RUSSELL JOHN KAPTY 1938 - 2015 Peacefully, after a brief illness, Russell passed away on Monday, February 9, 2015 at St. Boniface Hospital. Left to cherish his memory his loving wife of 48 years, Judy; his children, Theodore, Michael (Rose) and Uliana (Gord); his grandchildren, Lukian, Markian and Zenovia; his niece Darusia Kozelko (John) and family, as well as numerous nieces and nephews in Ukraine. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Josephine; stepmother, Anna; brother and sister-in-law, Vladimir and Lesia, and numerous relatives in Ukraine. Born and educated in St. Boniface, he received his Drafting Technician certificate and worked his entire career for the Provincial Government in two different departments. As a prominent member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Community in Winnipeg, Russell was very active in many organizations, and often served on Executive Committees and Boards of Directors, and in many cases he served as President or Chair. The groups he was involved in over the years included O. Koshetz Choir, CYMK, Veselka Ukrainian Orthodox Summer Camp, Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Group, UNF St. Boniface, St. Andrew's College, St. Mary the Protectress Brotherhood, Sons of Ukrainian Pioneers, to name a few. For 25 years, he conducted the church choir at St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. Russell was very passionate about music and as many can attest, he loved to share the beauty of music with anyone who was willing to listen. He was a singer and a choral conductor and usually carried a pitch-pipe in his breast pocket. You never know when he needed to give tone to a room full of people to lead in song. Always the life of the party, Russell and his wife Judy loved to entertain, and even in their many trips all over the world with O. Koshetz Choir, one could always find their room as it was full of people singing and eating. Russell was known for his jokes and his amazing sense of humour which is carried on in his children and grandchildren. Russell was always the official unofficial photographer for any event he ever attended, and could always be seen taking pictures. Prayers will be sung 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 13 (tonight) and Funeral Service will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 14 at St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 820 Burrows Avenue, with Very Rev. Fr. Alexander Harkavyi officiating. Interment will follow at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Roman Solomon, John Kozelko, Gord McClure, Scott Armstrong, Michael Haack and Boris Demchenko. Andrew Gerus will be honorary pallbearer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Russell's name to P. Macenko Chair of Ukrainian Church Music, St. Andrew's College, 29 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2M7 or Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Mary the Protectress, 820 Burrows Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2X 0R3. The family wishes to thank Dr. George Balko and the staff at St. Boniface Hospital for all of their kindness, compassion and support. VICHNAYA PAMYAT MEMORY ETERNAL KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-956-2193