January 16, 1921 – December 23, 2013

Michael was born in Zalaniw, Ukraine. His early life was shaped by tremendous personal hardship and geopolitical tumult, having started from the humblest of beginnings and having to survive under both Stalin and Hitler.

Education was essential to Michael. Imagine a cold, dark and snowy Ukrainian winter morning. A lone young village boy, wearing shoddy shoes, walks to school six kilometers away. He arrives at 3am because he does not have a clock at home.  Overcoming all challenges Michael eventually graduated with a Forestry Degree from the University of Freiburg in Germany.

Immigrating to Canada in 1949 Michael earned his Canadian Forestry Degree from the University of Toronto. In Toronto he met his beloved wife Olga. Coming to Victoria in 1952 he worked in the Survey Division of the BC Forest Service and with the City of Victoria as Boulevard Supervisor. In addition to his regular job, Michael and family established an 85 hive apiary producing honey under the “Island’s Finest” brand. He owned, managed and maintained several of rental real estate properties.

Michael was deeply attached to nature. He enjoyed collecting books, music and local art. When possible he would attend art galleries, live stage and musical performances, auctions and flea markets. He read widely and experienced music with his heart. Michael had a genuine zest for life and somehow found time to experience it fully and on his own terms. He was delighted to meet and talk with people of all ages and callings. His greatest source of pride and pleasure, however, was his family. With love we lived together.

Michael never forgot his Ukrainian roots even as he cherished Canada for its freedom and justice.

Predeceased by his son Dennis in 1976, Michael is survived by his wife of 62 years Olga; his children Jerome and wife Kannika, and Peter (Jackie); his grandchildren Nick (Stephanie), Natalie and Tony.

Our family’s indebtedness to all Beacon Community Workers including Guido, Gaspar, Bill, Benoit, Oliver, Pip and Binder; Drs. Luckhurst, Zhang, Rohan, Leroy, Erasmus and McQueen; Community Health Nurse Andrea Hofmeyer; Pharmacist Lesley Blackman; Terence Sellen and the many others who made it possible for Michael to comfortably live and peacefully die at home.

PRAYERS will be offered on Thursday January 2, 2014 at 7:00pm at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Nicholas The Wonderworker, Cook and Caledonia. MASS will be celebrated in the Church on Friday January 3, 2014 at 11:00am with the Reverend Theodosius Machinski Celebrant. A reception to follow in the church hall. Burial at the Royal Oak Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, your prayers would be most appreciated.

Condolences for the family may be offered to the family below.

McCall bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com

  • Bruce McCowan

    Mike took me under his wing and treated me as a friend and not as a labourer right from the first day on the crew. He treated others likewise. Prior to his coming to the City of Victoria workers ate their lunches outside on the streets without any place to cleanup or get out of the weather. Mike took time to personally pick up two mowing crews ( of three or four people per crew) each and every work day and drive them back to Beacon Hill Park where they could not only eat in a heated lunchroom, but also have an opportunity to change out of wet clothing as necessary. In Mike’s life as a supervisor, I was able to see the compassion of Christ shine through him into the lives of others. His conduct certainly helped me try to be more like him.

  • Ilnytzky family

    We will remember Mikes twinkle in his eye, the smile on his face and the many kindnesses he showed our family over the years.

  • Paula Barber

    Dear Mrs. Zachary, Peter and family:

    Thank you Peter for letting me know about your dad. He was quite the charming man and very entertaining. I am sorry for your family’s loss. I had only met him a few times, up in Victoria, and in Hawaii, but his lively personality will always be a fond memory in my mind. He lived a nice full, never dull, life. You are blessed to have had him with you for such a long time. I’m sure he’s dancing and smiling up in heaven. My thoughts and prayers for comfort, peace and love are with you and your family.

    Take care and keep well.

    Your friend from California, Paula B.

  • Oleksandr Pekaryk

    Dear Olga, Peter, unfortunately, I did not know Michael for a long time. But those few meetings with him made me sure that I met great Person, great Father and great Ukrainian in Canada. His attitude, his kindness and his attention were so sincere and helpful. I will never forget Michael.

  • John Burkard

    Olga, Jerome and Peter;

    I will miss Mike.

    Growing up with the Zachary family in my younger years still brings many happy thoughts of playing with Jerome in the back yard pretending to hunt bears and cougars with our home made bows and arrows.
    Mike, thank you for always keeping an eye on us to make sure we were not doing anything to too silly or getting hurt!

