Dymytry (Jim) passed away after a brief battle from complications of cancer. His son, Greg Fodchuk was at his side as he peacefully passed. Predeceased by his parents Anna (1962) and John Fodchuk (1977), his sisters, Usteen Fodchuk (1964), Mary J. Batten, Chief Justice (ret) (2015), former spouse, Hilda May Fodchuk (2004), his niece Justine J. E. Batten (2017)
Dymytry will be sadly missed by his daughter Maureen Elaine Reilly (nee Fodchuk), son Gregory John Thomas Fodchuk (Mari), grandchildren Karina Fodchuk, (Xie Wen Kai (KK)), great grandson (Kyler Fodchuk), Michael Fodchuk, nephews Gerald Pinton (Susan), Brian Pinton, Dick Batten (Donna), nieces Jyll Batten-Young (Greg Buhl), Trisha Batten (Clay Serby), extended family, many dear lifelong friends and
Especially his wonderful neighbours Cecilia and Mike (Jette), Manel and Eddie (Edirisinghe)
Jim, born in Calder, Saskatchewan, travelled to the West Coast as a teenager and enlisted in the Canadian Army, with the Princess Patricia Light Infantry Regiment (2PPCLI), fighting in the Korean War (1950-53). Specifically Jim’s brigade was part of the defending the Hill 677,Battle of Kpyong (saving the City of Seoul) and was the first Canadian Unit to be honoured with the United States Presidential Unit Citation from the American government. .
He returned to Canada and over the next 32 years, built a flourishing women’s apparel business (Hilda’s Apparel Ltd.) with his wife, Hilda in Richmond BC. Some of his fondest memories were with his 2 best friends, Al Kronier and Ron Carlisle, fishing and hunting in the Chilcotins for 30 consecutive years. Jim also spent many memorable years as a member of the Point Grey Golf & Country Club. He was generous, with a larger than life personality, enthusiastically sharing his interests in gardening, photography, tennis, golf, Ikebana flower arranging, Bonsai trees, Haiku poems, good scotch and anything chocolate. He also had memorable trips to England, Japan and throughout the United States.
Thank you to everyone who helped make Dad’s 90th birthday so special and creating so many wonderful memories for his last year with us.
A Celebration of Life in Vancouver will be announced at a later date. In Lieu of flowers or donations, Dad would be most fondly remembered by planting his favourite Calla Lilies in your garden.