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Obituary of Roman John Batiuk
It is with extremely heavy hearts that we are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, nephew and friend Roman Batiuk. He suddenly, yet peacefully passed on Friday, May 29, 2020 at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach, MB with his wife Audrey and children Greg and Chelsea by his side.
Roman was born on a beautiful mild Wednesday morning on December 7, 1949, in Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan to John and Sophie Batiuk. The year he was born his mother often spoke about how mild the winter was and how she could take him at a month-old place him in a wooden wagon and walk him down the old country roads with ease because there was little to no snow that year.
Roman spent his first three years of life growing up on his grandfather’s homestead in Vlardville, SK. He was quickly spoiled by his “gido” and uncles that also lived on the farm. Roman from the time he could walk would spend hours outside yelling for his gido, “gido, gido” could be heard across the farm yard because that is where he wanted to be. His gido would spend many a winter night on the house floor reading and playing with Roman before his bed time.
Roman moved to Dauphin, MB with his parents and sister Irene at the age of three years old. As Dauphin was a Ukrainian community and his parents were of Ukrainian descent Roman’s only language was Ukrainian. When he started school, he was held back in grade one because he could not speak English. This language barrier did not prevent Roman from learning English and he completed school graduating with his high-school diploma from Dauphin Collegiate in 1967.
During Roman’s early years he excelled in the sports of baseball and hockey of which Roman participated in many tournaments in Winnipeg, MB. During Roman’s high-school years his sport of choice was pole vaulting. He also loved to curl which he did throughout his high-school years. Roman started the game of golf in his later years only by accident with his cousin Dale. He could not understand how anyone could spend hours hitting, chasing, and looking for a ball on a wide-open green space – “what a waste of time” he exclaimed. Day 2 of golfing had Roman coming home from the golf course to Audrey amazement carrying a large golf bag with clubs that he had purchased – Audrey quickly informed Roman that he was about to “love golfing”. His love for sports was life long, he may not have been able to participate in his later years in sports, but you could find Roman glued to a television watching many sporting events. He also traveled to Winnipeg many times to watch and cheer on his favourite sport stars, his grandchildren.
Roman made many life long friends during his young years growing up in Dauphin. Many days and nights were spent playing cards at Matt Gingera’s farm with his friends Jean and Mervin. Hockey was played on Wakefield Street until “the boys” were pretty much frozen or a basement window was broken. We are pretty certain that Roman had his own “Cross the River Gang” because of the many friends that were always gathered on the street and yard. Roman loved playing much more than having to work in his parent’s garden. His parents kept the local hardware store in business by purchasing many hoes, shovels, and spades that Roman had some how “accidently” broken. Roman spent many hours riding his bike up and down the highway picking bottles so that he would always have some cash in his pocket. He also worked for Matt Gingera on his farm and he picked many potatoes at the Bilous Farm. Roman may have put this cash in his pockets, but he was more than generous to his sisters Irene and Nancy in sharing his wealth.
Roman, or Romeo as his sister affectionately called him lived up to his Romeo nickname during his teens and yearly twenties, but this all came to halt when Roman’s mother introduced him to Audrey Nychka. In June of 1971, one phone call made to Audrey asking her out on a double date led to a fairy tale love lasting almost 48 years. Audrey and Roman were married a year later on July 8, 1972 in Dauphin, MB. After a honeymoon to British Columbia and returning through the northern United States they moved to The Pas, MB to begin their newly wed life.
In The Pas Roman quickly gained employment at Manfor in the sawmill/planer departments. Over the years he proved himself as a very hardworking, reliable, trustworthy, knowledgeable employee thus leading to many friendships, promotions and many work-related trips to other sawmills throughout Canada and the United States. Due to a heart attack he left his employment at the mill in 2000. Roman and Audrey continued to make there home in The Pas for many years after leaving his position at the mill as this is where their family and friends were. In 2006, the decision was made to move south to be closer to their children. They settled in a beautiful apartment in Steinbach, MB and a few years later to a condo in Ste. Anne, MB.
