On the Passing of James Shamchuk, Treasurer of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada

James Shamchuk (1938-2018)

On Tuesday, June 12, 2018, James “Jim” Shamchuk, the Treasurer of the Patriarchal Parishes and a member the Church Board of St. Barbara’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Edmonton, AB, passed away peacefully at the age of 79.

James will be sadly missed and forever remembered by his loving daughters, Diane (Bob), Carol (Dave) and Anita (Doug); son, John; grandchildren, Brittney, Cameron, Riley, Alycia, Renée, Tiah, Laura and Logan; sister, June; and numerous nieces and nephews. James was predeceased by his wife, Irene; and parents, John and Anna.

James was an accountant for over 50 years earning his FCMA, FCPA in 2014­, of which he was very proud. He gave his time to various organizations over the years including the PC party of Alberta and St. Barbara’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral. He was always willing to lend a helping hand whenever he could. James loved spending time with family and cherished all special occasions.

The funeral service was conducted on Tuesday, June 26, 10 a.m. at St. Barbara’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Edmonton. Officiating and conducting the services were His Grace Bishop Iov (Job) and V. Rev. Igor Kisil. The church choir, under the direction of John Margitich sang hymns and responses in English and Slavonic. After the service, a funeral luncheon took place in the St. Barbara’s Cathedral basement. After the lunch, the eulogy was given by James’ daughter Diane. Also, Mr. Roman Lopushinsky, President of St. Barbara’s Cathedral and Secretary of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada, spoke on behalf of the church board and parishioners of the Cathedral, expressing his sympathy to the family and commending James’ activities for different church organizations, including his dedication and contributions to St. Barbara’s Cathedral and the parishes for many years.

James Shamchuk was well known and respected for his unique diligence, knowledge and responsibility, his openness and friendliness towards other people.

James Shamchuk was awarded The Certificate of Merit (Gramota) of Bishop Job, July 2017

James looked after the invitations for the newly appointed clergy, their extension visas, immigration papers, health and social insurances, and income taxes of the priests and their families and bishops who came from Ukraine and Russia and served here in Canada. He also looked after all the documentation of the priests’ residences and financial statements of the Patriarchal parishes as well.

He always performed any task or mission that was entrusted to him conscientiously, accurately, and on a highly professional level.

James helped us with the celebrations of anniversaries of our parishes by ordering special pens with inscriptions and other church souvenirs.

And he always was very concerned about our Patriarchal parishes and his work in the Church was always conducted in the spirit of love and sincerity.

This honest attitude gained him recognition and respect from both clergy and the members of all our parishes.

For his devoted service and dedication to St. Barbara’s Cathedral and the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada, James was awarded with different church awards.

I would like to take the opportunity and on behalf of all the clergy to pay a special tribute to James for his dedication to the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada throughout the years where he consistently showed kindness, support, huge assistance, and compassion to all the Bishops and priests who are now serving and have served before here in Canada.

James very seldom missed Church services, very often had confession and received Holy Communion and through all these actions he prepared himself worthily for eternal life with God.

We know that James was incurably sick for a very short time. But he accepted his life and fate with its consequences and endured his sickness with great patience, dignity and love, placing all his hope in God and relying on His holy will.

James will be missed by his family, friends, clergy and the parishioners of St. Barbara’s Cathedral and all the faithful of the Patriarchal Parishes very much. May he be remembered as he was and may we hold dear the memories that we have of him. He was truly a remarkable man.

On the behalf of His Grace Bishop Job, the clergy, all parishioners of our parishes, and myself, we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the Shamchuk family in the loss of their father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, and uncle James Shamchuk, who passed away on June 12, 2018.

In a blessed falling asleep, grant, O Lord, eternal rest unto Thy newly-departed servant James and make his memory to be eternal! Vichnaya Pamyat!

Submitted by Fr. Igor Kisil, Parish Priest