Sept. 19, 1926 - Nov. 15, 2007
Eugene was born on Sept. 19, 1926 in Fischerfranzen, Ukraine to Josef and Karolina. He had a twin brother who was lost in the war and a sister, Melita, still living in Germany. Eugene lived in the Ukraine until he was 18, then went into the army. His father was taken to prison in 1937 and was not seen after that. His mother and sister stayed together and landed back in the Ukraine after the war ended.
Eugene sailed to Canada in 1951, ending up in Quebec until 1953. From there he went on to Kamloops and worked in a sawmill there. In 1955 he moved to Vancouver where he worked in various sawmills and later at UBC in the poultry science department. In 1956 he met Helen Letkemann and in 1957 they were married in First United Mennonite Church. Over their 50 years of marriage they lived in Vancouver, Richmond, the Okanagan, and settled in Abbotsford in 1988. Eugene spent his last year and a half in the Menno Hospital.
Eugene enjoyed music, reading and working in his greenhouse and workshop.
Eugene is survived by his wife Helen, children Kathy, Anita, Karol and Eddy; sons-in-law Harry and Ron; grandchildren Jennifer, Jason, Brian and Becky, Sarah and 4 great grandchildren, Noah, Ian, Alyson and Jersey.
Memorial service will be held Thursday, Nov. 22, 11:00 am at Clearbrook Mennonite Church, 32027 Peardonville Rd., Abbotsford.