Russell Nykolaishyn

Russell John Nykolaishyn passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Health Science Centre in Winnipeg at 85 years of age. Russell was born at Roblin District Hospital on February 10, 1940, to parents John and Annie (nee Wawryk) Nykolaishyn. He grew up on the farm in the Zelena District and attended Northcliffe School. Since school wasn’t too interesting for him, he stopped attending school after grade 8. The message was that if you don’t go to school, you go to work. He then went to Toronto, where he worked at different jobs and then at the mine in Thompson.  He made enough money to buy farmland.  

During winter months, he worked at Parkland Repair Shop, fixing motors and snow machines.

On November 2, 1974, Russell married Eleanor Holowach of the Blue Wing District, and they resided in Roblin. Russell sold the farm and worked in the construction industry operating different types of equipment on various construction projects in different areas of Canada. He also worked for M & P Construction doing cement work.  Russell had a guiding and outfitting business for American hunters and spent a few summers in Nunavut, Northwest Territories. He was also involved in the trapping industry. He worked for farmers seeding and harvesting. He was never without a job and always managed to find work. He also worked several years for Alvin Laviolette Construction. Before Russell retired his last employer was Daniel La Liberte.

Of all the qualities that describes Russell, most will remember him as a hard-working man who never seemed to tire and was never afraid of hard work, he truly enjoyed it. He was a man of many talents and interests and always liked to help others. He was a determined man; anything he put his mind to he would excel at it.  He could fix just about anything; he had the ability to repair things, big or small. He was a self-taught, “homemade” mechanic. He spent time in his garage, grinding manufacturing, welding, and improvising. He could even design and create certain parts needed for equipment that would make it work better. He had an amazing ability to make something work and/ or modify it to get it to work to suit his needs.

Russell was an adventurous person and loved the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and received several Master Angler Awards.

 Russell was particular to details, especially the garden …no weeds. He enjoyed planting a garden and looking after it from beginning to finish. With his frequent acts of kindness, he shared the garden produce with those who didn’t have any. He also shared fish that he caught and wild mushrooms that he picked.

Russell was a content person. His attitude was that each day was a gift from God. He didn’t talk about regrets or what should’ve been. He was a great storyteller with lots of real-life humorous stories.

Russell served on the executive at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church at Roblin as well as being Sacristan. He was also available to help as Sacristan in other churches where he was needed. For several years, he was groundskeeper for the Roblin Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, where he devoted a lot of his time. He also served on the Central Eparchy.

Over the years as rheumatoid arthritis, blood clots, and other illnesses tried to slow him down, he still managed to keep active and have a zest for life. These years were also challenging for him as retirement and slowing down were concepts he was not familiar with. Despite the challenges, he didn’t give up but made the best of whatever life handed him. He would say “That’s life or don’t pray for an easy life. Pray to be a strong person”.

Russell and Eleanor enjoyed travelling to other areas to attend church services when services were not held in this area and at the same time, enjoy the trip.  Russell would take an alternative route back so that they could see more sites.

Years 2024 and 2025 brought additional health issues which limited his mobility and strength. He tried to carry on as normal, but was unable to do so, just on a limited basis.

Russell is survived by wife, Eleanor, sister, Arlene (Andy) Warbeck; brothers Walter (Mary) Nykolaishyn, Jerry Nykolaishyn; numerous nieces, nephews and relatives from the Holowach family, including aunt Martha, MacLellan, and Aunt Lynn Lochhead.

Russell was predeceased by parents, John and Annie Nykolaishyn; grandparents Peter and Anna (nee Mymko) Nykolaishyn, Peter and Mary (nee Beck), Wawryk; sisters and brother-in-law Mary (Charlie) Malashewski, Victoria (William) Yakimishyn; sister-in-law Gladys Nykolaishyn; niece Lori Vandermeer; father-in-law Jacob Holowach and mother-in-law Vera Holowach.

“The hardest part of losing someone isn’t saying goodbye but learning to live without them “.

VICHNAYA PAMYAT – MEMORY ETERNAL

A Funeral Service was held for Russell on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 10:00 am from the St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Roblin with Very Rev. Fr. Brent Kuzyk officiating. Interment followed in the St. John the Baptist Orthodox Cemetery.

Vichnaya Pamyat

The service will be live streamed for those that are unable to attend.

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