Alexander Lehky

Alexander Lehky was born to Henry and Anastasia (Nellie) Lehky on December 7, 1925.  He was their first born out of 7 children. They lived in the small village of Derziw which is outside of the city of Lviv.  

Henry and Nellie had 6 other children; Harry, twins Vera And Natalia, Rosie, Walter and Ivan. Al attended school in the village until Grade 5. When Al was 16 the German army came into the village and took the oldest child out of every house hold; Al was the oldest in his family. They rode the train and were taken to a facility.  There wasn’t a bed available for him so he crawled under one of the  beds and fell asleep, when he woke up all the rest of the boys he knew were gone. The next day he was sent on a train to a farm in Germany where he worked as a farm hand and in a carpentry shop. Al stayed in Germany for the next 8 years.  When the war was over, he did not wish to return to Ukraine which was following communist rule.  He had been corresponding with his Uncle John  who was now a priest in Grandview, Manitoba.  His uncle knew of a farmer who was willing to sponsor Al to come to Canada. Al agreed to come over and work on the farm of Henry and Nellie Pulock.

As Al was a single person, he was placed lower in priority than the families for flying out of Germany. One of the families that was set to leave was told they couldn’t fly as their child was sick, the workers quickly searched to see who had all their paper work in order. Fortunately for Al he was ready and ended up being flown out early.  He flew into Montreal and took the train to Dauphin. 
Al worked for one and half years on the Pulock farm and then in 1950 was hired on with CN rail where he worked up north in places like Pikwitonie, Thicket Portage and Wabowden.  He learned English from a coworker from the UK.  He enjoyed his visits with his uncle and the Pulock family on his time off.  

Eventually Al started dating Jeanette Pulock, the oldest daughter.  In the Fall of 1957, Al proposed to Jean and they were married on June 7th 1958.  They took the train to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon, and settled in Portage La Prairie.  

Eventually Al left CN as he and Jean started their new business, Al’s Drive Inn. For most people, their ice cream was the best thing around. 

On May 29, 1961 they started their family with Ivan and a year and one day later Brian was born May 30, 1962. 

The business was busy as it was open every day with long hours, but Al loved the idea of farming and eventually bought farm land. He loved animals of all sorts, his dogs (Jana was a favourite) his cows, chickens, and eventually a couple of donkeys.  

Through the years, family and church were important and the boys attended, took catechism, participated in Ukrainian dancing, and hockey, where Al never missed a game. In the later years their teammates hoped they would get to ride home with Al as he might buy them a special beverage for the ride home.  The boys graduated and headed off to Winnipeg.  Brian married Bernice and Ivan married Connie.  Al was so proud of his grandchildren Brandyn, Jonathyn and Sean because the Lehky name would live on in Canada. As for Ryse, the girl that they had always hoped for had arrived as their granddaughter.  He and Jean would babysit and enjoyed their events and activities: Ukrainian dancing, hockey, soccer, highland dancing to name a few.  He was a passionate cheerer and could on occasion be heard yelling at the ref “hey, that’s a penalty”.  He loved that fact all of the grandkids headed off to school and obtained employment they enjoyed.

Eventually in 1994 when Ukraine became independent, Ivan convinced Al that they should travel to Ukraine to meet his Baba, aunts, uncles and cousins.  Al, Ivan and Brian went to Ukraine and Al got to see his mom again for the first time in 50 years.  He and Jean and Father Lehky traveled back to visit several times. They even celebrated one of their anniversaries in the Ukraine with Ivan, Connie and the boys.  

Eventually Al and Jean retired from the store and Al farmed  with each of his sons.  He enjoyed his garden and visiting family.  
Al was tickled pink with the coming of great grandchildren Rekkhi, Vadik and when Lenna arrived shortly after the passing of Jean –  a tear rolled down his cheek and said "Baba would have loved to meet her". 

When Jean’s health declined, he felt he needed to be with her and went to the care home with her.  Following her death, he stated that he wanted to stay at the care home.  Why would I leave he said, they cook for me, they do my laundry, they look after me.  He enjoyed his bingo at the care home and carefully saved the prizes for his great grand kids.  He enjoyed crib with each of his visits and was sharp as a tack, correcting Connie on how many points she had in her hand or teasing when he was leading in points.  

Al celebrated his 100th birthday in December this past year and was so honored that so many people attended his birthday and celebrated with him.  

This past May, Al was delighted that his brother Harry’s granddaughter Oksana, came to visit him in Canada.  They sang and talked in Ukrainian and he was so pleased she came to see him.  

Al was predeceased by his wife Jean, all his siblings in the Ukraine. His brother-in-laws Edward and Mike Pulock, Peter Mykolaishyn, Ken Rubeniuk. Sister-in-law Mabel Pulock. Left to celebrate a life well lived are his sons Ivan (Connie), Brian (Bernice), grandchildren Brandyn (Remmi), Jonathyn, Sean and Ryse, great grandchildren Rekkhi, Vadik and Lenna. Sister in laws Shirley Mykolaishyn, Elsie Pulock, Marlene Kotyk, Betty Rubeniuk and numerous nieces and nephews.  

Prayers will be held for Alexander on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 7:00 pm from the Sneath Strilchuk Family Care Centre in Dauphin, MB

A Graveside Service will be held for Alexander on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 11:00 am from the St. Elias Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Grandview with Rev Father Ivan Hnativ officiating.  

Should friends so desire, donations in memory of Alexander may be made to Grandview PCH PO Box 130 Grandview, MB R0L 0Y0,  St. Elias Ukrainian Catholic Church 126 Sinnott Ave Grandview, MB R0L 0Y0 or the Canada Ukraine Foundation www.cufoundation.ca

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alexander Lehky, please visit our floral store.