Jaroslaw Barwinsky, MD, FRCSC

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our cherished and beloved husband, tato, dido, brother and uncle on Sunday, August 28, 2016. Dr. Jaroslaw Barwinsky was born in selo Tovstoholovy, povit Zboriw, oblast Ternopil, Ukraine on October 15, 1926. Mourning his loss are his wife of 60 years, Mary, children Larysa, Ihor (Jane), Martha (Mark), Christina (Jason), and grandchildren Natalka, Matthew, Nicholas, Alexis and James, and Mark’s daughter Carley, sister Eustachia and brother-in-law Dmytro Shtohryn, sister-in-law Anne Fraser, brother-in-law Bohdan Pidlisecky (Alexis) and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his loving parents Ahaphia and Osyp, son-in-law Chris Fitkowsky, brother-in-law Hugh Fraser, and family members in Ukraine.

Jaroslaw completed his high school/gymnasium in Ternopil during World War II. Towards the end of the war, he, his parents and sister were interned in Strasshof, a Nazi forced labour camp close to Vienna, Austria. After surviving the atrocities of war, they were relocated to a displaced persons camp in post-war Germany. At that time, he met Father Stock, a chaplain of the US army, who helped him enrol in the Medical Faculty of the University of Munich in 1946. In 1948, the family immigrated to Canada and on his 22nd birthday, they arrived in Halifax at Pier 21 and soon after settled in Winnipeg.

When Jaroslaw arrived in Canada, he spoke neither English nor French, but was determined to continue his university education. He enrolled in evening classes in English at St. John’s High School. Thereafter, he was accepted to summer school at the University of Manitoba followed by enrolment to St. Paul’s College. He spent summers as a porter on CP Rail to generate income to be able to attend university. After completion of two years at St. Paul’s College, he was accepted to the Medical Faculty of the University of Manitoba and graduated with an M.D. Degree in 1955.

In 1954, he became a citizen of Canada. He was forever grateful to Canada and to his new home of freedom and opportunities.

As a student in the Medical Faculty, Jaroslaw met a beautiful nurse at St. Boniface General Hospital, the love of his life, Mary Pidlisecky. They were married August 25, 1956. Mary’s unwavering and selfless devotion, love and support allowed him to fully dedicate his calling in life as a surgeon. It was a beautiful partnership.

After his graduation in 1955, he was accepted for post-graduate Training in Surgery and Thoracic Surgery at the University of Manitoba. He advanced his training at the Western Reserve University and Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Their first child, Larysa, was born during his training in Cleveland. In 1961, he, Mary and Larysa returned to Winnipeg to the relief of his parents. Their other three children, Ihor, Martha and Christina were born in Winnipeg in subsequent years.

Dr. Barwinsky was appointed to the academic staff in the Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, and to the surgical and medical staff in the teaching hospitals in Winnipeg. He became the first Canadian of Ukrainian descent trained in cardiac surgery. As a young cardiac surgeon in the 1960s, he joined Dr. Morley Cohen and was involved in the developmental process of heart surgery in Winnipeg through research and practice by introducing new operative procedures, such as pacemaker implantation, heart valve surgery and coronary bypass grafting. On February 12, 1962, he installed the first pacemaker in Manitoba. He performed over 5,500 surgeries throughout his 37-year career as a cardiac surgeon, significantly improving the quality of life for his patients.

Dr. Barwinsky was also a devoted and excellent teacher. He was Full Professor of Surgery at the University of Manitoba teaching cardiac surgery and related sciences to undergraduate and post-graduate students. He was Head of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at St. Boniface General Hospital and University of Manitoba. He retired from the practice of heart surgery on December 31, 1998. Prior to that, he received a Fellowship Degree in Medical Ethics from the University of Chicago. Following retirement, he served on the Public Health Committee with the Manitoba Medical Association addressing health care issues and physical activity of the elderly. As Professor Emeritus, he continued teaching postgraduate students in surgery at the Faculty of Medicine until 2004.

He served on the boards of numerous professional organizations in Canada, the USA and the UK, including the Catholic Physicians Guild, and was one of the founding members of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. He also participated in international professional scientific meetings in several countries, presenting the status and outcomes of heart surgery in Winnipeg. Throughout his career, he published over 56 scientific abstracts, 34 scientific papers and 5 books. All of these accomplishments were in addition to his very busy practice of heart surgery, and his dedication as a husband and father.

For his services throughout his lifetime, Dr. Barwinsky received numerous awards, such as Taras Shevchenko Medal for contribution to the development of Ukrainian Canadian Culture, Osvita Foundation Honoree, Distinguished Alumni Award University of Manitoba, Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Award, St. Boniface Research Institute Heart Care Award, Caritas Award, and Recognition by Private Bill by the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

Jaroslaw honoured and loved his Ukrainian heritage. He served on many boards including St. Sophia in Rome and in Canada, Canada-Ukraine Foundation, Taras Shevchenko Foundation, Osvita Foundation, Canadian Ukrainian Congress, and Ukrainian Medical Association of North America. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, he was instrumental in raising funds to assist in the establishment of the Association of Cardiac Surgeons in Ukraine for which he was granted the status of Honorary Member. He was also a great patron of the arts in Winnipeg, including serving on the board of directors of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

On the personal side, Jaroslaw loved to travel. He and Mary frequently travelled together on his scientific meetings to numerous destinations around the world and there was always a family trip each year. The most memorable was the family trip to Italy, which included having lunch at the Vatican with Cardinal Josyf Slipyj.

Jaroslaw and Mary built their family home in 1970 where they raised all of their children and the home was a haven for their grandchildren to hang out with Baba and Dido. There was always a warm and cheery welcome at the door with a choice of wine for all visitors. One of his greatest joys in summer was having their children and grandchildren spend countless hours swimming in the pool.

Our Jaroslaw was a humble and deeply spiritual man. His belief in the sanctity of the family and his unwavering belief in the Lord carried him through times of fear and uncertainty, happiness and great joy. He was guided everyday by his faith and the wisdom of his own parents. He was a wonderful husband and father, and the love and pride he had for his grandchildren was immense. Jaroslaw possessed an unparalleled work ethic, was a man of very high standards and strove to provide his patients and their families with care, compassion and respect. He never once took for granted the solemn responsibility of holding life in his hands. He was larger than life. We love you so very much Slawko, Tato, Dido and miss you beyond words.

Thank you to all the caregivers from WRHA and Home Instead for their tremendous support. Thanks to Dr. Kevin Coates for his care and treatment of Jaroslaw and the respect he always showed him and our family. A heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Isabelle Paquin, whose care, compassion and support helped us through a difficult time.  Thanks to all the staff in Emergency and 4B Family Medicine. The love we feel for our Jaroslaw and everything he stands for was an overwhelming force as we came together to be with him.

Donations may be made in his memory to the Jaroslaw and Mary Barwinsky Scholarship at the University of Manitoba, The Shevchenko Foundation, or the St. Boniface Hospital and Research Foundation.

Panachyda (prayers) will be held Thursday, September 1, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. with funeral liturgy to be celebrated on Friday, September 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with Rt. Rev. Msgr. Mitrat M. Buyachok presiding. Both events will be held at Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, 115 McGregor. Interment at All Saints Cemetery.  

VICHNAYA PAMYAT

KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL

204-956-2193

www.korbanchapel.com

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