Alexander Domytrak

After an afternoon in his garden, Alex died peacefully at home on July 27 with his wife Anne by his side. He is lovingly remembered by Anne (nee Harland); his daughters Diane (Rodny) and Carolyn (Cheng-Liang); his precious grandson Marki; his siblings Joan (Richard), Sonia (Walter), and Bohdan (Esther); his sisters-in-law Helen, Freda (Gary), Donna (Ron); his brother-in-law Fred (Mardele); his cousins and his nieces and nephews.

 Alex was predeceased by his parents Olga (nee Yaremy) and John; baby sister Lesia; brother Walter; his loving and loved parents-in-law Hartley, Freda and Alma Harland; brother-in-law Bruce; and many beloved aunts and uncles.

 Alex was a good man who lived a good life. Born in Overstone, RM of Franklin and raised on the family farm at Tolstoi, Alex learned to work hard at a young age. He started school without speaking English, only Ukrainian. He finished high school by going to the only close option for grade 12, Dominion City, where he boarded for the year. University started at Queens with a year of chemical engineering, before returning to Manitoba. It turned out that Alex suffered from allergies in the chemistry lab and as a filial son he followed his mother’s wishes and attended seminary to become a Ukrainian Orthodox priest. That was not his calling though and he dropped out after two weeks. So, after working as a permit teacher in Baldur to earn tuition, he graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Education. 

 As a single man, Alex’s professional life took him to Melita and Strathclair as a high school physics and math teacher as well as basketball coach. Lifelong friendships were started in those towns. In Strathclair, his youngest brother, Bohdan, stayed with him in a little camping trailer (prairie winters included) to take grade 12. 

 Alex ended his bachelorhood in Strathclair, Anne’s hometown, when Anne came home for a visit and her best friend played matchmaker. Alex joined the United Church, married Anne in July 1967 and they immediately left for Ghana where Alex taught in the prestigious Methodist Boys’ School for three years under CIDA.

 Alex and Anne returned to Manitoba a month before becoming parents, and Alex taught at Amaranth for a year. They then moved on to Swan River for several years, where they became parents for a second time and from where Alex travelled to Winnipeg on weekends to earn his Masters degree. While living in Swan River, he also drove to Minitonas where he taught and coached. From there they left for Brisbane, Australia where for almost four years, Alex was a teacher at one of Australia’s top high schools. He led students on many camping, hiking and abseiling trips, including to the Outback. In Brisbane, he built his first computer.

 Back in Canada, Alex taught at Winnipegosis for a couple of years. This is where he first started teaching computer, became an Elk, volunteered as an ambulance attendant and started his Reach for the Top coaching journey before moving to Pinawa in 1981.

 Settling down, Pinawa Secondary School was his longest teaching gig. He retired in 1995 and met many beloved students and colleagues there. From his first days, Pinawa was also notable for his involvement in Lions, the Pinawa Christian Fellowship, the choirs and Toastmasters. In those places, he was grateful for friendship, opportunities to help the community and do things that brought him joy.

 Retirement in Pinawa brought him a grandson, more travel, more reading and learning, and of course, more time in his gardens. 

 Throughout his life, teaching and meeting up with former students always brought him so much happiness and connection.

 Alex had too many honourable characteristics to list, but at the very least he was faithful to God, humble, kind, patient, generous, sociable, filled with a quirky sense of humour, intelligent, the best husband, father and grandfather imaginable. As a friend put it, he was a gentle man and a gentleman. He is very loved.

 A funeral service will be held at the Pinawa Lutheran Church, 25 Massey Ave., Pinawa, MB, on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pinawa Christian Fellowship Church, Box 582, Pinawa, MB,    R0E 1L0.

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com