Obituary of Ostap Leo Piasta

A memorial folder from the funeral service may be printed under the "Memories" tab, then choose "Memorial Program". PIASTA - Shortly after noon on Monday 29 September 2014, Ostap Leo Piasta's earthly journey came to an end at St. Peter's Hospital Melville, SK with his beloved and devoted wife Olga, at his side. Ostap was predeceased by his parents John and Maria (Gawat) Piasta, his in-laws Nicholas and Annie (Mostowy) Chorney, sister Doris (Nick/Frank) Kowal/Marshall, and brother Vasyl (in infancy). Ostap was born a British subject on NW 1/4, Sec 30, Twp 26, Rge 10, W2nd in Church Hill District and baptized at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Church Hill, SK, then known as Bedfordville. He attended Church Hill School until 1948, completing Grade 9 and that fall enrolled in St. Joseph's College, Yorkton, SK for three years completing Grade 12. Following Grade 12, he entered the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon for three years in the Faculty of Arts and Science. During this time at the U of S, he entered the Canadian Officers Training Corps at Camp Borden, Ontario. While attending university, he stayed at Bursa (Ukrainian Catholic Students' Residence - established by Fr. Kryworuchko) in Sheptytsky Institute, Saskatoon. During his early years at home he participated in many amateur groups singing and acting, mostly in Ukrainian including roles such as Taras Shevchenko. He learned to read and write in both English and Ukrainian by age 7 and by age 10 was reading responses to the Liturgy while an altar boy. Some notable moments in his youth included seeing King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939, contemplating entry into the priesthood under the guidance Father Hawryluk and winning a medal for oratory while at St. Joe's College. In 1954 he married Olga Rose Chorney at Sacred Heart Church - Ituna, SK and moved to Regina in 1955. Among his first jobs in Regina were selling insurance, selling sewing machines and working in the Advertising Department at the Regina Leader-Post. He had a deep knowledge and love of the Ukrainian culture. This stemmed from his home life, of course, and his formative years. He was never shy to pass on this knowledge and information, taking great care to ensure what was passed on was accurate and correct which very often would right inaccuracies that had come into common knowledge. Ostap had a very great respect of rituals and customs found in Ukrainian culture and was not hesitant to delve into the deeper corners learning, discussing and bringing forth even those pre-Christian traditions. His knowledge of these customs and of the different musical styles inherent to the multiple regions of Ukraine helped to increase the strength and depth of the Ukrainian culture in Saskatchewan to a very large degree, especially during the dark days of the Soviet Union when resources regarding this were not easily accessible. In 1956 he wrote the Public Service Commission exams and entered the Saskatchewan Public Service. He joined the Department of Health as a Statistical Clerk I. Less than a year later he moved to the Department of Labour and in 1964, the Dept. of Labour sent him to the Labour College of Canada whence he graduated with Great Distinction, highest in both his class groups. In 1966, Ostap moved to the Medical Care Insurance Commission (MCIC) as a Research Officer I. During his time with MCIC, his work included contributions to establishing Optometric Insurance, the Chiropractic Program, the Drug Plan, designing the Medicare statistical system and the Drug Plan statistical system. Other contributions were innovations leading to designing new computerized systems for medical billing and to lower costs for the Drug Plan and instituting the Dental Plan. While working with the Government of Saskatchewan, he was encouraged to complete his university degree and in 1973 enrolled in the University of Regina, participating in seminars with Doctoral candidates, graduating with an Arts Degree with a Major in Health Economics. On 27 April 1987, he took early retirement from the Saskatchewan Civil Service after 30 years and 6 months of service. In the early 1960s, Ostap became a member of St. John Ambulance, learning about and delivering First Aid to the public at a variety of events such as Buffalo Days, Regina Pats hockey games, Saskatchewan Roughriders football games among others as well as working with the provincial Emergency Measures Organization in an emergency response role. Staying with St. John Ambulance for 18 years, Ostap took many roles including leading the Cadet Training Program. He also participated in many national competitions held by the Priory of Canada for Best [First Aid] Team and Best Captain winning both a number of times. During his time with the Brigade, one particular honour was meeting HRH Princess Margaret, Dame Grand Cross of St. John of Jerusalem at Expo 67. During his tenure he was promoted through the ranks until reaching the final level of promotion. Among the honours awarded by the Priory of Canada were: the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, membership in the list of the honourary life members of the Priory of Canada, Instructor of First Aid for Valuable Assistance, Warrant of Appointment of Area Cadet Officer, and Officer of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. At the time of his resignation from the Brigade, Ostap had accumulated in excess of 1800 hours of volunteer service. In the early 1970s, Ostap and family became involved in the Ukrainian-Canadian community in Regina by way of joining the Ukrainian National Federation - Regina Branch. During his time with the UNF he occupied many positions including President for two terms. He also was a delegate on the national level to such organizations as the Ukrainian Canadian Committee, or KYK. One of his enduring legacies became the establishment, maintenance and growth of Ukrainian dance schools throughout east central Saskatchewan. Beginning with the first schools in Ituna and Canora in 1975, on Friday evenings Ostap and Olga would drive from Regina to a variety of communities to provide Ukrainian dance instruction along with consultation on music, costuming and customs, often introducing new regional dance forms such as Bukovinian. They would accompany instructors from Regina (initially drawn from the elder dancers from the UNF, including their own children) and then either return to Regina that evening and begin again on Saturday morning or continue on from Friday evening. This continued for over 30 years all at Ostap's own expense. This activity was not limited to Saskatchewan as during the 1980s opportunity arose to become involved with the Ukrainian community in the vicinity of Belfield & Dickinson, North Dakota, USA. The list of communities with schools to which Ostap travelled includes: Ituna, Canora, Yorkton, Kamsack, Theodore, Sheho, Foam Lake, Wynyard, Goodeve, Estevan, Esterhazy, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Regina, Wakaw, Aberdeen, Wishart, Norquay, Preeceville, Melfort, North