Obituary of Taras Berezny

The family of Taras Berezny of Ituna, beloved husband of the Late Iris Berezny sadly announce his passing onTuesday, July 5, 2022. Taras was 86 years of age. Prayers will be held on Monday, July 11, at 7:00p.m. from Sacred Heart Ukranian Catholic Church. The Funeral Liturgy will take place on Tuesday, July 12 at 10:00a.m. from Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church. The interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery. Memorials in memory of Taras may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association (200-235 Yorkland Blvd., Toronto, ON M2J 4Y8). Taras Berezny was born on September 30, 1935 on the family farm at Parkerview. He was the third child of four, born to Peter and Olena (Leciw) Berezny with older brothers Harry, Bill, and younger sister Mary. Taras attended White Creek and Caldervale Schools up to Grade 8. Instead of continuing his education in Foam Lake he chose to stay on the farm. There was nothing else he wanted to do and set his heart on farming. Eventually he took over the family farm after Peter and Olena retired to Parkerview in 1963. Taras met his partner for life, Iris Protzak, who lived only 6 miles down the road. During Parkerview picnics and various functions they spent time together and on October 8, 1960 were married at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton. They were blessed to raise three children, Harold, Terry, and Loriann, have six grandchildren and in 2021 welcomed a great grandson. Taras and Iris, working side by side, operated a mixed cattle/grain farm. Taras was a man of great faith and even up to the end, not being able to physically attend church, sat by the radio listening to church services. This Easter he was able to “attend” the Ituna Sacred Heart Easter liturgy on an iPad right from the comfort of his own kitchen table. He and Iris were faithful members of St. Nicholas at Parkerview as well as Ituna Sacred Heart Parish. He served on the Ituna Parish Council for a number of years. Taras could often be seen helping out in the kitchen while Iris was one of the main cooks for functions and together worked at the weekly bingos that were held in our hall. Tuesday, bingo night, we always knew that the two of them had freshly baked buns, perogies made together and cookies ready to be delivered to our homes. Taras loved his family, his farm, and his animals. He was happiest in his familiar environment, the farm. He enjoyed the simple things in life. He liked getting on the quad regularly to check the cows. Taras kept a close watch watering his garden, the apple trees, and always liked to share his abundance. He enjoyed the evening drives looking for wildlife and sharing stories whenever we would pass an old yardsite. Their home was always open to visitors whether it be the neighbors, relatives, friends, hunters, or even the truck driver bringing fuel to the yard. No one ever left without coffee and dainties or a meal being served. His neighbors would regularly stop by for a coffee and a chat. We believe this was more to check on him because they genuinely cared for his wellbeing. We are forever grateful to them for their regular visits. For 52 years Taras managed living with his diabetes. Doctors and other caregivers were often amazed at how well he functioned in spite of it. He took looking after his diabetes very seriously. After Iris passed on July 31, 2014, we wondered how he would manage on his own as she kept such good care of him. We were blown away at how well he did. He lived independently, tending to the house, outdoor chores, preparing delicious full course meals, and proudly shared cakes with us he had baked himself. Taking care of himself definitely paid off as we always laughed he had 9+ lives. At the age of 86, after a very brief illness, he passed away peacefully at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre on July 5, 2022. We will miss him and try to fill the void he has left in our lives. We take heart though in knowing now he can enjoy all his days with Iris once again. Taras leaves to mourn his passing and celebrate his life, son Harold (Sheri), Luke, Kathryn (Kyle) Rahier; son Terry (Laura), Matthew (Katelyn), Michael (Samantha) and great grandson Theodore; daughter Loriann (Darold), Clayton and Brennan; brother Bill, sister Mary (Dave) Zulyniak, brothers-in-law Leslie Thies, Orest (Veronica) Protzak, and sister-in-law Sally (Stan) Rashbrook. He was predeceased by his wife Iris, parents Peter and Olena, brother Harry and wife Iris, sister-in-law Genevieve Berezny, in-laws William and Mary Protzak, sister-in-laws Olga Thies, Ann Bobyk and husband Bill.