M. Bobowsky Died

Winnipeg. 26 December, 1957, long time member of the Ukrainian progressive organization in Winnipeg, Martin Bobowsky died.

M. Bobowsky was born in the village of Borychanka, Terebovlyanskoho region, Ternopil district, in 1880. He came to Canada as a young man and worked at various jobs. For many years he was employed in the administration of  Ukrainian Labour News in Winnipeg.

His funeral, which took place on 30 December at the Ukrainian Labour Temple in Point Douglas, was under the direction of Andrew Bileski and Teodot Lopushansky. Of the deceased’s family, two sons came from Toronto so that they could pay their respects to their father for the last time. The deceased also had four married daughters in Toronto. His wife, Anastasia Bobowska, who took an active leadership role within the progressive movement, died in 1946.

Ukrainian Word, 8 January 1958

Research Notes

The village of Borychanka does not exist. However the obituary places it in the same general area of Ukraine as Howilow Wielke. In the family bible Martin recorded that he was born in Howilow Wielke. Borychanka might have been the name of Martin’s father’s estate.

Point Douglas is the neighbourhood in North Winnipeg where Martin lived and worked. His funeral took place at the Ukrainian Labour Temple on Pritchard Avenue, the building in which Martin worked for many years. The Labour Temple was also the site of the community centre where Martin’s family had spent much of their time in the 1920s and 1930s.

The term “progressive movement” almost certainly refers to the programs of the Communist Party of Canada of which Martin was a long time member. Andrew Bileski who presided over the funeral was a member of the Communist Party of Canada. He ran for office in at least one provincial election. Teodot Lopushansky was a Winnipeg businessman also associated with the Communist Party of Canada.

When Martin died his sons Bill and Paul Bobbs went to Winnipeg from Toronto to attend his funeral, see to his burial, and wrap up his affairs.

Many thanks to Lillian Stearns, a volunteer archivist with the Canadian Society for Ukrainian Labour Research, for finding and translating this obituary.