Community mourns loss of Nation Builder Bishop Basil Filevich

The StarPhoenix
Published: Monday, April 24, 2006

Bishop Basil was born on January 13, 1918 in Stryj, Alberta to Omelian and Anna (Pelech) Filevich. He was one of 9 children.

His theological studies were completed at St. Joseph's Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta and he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on April 12, 1942 by Archbishop Basil Ladyka, OSBM in Mundare, Alberta. He served as the Parish Pastor from 1942-43 in Dauphin, MB, from 1943-48 in Kitchener, ON and from 1948-51 in St. Catherine's, ON.

In 1951, he was named Chancellor of the Eparchy of Toronto. From 1951-1978 he served as Rector of St. Josaphat's Cathedral in Toronto, ON during which time he built the new residence in 1953; established the first all-day parochial school in 1961 and renovated the church in 1964. In 1959 he was named Monsignor (Domestic Prelate) by His Holiness Pope John XXIII. In 1962 he was named Vicar-General of the Eparchy of Toronto. In 1972 he was named Mitred Archpriest by His Beatitude Cardinal Joseph Slipyj.

UCC-SPC Executive Director Danylo Puderak and 2003 Nation Builder Bishop Filevich at last year's Easter Breakfast with students of St. Nicholas Ukrainian-English Bilingual Program at Holy Family School.

From 1978 1983 he was Parish Pastor in Thunder Bay, ON. On December 20, 1983 he was named Bishop of Saskatoon by Pope John Paul II. On February 27, 1984 he was ordained to the Episcopacy at St. Michael's Cathedral in Toronto, ON.

On March 4, 1984 he was installed Bishop of the Eparchy of Saskatoon at St. George's Cathedral in Saskatoon, SK. serving as Eparch until 1996. During his time as Eparch, he introduced the Deaconate program in the eparchy.From 1996 until April 20, 2006 as Bishop Emeritus of the Eparchy of Saskatoon, Bishop Basil was actively involved with the Catholic Charismatic movement, he served as chaplain to St. Joseph's Home in 2002-2003, enjoyed his daily walks, a good game of golf, occasional travel holidays and keeping contact with his many friends and family.

Bishop Basil was predeceased by his parents, Omelian and Anna Filevich; brothers, Michael and Nick; and sisters, Mary Wicentowich, Cassie Boyko, Nellie Lekky, Annie Kropielnicki, and Jennie Wenger. He leaves behind his sister, Stella (Edward) Hrycyk; sister-in-law, Jean Wenger; nieces, Josephine (Stanley) Wenger, Sylvia Lekky, Gloria (Richard) Miller, Iris (Bill) Montgomery, Adele (Raymond) Rokos, Lorraine (Eugene) Mishio, Eileen (Joe) Bilyk, Mary Lou Coombes, Janette (Rick) Caravatio; and nephews, Lawrence (Evelyn) Filevich, John (Debra) Filevich, Raymond (Elizabeth) Kropielnicki, Raymond (Elizabeth) Kropielnicki, Robert (Michelle) Hrycyk and Ronald Hrycyk. He is survived by numerous great and great, great nieces and nephews in Canada and the USA, as well as extended family in Ukraine.

A Special Thank you to the Sisters of St. Joseph's, the staff at Royal University Hospital, and Dr. Tom Gabruch for the excellent care given these last few. weeks. The faithful are invited to spend prayer time during visitation from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at Park Funeral Chapel (311 Third Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK). Parastas/ Prayer services for Bishop Basil will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Thursday, April 27, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. Both services will be held from St. George's Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral at 214 Avenue M. South, Saskatoon. Interment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery, Ukrainian Catholic Clergy Section, Saskatoon. Arrangements entrusted to Greg Lalach of Park Funeral Chapel, 244-2103.

© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2006