Jerry Kaniuk

We look back at the promise of a person’s life before they were changed by ill-health to understand and appreciate who we are missing so sadly today. Such is the case in the sudden loss of Jerry Kaniuk, who meant so much to others as a father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, animal lover, musician and all around the most unselfish and giving man; even under dire circumstances that would have made it easy to be otherwise.

Jerry was the youngest son of two immigrant Ukrainian parents, who came to Canada after the second world war in 1950. Life in the late 50’s and early 60’s was to say the least, difficult. Born in Leamington, Ontario on February 21, 1955, those early years were dominated by a hard life of farming crops like tomatoes and onions. But that hard life didn’t deter the family from knitting tight loving bonds and music pursuits, which served as the foundation for life yet to come.  In the early 60’s the family moved to Toronto to, in his dad’s words, “start to live a better life”… just as the family’s Ford Edsel broke down and became stranded on the 401.

Indeed, life did improve in those transition years. Although the family found Toronto to be a huge city to get accustomed to, Jerry found comfort in the fact that there was a large student body of Ukrainians at his high school, Parkdale Collegiate Institute. After graduating, he sought to pursue his musical interests. Along with his brother Dan, and a group of fellow musicians, the soul and R&B group “Body and Soul” was formed and enjoyed success touring throughout Ontario, the Maritimes, and parts of upper eastern U.S.A. Jerry’s talents shone brilliantly as a musician (guitar, violin), vocalist and front showman. He always had that certain charisma and showmanship that was so endearing to those who knew him. After a few years of touring, Jerry focused on his real love of music, the violin, and pursued it fervently, honing his skills as a violinist with highly regarded teachers and professors of music from the Conservatory of Music and University of Toronto. He would spend countless days and evenings practicing classical pieces, including Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”, which even today, is a family favourite, bringing back memories of Jerry’s dedication to the violin. He played with the Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra at the height of his classical music journey.

But Jerry was always looking for a new adventure or another challenge; never shying away from a new pursuit or from making a bold business decision. As a goldsmith and jeweller, his business travels took him abroad to various countries and ultimately to Nicaragua, where he started a new business venture and met his bride-to-be, Damaris. A few short years later he brought Damaris and her daughter Marisol, and their baby Ashley, his newfound family, to Canada. Jerry would often regale family and friends with his adventures and memories while living in Nicaragua during one of the most tumultuous periods in central America’s history. Some of which he fondly remembered as hauntingly simple yet beautiful, and others, most terrifying. And as that “circle of life” comes around yet again, he found himself as the head of a family, acclimatizing them to life in Canada, a country foreign to them, just as his parents did before him. Shortly after arriving in Canada, Jerry and Damaris were blessed with the arrival of their youngest daughter Tania. Throughout his life, in good and difficult times, Ashley and Tania remained steadfastly by his side; they were his “everything” in life. His “baby girls” love him deeply and hope with all their hearts that his spirit will sustain them for the rest of their days. The kindness and love he demonstrated and poured into them will carry on within them in everything they do and in their generations to follow. This is such a true testament to the kind of father he was, full of love, kindness, family values and giving unselfishly to others what he could.

Admittedly, things weren’t easy; many will say life never is, but throughout it all, Jerry was always focused on family, tradition, love, and caring. His daughters are a testament to that. He cherished family get-togethers, celebrating special occasions and holidays. It was all about sharing with family and friends, creating memories in fulfilling one’s life. He relished Ukrainian celebrations such as Easter by preparing traditional Easter baskets and having them blessed early Easter Sunday morning; only to rush to gather at his parent’s or sister Krys’ home to share in traditional Easter morning breakfast accompanied by the obligatory Canadian rye whiskey shots (a tradition started with his Dad). Celebrating Ukrainian Christmas on Orthodox Christmas Eve, with a twelve-course dinner filling the table, was a family gathering that he wouldn’t miss for the world. It was both a reverent and celebratory special evening.

Throughout his later adult years, Jerry was stricken with the fate of poor health. Every challenge he so bravely overcame, with new hope for the future, as he rose towards that horizon, he would once again be confronted with another debilitating, often life-threatening, condition. Ultimately, he succumbed to the ravages of those compounded illnesses and complications from renal failure and diabetes.

We will miss his “joie de vivre”, his generous and bigger-than-life heart, his love of music, but mostly his love of family and all living creatures on this earth. If there is one regret, it is that his grandson Bennett, by his daughter Ashley, will never have known or remember his beloved “Gigi”.

We will sorely miss you the rest of our collective days Jerry but will keep you close in our hearts and at our family tables forever.

Those wishing to donate in memory of Jerry are asked to consider a charity close to his heart, The Kidney Foundation or the London Humane Society.