulfill the dreams they had.... Hawaii, Disney, traveling. But my hero.... found the strength from his soulmate and survived. As a single father, he picked up the pieces. He wasn’t going anywhere and he had to fulfill the goals he and mom set. Priority.... He made sure both daughters were set on a path forward to live their lives successfully, morally and spiritually.
In 1993 dad retired from General Motors, he was only 61. Dad always said it was time for a younger person to have his job so someone else could have the opportunity to earn a secure living and raise their family. Now he had the time and opportunity to pursue his new passion, GOLF. Dad took lessons, he bought the clubs, bought the clothes and he joined leagues. He LOVED golf. He wasn’t the best.... but he did score a ‘HOLE IN 1!’.
These were the years when he finally travelled to the places he and mom dreamed to go to.... Disney, Hawaii, England. Mom wasn’t present, but I know she was with him. Dad was even in a Disney Magic Kingdom Parade, dancing with one of the princesses.
The final years were a struggle, Parkinson’s and dementia began their hold on his body and he fought as long as he could. He tried to smile as often as he could, but disease doesn’t always make it easy. But to the end, he was known as the sweetest and gentlest man.
Daddy, I know you started walking the path of light last Friday, I saw it in your face and you were smiling. I know you were walking towards mom and reaching for her hand and you finally finished on your earthly path and crossed over to your divine path of light when you took moms hand early Saturday morning.
My wise godmother recently told me.... when we’re born, we enter this world crying and all who are around us are smiling and happy...... when we leave this world, everyone around us are crying and we’re the smiling and happy. Daddy, I’m happy for you and so thrilled for you to be with mommy again, your true love and soulmate.
May god keep you safe and smiling. Thank you for the time you gave all of us here in this world and for the ways you touched so many. Until we see each other again............. I love you.