Battleford, Whitkow and many others. One of the "services" he became famous for was recording music for the instructors at these various schools. This music was not only for rehearsals but also for competitions, concerts, touring and performances and usually involved splicing and editing pieces to meet requirements, a very time-consuming process. All told, Ostap himself produced thousands of hours of recorded music for no personal compensation. As a result of becoming a member of the UNF, Ostap also came into contact with the multicultural community of Regina and later of Saskatchewan. He was a member of the Board of the Regina Multicultural Council (RMC), holding various positions as well as becoming a member and part of the Board of the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCOS). As a member and officer of these organizations, Ostap had a hand in many initiatives such as founding RMC's Mosaic Festival of Cultures in Regina, modelling it on the format of Folklorama in Winnipeg. While with MCOS as part of the Diamond Jubilee festivities in Saskatchewan (known as Celebrate Saskatchewan) he and others conceived the idea and realization of the Prairie Lily Folk Ballet and "The Land and The People" - multicultural showcases of groups from across Saskatchewan that travelled to many centres and performing in front of thousands of Saskatchewanians celebrating a variety of heritages including performances for notable personalities such as the late Right Honourable Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. Being involved in the Ukrainian and multicultural communities gave Ostap the opportunity to meet many notable personalities from Canada and abroad, such as the opportunity to meet Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip in 1978, which he regularly made a point of passing on these opportunities to others. Upon retiring to Ituna in 1987, under the guidance of Father Maluga, CSsR, Ostap's last career choice became cantoring at Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church, Hubbard, SK in 1992. As Ostap grew into this new role, he began serving in many communities around Ituna accompanying many different priests performing a wide variety of services at many different churches, large and small, and secular institutions such as nursing homes and elder care facilities. He eventually joined the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood as part of his new role and enjoyed membership with this organization for many years. Ostap cantored for over 15 years serving the communities of his childhood and youth, giving back in a form that he found very enjoyable and rewarding in terms of community and Communion through the Church. Ostap had a great love of the land. Beginning with his farming roots, he never truly left the farm. After his parents moved into Ituna, he continued to farm with his family. His gardening was legendary, producing the finest potato and corn crops. He was never afraid of trying new things to encourage his gardens to flourish and new crops to grow, including zucchini resulting in some very large specimens of which many benefitted. He loved to cook, providing many memorable meals for both family and friends and arguably made "the best pickles on the planet" enjoying the expressions on the faces of those who were fortunate enough to taste them for the very first time. He welcomed people into his home with open arms. If these new people were possible romantic interests of his children or part of the extended family and did not have a great knowledge of the Ukrainian culture, Ostap would often begin their "education" by speaking to them solely in Ukrainian. His love of the land and outdoors extended beyond the family farm. He loved to hunt and fish, making many life-long friendships along the way and creating many, many fond memories and stories which were passed down to his children and grandchildren when they themselves were not part of them. He loved to fish in particular, and it was not necessarily the catching of the fish which he relished, but being on the water piloting his boat and ensuring those with him were enjoying themselves. Fishing with Ostap was "good for the soul" and the smile on his face told it all. His sense of humour was "something else" for he enjoyed the most obscure and tortured puns and would often make those mercilessly subjected to them groan. Ostap had a deep and abiding love of the Church. He never wavered in his Faith and commitment to the Ukrainian Catholic Church, be it in Regina or Ituna or the many communities in which he served. He lived his faith in whatever ways he could passing it down to his children and grandchildren. Ostap leaves to mourn his passing his devoted and loving wife of 60 years, Olga (Chorney), son Leo and his children Kalyna, Zakariah, and Alexander, daughter Donna and her children Wayne (Holly Hallikainen) Balion and Audra "Oriana" (David Schultz) Balion, son André and his children Michael and Sophia Piasta along with numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins in both Canada and Ukraine. Ostap's physical journey has ended and his physical presence is no longer with us but he remains with us in our memories and our hearts. He has passed on to the next stage of his journey, that beyond this physical realm. He is with the Lord and he is at peace, free from the bonds of his imperfect body and free to enjoy Paradise and to look down upon us all with love. Prayers were held on Friday, October 3, 2014 at Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ituna with Very Reverend Father Boris Kyba, C.Ss.R., Very Reverend Father Peter Pidskalny, C.Ss.R. and Reverend Fr. Methodius Kushko, C.Ss.R. officiating. The Holy Rosary led by members of the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood preceded the prayers. The Funeral Liturgy was held on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church with Very Reverend Father Boris Kyba, C.Ss.R. and Reverend Fr. Methodius Kushko, C.Ss.R. as Concelebrants. Reverend Father Andrew Piasta of the Orthodox Church of America assisted with the Panakyhyda.The cross bearer was grandson, Michael Piasta and the epistle reader was Gerry Grosulak. "All whose lives have been touched by his presence" were considered as Honourary Bearers. Members of the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood participated in an honour guard. The interment followed in Holy Spirit Parish Cemetery, Hubbard District with sons, Leo Piasta and Andre Piasta; grandsons, Wayne Balion, Zakariah Piasta and Alexander Piasta and nephew, Edward Kowal serving as pallbearers. Memorials honouring Ostap's life may be made to Holy Spirit Church or Cemetery Fund. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com Vichnaya Pamyat! Eternal Memory! Funeral arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home, Ituna. Service Information Friday, October 3rd, 2014 8:00pm, Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church Saturday, October 4th, 2014 10:30am, Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church Interment Details Holy Spirit Parish Cemetery - Hubbard