In Memory of Michael
Prybyla
A Eulogy
Michael was born in
Hamilton, Ont. on
Through
the hard work and strong cultural commitment of his parents to the Ukrainian
National Federation (UNF), Michael was raised and socialized by pioneering
parents to have an invincible life-long dedication and responsibility to the
Ukrainian community. His second home, the UNF Hall, was always an important
priority in his life filling his youth with Ukrainian choir and dance, zabavas,
and holiday and Ukrainian celebrations with other extended family and friends.
Even in his final days, Michael’s priority was given to the Wednesday UNF
Senior’s Club “at the Hall” where he looked forward to the weekly lunch, cards
and companionship.
As
a young boy, Michael attended
At
age 16, he started his working career as a stock boy at Crawford Cartage.
Eventually to become Hanson Transport, he worked for 7 years as mechanic and
then driver.
In
1950, he took his first leap into self-employment and opened and operated PRY
General Store located at Upper Gage and Mohawk; during this time he also
received his Postmaster designation.
In
1958, Michael moved on again to open
As
a young man, these early years, of course, were not just about work, and in
1957, Michael married his sweet-heart Ann Hrycko whom he had casually met at
one of the Sunday night dances at Holy Spirit Church Hall. They moved shortly
after into their new bungalow proudly built with his father on
January
1960 gave way to Anne Michele - first-born girl in the Prybyla lineage in over
25 years. In September, two years later, Michael William (Bill) was born;
Michael’s family was complete.
Happily
settled into family life, Michael sold the Astral Restaurant in 1966 and
accepted the position of Maintenance Supervisor, Truck Division, at Essex Meat
Packers; he aspired to Plant Supervisor a few years later.
In
June of 1970, Michael took yet another step forward by joining a brand new
company called Tiger Snak Foods, a fast food and catering business with an
operating base stationed out of Ivor Wynne Stadium. The years of Tiger Snak
Foods were filled with lots of fun, hard work and prosperity, and was the
training ground for many Hamilton youth who were taught to flip their first
hamburger, pack a hot dog into a wrapper, make egg salad sandwiches for senior
citizen picnics and popping oh-so-many bags of popcorn for football games and
circuses in the Mountain Arena. Booth Number 8 is where it all happened with
Betty Peck as Michael’s “Girl Friday” and Jimmy Hyke running deliveries to all
the park concession stands. For 15 years, Michael’s catering hospitality served
countless numbers of French fries, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and Pepsis at
In
1982, Tiger Snak Foods was liquidated resulting in yet another change to
Michael’s purpose for business, and in 1986, PRY Enterprises was born; a
plastics distribution brokerage for cheese and meat packaging companies.
Michael’s effort and philosophy toward work was never “nine to five”, and his
concern for customer service was his driving force until he retired earlier
this year, 2013. For over 20 years, Michael serviced his customers with quality
products, spirit and heart. When one speaks about SERVICE - Michael was a
humble servant of the Lord. Until his death, he wanted to ensure that his
customers were taken care of. He asked his son Bill to take a day off here and
there over the last few weeks so that his orders would be filled. I know that
Bill saw this as his way of saying goodbye to all his customers, for he saw
that all was coming to an end. Father Lopatniuk made mention last night about
the care packages Michael would bring people especially at Easter and Christmas
time - great meats from Brantford, kovbassa, ham, etc. People looked forward to
these deliveries. Ann had to help Michael during this last Easter season with
these deliveries. There was a friend of the family whom Michael always treated,
and he wanted to leave a package for them, however, they were not at home. It
was left at the door. When the friend called later to say: “You do not have to
do this anymore,” Michael said: “I’ve done this all my life and I’m not
stopping now.” What a generous and giving person!
Outside
work and family, Michael’s main commitments were to his church, to the
Ukrainian National Federation, and to the UNF Chaika Dance Ensemble. A
long-time member of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, he served 9 years
on the Parish Council as Recording Secretary, and sang dutifully and joyfully
for 15 years as a choir member. With a passionate will to ensure Ukrainian
holidays were celebrated well, Michael was instrumental in organizing and
managing decades of Malanka’s at the Hall as well as carolling with friends for
over 60 years. He dedicated 33 years to managing Chaika bingos raising hundreds
of thousands of dollars in support of his children, grandchildren and children
of many Ukrainian families seeking education about the beautiful history and
culture of the homeland,
And
when work and volunteering was done, Michael’s greatest pleasure was a game of
golf, but mostly to be home enjoying his flowers, caring for his vegetable
garden, growing prize-winning garlic, trimming his raspberry bushes, watching
Stefanie, Joanna, Sammy and Mikayla swim in the pool, and playing Canasta to
win! His four-legged friends, Muffin and Carly, held a special place in his
heart. Michael’s home was his oasis from the commitment to everything else.
Michael
was a good and decent man who was thoughtful and kind, hard working and
positive about everything that came his way; his base for being able to give so
selflessly. Last evening at the funeral home, many saw Lindt Chocolates
and many took one, more for the fact that they wanted to be reminded of
Michael’s kindness and giving spirit. My daughter found a Lindt
chocolate wrapper in a coat pocket that she had worn for Easter Sunday. When
Lesia told her she would put it in the garbage, Kalynna replied, “No, I want to
keep it as a reminder of Pan Prybyla”. So who will continue to give out the Lindt
chocolates? We all will, for it was never about the chocolates… it was about
the spirit of giving and being good to one another… that was the lesson.
Michael
was extremely proud and loved his family deeply often more in gestures than in
words but with no less intensity or meaning.
Michael’s
life journey has ended; his earthly work now done. May he rest now painlessly
and peacefully in the arms of our Lord.
NP – Michael Prybyla passed away peacefully at