Lazurko, Reverend Father Yurij
Reverend Father Yurij Lazurko
March 9, 1947 – October 9, 2019
Reverend Father Yurij Lazurko of Moose Jaw, SK passed away peacefully on October 9, 2019. Father Yurij was born on March 9, 1947 in Balingen, Germany to parents Klym and Iryna (Danylak) Lazurko. The family emigrated to Canada in 1948, settling in Canora, SK. Following completion of high school Father Yurij attended the University of Saskatchewan graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Diploma in Education. He taught school in Buchanan for one year and four years at St. Joseph’s College in Yorkton. He left teaching for one year to complete his Bachelor of Education degree in 1975. That year he married Dorothy Bomok in Saskatoon. They moved to Moose Jaw where he spent the next twenty nine years teaching physics and chemistry at the Saskatchewan Technical Institute (STI), later known as SIAST. Life became busy raising a family and being involved in church, school, and community. In 1990 he was ordained a Deacon in the Ukrainian Catholic Church. In 2004 upon retirement from teaching, Father Yurij entered Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Seminary in Ottawa, attending St. Paul’s University. In 2005 he was ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Michael Wiwchar, CSsR. He was honoured to serve the parishes of Moose Jaw and District (Chaplin, Glentworth, Hodgeville and Swift Current) for the next twelve years, retiring in 2017 due to failing health. Father Yurij was a musician and a vocalist. He played the violin, and directed church and community Ukrainian choirs. His passion was Ukrainian liturgical music. He played bridge, was a basketball referee, and loved fishing, especially the trips to Northern Saskatchewan for “the big catch”. He was extremely proud of his children and always made time for them. The brightest stars in his world were his nine grandchildren. He cherished every event, visit and opportunity he had to spend with them. He knew they loved him. He was the best Dido ever! Father Yurij is predeceased by his parents. He will be forever loved by his wife, Dorothy; his sons Gregory, Mark (Kathleen) and daughter Christina (Mathew) Pulickal; his grandchildren: Matthew, Kara, Adam, Andrew and Gemma Lazurko, Maximus, Benjamin, Gabrielle and Samara Pulickal. Father also leaves to mourn his sister, Oksana (James) McIntyre; brothers, Markian (Halyna) Lazurko, Andrij (Carla) Lazurko, and their children and grandchildren; Dorothy’s siblings and their families and many wonderful cousins and special Godchildren. Funeral Prayers will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 625 – 5th Ave. SW, Moose Jaw, SK. Funeral Liturgy will be held on Friday, October 18, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Church of Our Lady, 566 Vaughan St. Moose Jaw, SK. Interment to follow at Rosedale Cemetery. Celebrant Most Reverend Bishop Bryan Bayda, CSsR, concelebrants clergy of the Eparchy of Saskatoon. The family thank the staff at Providence Place for their kindness and care of Father Yurij during the past ten months. Thank you to Deacon Lamont Dyck for his spiritual companionship to Father Yurij. Donations in Father Yurij’s name may be made to The Ukrainian Sisters of St. Joseph Ukraine Orphans Fund, 33 Valens Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7L 3S2 would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. James Murdock, Funeral Director 306-693-4550.
Dorothy and family
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Carol(Chohaniuk) Jeff, Sara and Jenna Richardson
To the family of Father Yurij, I worked at the institute for many years and got to know Yurij quite well. We had a number of things in common, with the first being that I was the Physics instructor at STI from 1966-69. My wife Peggy and I send our sincerest condolences to all member of the Lazurko family. We know you will always have the fondest memories of this husband, father and grandfather.
Our deepest condolences to the Lazurko family
My deepest sympathy to Dorothy. and family. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family .
Dorothy and family. We are sending you are deepest condolences and thinking of you all.
Deepest Sympathies are with you during this difficult time of sorrow! May you cherish all the fond memories of your husband, dad, father in law and Gido!
Dorothy and family – Cliff and I were very saddened to learn of Yurij’s passing. Our deepest sympathy. You are in our thoughts and prayers and may God bless you all.
Our Condolences. May he rest in Peace in His loving arms in
Eternity. Vichnaya Pamyat…
Elaine and the Sokoloski Family…..
Our deepest condolences Dorothy to you and your family. Also, to Markian, Oksana, Andrij and their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Blessings to all.
Dorothy and family, our deepest sympathy is with you all at this difficult time.
Deepest sympathy Dorthy, Greg, Mark, Christina and families. May Father Yurij Rest In Peace
Dorothy so sorry for your loss. It was a pleasure getting to know you and Yuri during his short time ar extendicare. God bless you and your family.
Dorothy, Gregory, Mark and Christina & families
So very sorry to hear about the loss of your husband and father and grandfather.
Cherish all your memories.
Our thoughts and prayers are will you all.
Larry Chrun and family
Aunty Dorothy and family,
I’m very sorry for your loss. Uncle Yuri was a great man and had a very generous spirit. I will always remember how beautifully he spoke at Babas funeral and how touching and meaningful his words were. My thoughts are with
you during this difficult time.
Dear Dorothy & family, So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts & prayers are with you.
Dorothy & Family. I’m so sorry for your loss. I do know what it’s like. May you feel comfort in knowing he is now safe in the arms of Jesus.
Gladys Fiendell (nee Sliva)
Sincere sympathy Dorothy & family in the passing of Yuri. Perhaps he is “catching up” with Charlotte on what all has been happening. Praying for you in your loss, Charlotte’s sister Ruth
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Dorothy and your family.
Fr Yuri will always be in your hearts and in the hearts of so many
that he has met.
Dorothy and family. Our deepest sympathy in the lost of Father Yuri. Wally will always remember Fathers welcoming face coming down the hallway at the hospital in Regina. He cherishes the memory.
Dorothy and family. Our deepest condolences to you and your family. Sending you prayers.
Dorothy and family, I met Yuri through basketball officiating and working a game with him was always a joy. He brought enthusiasm and eagerness to the game and he was entertaining to talk to during the timeouts. Yuri had a great sense of humour and was a very funny and entertaining guy, when given the opportunity. I will always remember him fondly. Our most sincere condolences. Clive and Muriel Tolley
Dorothy our thoughts and prayers are will you and your family, during this time of sorrow.
I was saddened to hear of Yurij’s passing – Fond memories of laughter and family togetherness growing up around you both and of course babysitting. Sending gentle hugs –
RIP
Dorothy & Family,
Heartfelt sympathies, love and prayers during this time of separation from your husband, father and grandfather…..
Daryl & Eileen