Vernon Kulyk

Vernon P. Kulyk was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 26, 1951. He was adopted by Paul and Vicky Kulyk and raised in Tolstoi, Manitoba. He graduated from Shevchenko High School in Vita, Manitoba in 1969. 

He began working at the Winnipeg International Airport right after graduation, and in the same year he married the mother of his two children Sharon, he returned to Tolstoi as the Superintendent of Customs Operations. 

While he supported his family commuting from Steinbach to Tolstoi, he was also an active participant in the local government and school board. He was a school trustee on the Hanover School Board and this saw him to becoming the President of the Manitoba Association of School Trustees. This began his international career, as he was a speaker at National School Board Association events, in front of tens of thousands of attendees. 

Getting closer to retirement but with no plans for retiring, Verne had an opportunity to work for the United Nations as an expert in his field. This opportunity inspired his curiosity, and led to a list of countries visited that was upward of 120. 

He spoke a number languages fluently, including French and Greek, but could also take you for supper in several other European and Baltic countries including Ukraine where the Kulyk family was from. He along with his cousin Carol and her husband Ed visited their homestead in Ukraine and located the well that sustained the Kulyk family for generations. These were not the only genealogical treasures that he found, as he eagerly participated in researching and validating his and others family histories. 

Verne lived in Manhattan, New York City in the time of Y2K, and during those two years made incredible connections and enduring friendships. He thrived in the culture of this fantastic city, and while excited to move onto the next part of his career, he was saddened to leave Tudor City and the quirky neighbourhood he had quickly become a fixture in. 

Continuing in his field of expertise, he relocated to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The type of work he did as a manager, advisor, and liason there didn’t end there, as many speak of the contributions made to the company he kept, and to those for whom he was responsible. 

While Verne was fulfilling his dreams to explore our world, he was introduced to a special and magical place he began to call his home. It was a small town in Greece, with a pace he had grown to appreciate while seeking balance to the rest of it. Again, he was adopted into a community and a family who included him as a valuable and essential part of them, coming to them as he was whenever that may have been. 

His family from Canada and friends from everywhere would go to visit Verne in Greece and be able to get the best version of everything. He knew where that was, you just had to ask. He was able to create a safe haven for those he cared for, he was always prepared to provide some introspection over a coffee and the view of Mount Olympus. 

The community he had in Greece allowed for him to adopt a Shih Tzu puppy, which he had been waiting to do for years. In 2016, Ozzy came to live with Verne in Korinos, and became his very best friend in the whole world. If Ozzy wasn’t travelling with Verne, he was going to get a souvenir from wherever that was. When it was a regular day, that consisted of coffee and tomatoes on the balcony, Ozzy letting himself on walks or random gardening, and likely the resulting baths for his efforts. He was adorable, wily, and affectionate, he was a source of pure love and joy for Verne. 

Tragically, just two months before Verne passed, Ozzy was killed in an accident. Verne was devastated and heartbroken. This was not something anyone could have prepared for. 

While visiting cousins in Mississauga, Ontario, Verne became acutely ill, and was admitted to hospital. Despite his and the efforts of those who were caring for him, he was unable to recover, and he died November 29, 2024. He had been able to receive messaged of love and friendship up until the time of his death, and so in that way was surrounded by those he loved and who loved him. 

Verne was predeceased by his adoptive parents Vicky Majewski and Paul B. Kulyk, and by his natural parents Anne Malena and Cecil Stoner. He is survived by his grandchildren Paul’hiver LaFreniere, Charleaux LaFreniere, and Davinault LaFreniere, his son, Matthew Kulyk, his daughter, Noelle Kulyk LaFreniere and partner Tara Baird. He also leaves behind his family in Greece; Kostas, Maria, and Fotis, their parents Giannis and Morfo, Maria and Fotis, their parents Miltos and Sissy, Meni and family, their parents Stella and Agathon. His dear cousins and friends in Manitoba, Carol and Ed, Gail, and Andrea. His cousins in Ontario, Cathy and her son David, who were generous, compassionate, and provided Verne with comfort and love in his last days. 

He was an incredibly generous and caring man, and will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. 

A celebration of life will be held in Greece, and in Manitoba in the warmer months of 2025.