Vasyl Gojan

June 14, 2022, after complications from a radioactive spider bite that led to years of crime-fighting and a years-long battle with a nefarious criminal named Cancer,  Vas has left this universe. Civilians and families will recognize him best as Spider-Man and thank him for his many years of protecting our city. 

Prayers are at 7 pm June 19, 2022, at Korban Funeral Chapel, 907 Main Street. The Divine Liturgy will be held at 10:00 am, June 20, 2022, at St. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, 115 McGregor Street.

A longer obituary to follow.

Vichnaya Pamyat

With sadness, we announce that Vasyl Gojan, with his loving wife by his side, died peacefully on June 14, 2022, at the age of 71.

Vas will be missed by his wife Brenda; brother Peter (Carol) Gojan; children, Lesia (Dale) Klein, and Christine (Scott) Helm; grandchildren, Fender and Celeste. Brenda's children, grandchildren and Vas' friends, Tamara (Don), Stuart (Maria), Chris (Morgan) and grandchildren Madison, Mackenzie, Ethan, Hallie and Rowen.

He is predeceased by his parents, Mykola and Stefania Gojan.

Vas was born in Nottingham, England, in 1951 and immigrated to Canada with his parents and brother in 1957. At first, they were staying with cousins, the Skybowichs. They then lived on Manitoba Ave in the north end of Winnipeg, where his parent’s found jobs and began earning money to support their young family. 

Being of Ukrainian descent, English began as a second language. As a young child, Vas would write school lessons using Ukrainian Cyrillic letters translated to English. He was a smart child. Vas attended Margaret Scott School, Isaac Newton and proudly, Sisler High.

Many good times and memories were made with his family, including sledding off the roof after the snowstorm of 1966, tent camping to Banff and Jasper, Grand Beach and fishing in Libau. The Dauphin Ukrainian Festival was a highlight. As a young man, Vas backpacked through Europe alone, retaining amazing stories and gaining wisdom.

In 1975, the family bought a lot in Victoria Beach, where Vas and Peter begrudgingly cleared the land with an axe and machete for the future cottage. The cottage, with its yard, vastly cleared, is loved, and enjoyed to this day by his family. 

Vas was a member of CYM and Institute Prosvita, where he Ukrainian danced and contributed to. He could play the accordion, loved cars and knew how to have fun. He worked for the City of Winnipeg, was a mechanic and millwright, owned a Turbo gas station and ended his career as a class 1 truck driver. 

Vas started his own family and built his own house in St. Clements, Manitoba with the help of his father and friends. Lesia would eventually buy his house, and Vas would give tips on maintenance or explanations on why he built something a certain way continuously.  

Vas found himself as a single father and raised Lesia and Christine, nick-named "Tyna." At first, not knowing how to cook, a full English breakfast was his go-to recipe.  

When he wasn't cooking, he'd often bring his daughters to his Mom and Dad's house, where he would fill his plate to overflowing proportions. His (Ukrainian) Mom would demand Vas take seconds, and he would oblige with another overflowing plate. This satisfied his Mom and unfairly raised expectations for the rest of the family. 

Vas was a good father. He was always available to pick up or drive his girls to activities or home from the late evenings. He was forgiving when his deck was torn apart during a party, unbeknownst to him, and acted oblivious to the fact that his girls tried to rebuild it with scraps of wood. He found a way to take his girls to Disney World and trucking trips and was a patient teacher of the standard transmission. He would claim, "you need patience in raising two teenage women"! Vas enjoyed throwing his young daughters into the giant waves at the beach, would dress up and join in on Halloween parties and took his kids to amazing rock shows like Paul McCartney and Pink Floyd.

Vas loved watching his grandchildren grow, was close with his brother, was generous and a magnet to pets and animals.

In 2009 Vas met the great love of his life, Brenda, whose memories continue perfectly and poetically:

" A chance in a million, a smile, a nod, a flirtatious wink, and the beginning of a wonderful journey commenced. We became best friends, sharing our life stories with each other. I recognized that our paths were different yet uncannily the same. We talked for hours and even found comfort with each other, even in our silence. You calmed me, helping me navigate life's experiences differently. We learned together. Our relationship blossomed, our families met, and many occasions were celebrated together.

You taught me so many good things about myself and that there was always a funny side to life. Your wit, your humour and I began to laugh more. I saw through your eyes the adventures you had been on. You were hardworking, and I appreciated your immense worldly knowledge, humility, and willingness to help, which impacted those lives you touched.

Something that I thought was completely unattainable to me, something I could only dream about, was vacations to the south. What I thought was impossible became a new reality for me because of you. Puerto Plata-I couldn't believe that I was really there and how relaxed I became, and new adventures and memories were created. We enjoyed our trips to Punta Cana, Cuba and finally, Sousa. Sousa was our vacation home, and we extended our weeks away over time. One week eventually became three. The sunrises and sunsets were breathtaking. Strolling on the beach, hand in hand, simply enjoying ourselves.

I will always remember the F1 races, Go Jets Go, Velocity, watching a great game of golf, home reno's, dancing in the kitchen, making dinner together and our elevator rides. You had retired and you patiently waited until I would do the same.

In 2018 life changed; it became uncertain. You never stopped Vas; you fought hard, but we understood that God had a different plan. You even were able to help and care for me during my own health issue fighting the new battle together. I never felt alone Honey, you were my rock. "One Day at a Time."

There is nothing more profound today than the heartache that I feel because you are gone. I am so grateful to you for what you taught me, the gift of love you gave me, and your care and compassion. You completed me as we shared our hopes, strengths, and experiences. You will be in my heart forever.

Until we meet again, sweetheart, I know you are but a whisper away".

Many thanks to Dr. Bard, Dr. Czaykowski, Dr. Daeninck, Dr. Dubey, Dr. Tsang, the Cancer Care teams, and the Selkirk Hospital.