The years spent in The Pas saw the birth of Roman’s two beautiful children Greg (1974) and Chelsea in (1983). The children were primarily raised in a beautiful custom-made home that Roman was very proud in being able to provide his family with on Waller Crescent in The Pas. For many years his favourite saying was, “no one has more fun than me”, and he lived up to what he said. Roman was a very generous and entertaining man – many guests whether family or friend were treated to suppers, lunches, drinks, and parties at Roman’s home, Roman loved to sing and dance - an entertainer he was. Stories, jokes, and laughter could be heard coming from his home because this is who Roman was. Roman loved to walk many kilometres a day, a once or twice walk to Snackland a few blocks away was always on the day’s agenda, and he was often seen driving around The Pas in his large truck, window down and smoking his cigar.
Roman was a wonderful father to his children. Greg and his father spent many hours fishing at Cormorant and Moose Lake. The competition always strong, but dad being proud when Greg would catch the most or largest fish. As a young boy dad and son took many trips together must often to British Columbia to visit family. The most memorable years for Greg have been the past five years where Greg travelled for his work and Roman would join him on these 2-3-day trips. When Greg would leave the hotel in the morning, he would ask his dad, “is there anything I can get you before I go to work”, to which Roman would respond, “two cheeseburgers and a beer”. Greg would return a short time later with Roman’s order. This time together afforded father and son a chance to visit, reminisce, and bond.
A father and daughter bond is one that can not be truly explained and thus was the bond between Chelsea and Roman. Chelsea was affectionately nicknamed “princess” by her Gido Batiuk and she certainly was daddy’s little princess. Chelsea and her dad could often be heard singing the lyrics to the song, Fishing in the Dark, by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Chelsea was fortunate enough to spend many vacations with her dad, each one being very special in its own way. Her favourite being the many trips to Florida where they could site-see, walk the beaches, and explore many eateries, later comparing their critics of the restaurants. Roman and Chelsea had a love of the cinema and popcorn. For Roman and Chelsea anytime spent together was cherished time as there was just so much to share, the most important thing was love.
Roman and Audrey not only shared memories of a life well lived while raising their children, but they were very fortunate in having the means to travel. Roman’s love for travel was infectious and his travel stories told and retold. Roman quickly expanded his cross Canada trips to include a first trip to Florida in the early 1970s, this led to many more memorable trips throughout the world over their 48 years together. Their trips included: St. Petersburg Beach in Florida; Disney World; Arizona; Mexico, Caribbean Islands, and Europe. Roman especially enjoyed his second trip to Europe to visit his cousin and other family members in Paris, France. This beautiful and memorable trip included visiting the countries of Spain and Switzerland.
Roman was a man of faith and loved his Lord and Saviour. Roman confirmed his dedication to The Lord when he was baptized in The Gulf of Mexico on Easter Sunday. He loved attending church service at Emmanuel Church in Steinbach and Pinellas Church in St. Petersburg.
This is just a glimpse into who Roman was, to each of us Roman will be remembered in many different ways each memory show casing the amazing: husband, father, brother, and friend he was.
We miss you already and love you forever.
Roman is survived by his beloved: wife Audrey Batiuk of Ste. Anne, MB; children Greg (Shannon) Batiuk of Winnipeg; and Chelsea (Shay) Little of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The role that became Roman’s favourite was that of grandfather to his grandchildren: Taylor Godlien; Connor, Ava, and Aiden Batiuk all of Winnipeg.
He is also survived by his: sisters Irene Firestone and Theresa (Les) Highfield as well as brothers: John (Paulina) Batiuk and Joe (Kathy) Batiuk; and brother in law Dennis (Ann) Nychka.
Roman was predeceased by: his parents John (1992) and Sophie (2018) Batiuk, and his sister Nancy (2018).
Private family service will be held on Saturday, June 6th, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.