    I will miss Mike as I miss those younger years long ago.

    Always your friend,
    John

  • Tove Barlow

    Dear Olga & family,

    My heartfelt condolences on the loss of your wonderful husband & Father.
    He was a gentleman of the old school, and he had a great love for people.
    He did have a good long life, and left you with so many wonderful memories, as well as his good traits.
    Sincerely,
    Tove.

  • Alan Smith

    As a fellow worker with Mike, I have o a lot of fond memories, too many to recount in this way. He is remembered!

  • Doug Herbert Jr

    Dearest Olga, Peter and Family

    I think of times spent with Olga, Michael and Peter and I smile. I remember the manner in which Mike laughed – it was a fullbodied laugh and it was contagious. Mike liked to laugh. And so does Olga and sometimes she would dance with me as well as laugh. Olga is extremely special !
    Mike and Olga have experienced such a unique and challenging life together. I treasured the times that they would share parts of that remarkable, fascinating life experience with me. An extraordinary life lived in extraordinary ways!
    Then there was the food. Ahhh the food. The generosity of the hospitality knew no bounds and nor did my stomach. A feast magically appearing every time. We all ate well while Olga served and met everyones needs especially Michaels. Did I mention that Olga is extremely special?
    And she chose a special man to make a special family. Mike was hard working to the extreme and he was intelligent – very intelligent. A man of many talents and interests but everybody that knew Mike knows that.
    And as obviously as they overcame much in their early lives they did so later in life as well. I am sorry for the loss and grief and sadness they had to bare with the untimely death of their son Dennis. In the same way I am sorry that the Zachary must experience deep grief once again.
    Memories, there are lots of them. I remember Mike always teasing Peter about not being married and he would tease me in the same way and then just shake his head at us in incomprehensible disbelief. Family was everything to Mike. Family is everything to Olga. The complete love and devotion that Olga and Peter showed towards Mike I think is best exemplified by the manner in which they took care of Mike right up to the end of his physical life.
    The Zachary’s are an exceptional family and Mike was an exceptional man (and I truly mean that). When I think of Michael I smile.
    God Bless you Michael. You will be missed, and remembered.

  • Melanie Wilcox

    Dear Teta Olya, Peter, Jerome and family:

    On behalf of myself and my husband, Dale, we would like to pass on our sincere condolences and would like you all to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Although we only had a few opportunities over the years to spend time in Victoria, each visit was full of fond of memories. Uncle Michael matained an incredibly positive attitude despite his hardships earlier in life. He was always smiling and would light up any room he was in.

    During our last visit to Victoria when I was working in California, I spoke to him about a very important career decision ahead of me. At the time I was feeling discouraged and felt like giving up. Michael took the time to listen and helped me approach my situation with a different attitude. He gave me the courage to move forward in a more positive direction. Although it was a small gesture on his part, it meant a great deal to me in the end and it showed me how great his love was for his extended family.

    Uncle Michael was a very wise man and extremely dedicated to his immediate family. He was proud of his achievements which, given his humble beginnings, are truly remarkable and inspiring. Although he is no longer with us here physically, the memories we have of him will live on for generations.

    Vichnaya Pamyat.

    Melania and Dale Wilcox

  • Marlene Lavallee

    What a lovely man, to have walked on this earth and enriched the lives of so many relatives, neighbours, visitors, and strangers. You were not a stranger to Michael for any more than a minute. He had such a huge heart. And such intelligence to go with it. But always humble, generous, grateful. Our lives were better for having known him, whether briefly or for a lifetime.

  • Rex Craig

    I have been privileged to know Mr. Zachary and family for many years now and fondly recall chats and dinner at Somass. Always ” Mr. Zachary” to us despite his insistence that it he be called Mike. He invariably had a knowing gleam in his eyes and an irrepressible grin. Truly a great patriarch and those of us who met Mr. Zachary through Peter became welcomed guests and were made to feel part of the family.

  • Oksana Shabotynsky

    Dearest Aunt Olga, Peter, Jackie, Jeremy, Kannika, Nick, Natalie and Tony
    Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Michael Zachary. Uncle Michael was a happy and very sociable man, always ready wth a genuine smile, welcoming heart and open arms. He wanted everyone to share in the wonderful life which he enjoyed in Victoria. Each time I visited he tried to convince me to move to Victoria because as he proclaimed “the air is cleaner and you will live longer!”
    MIchael had so many interests and passions and experienced great joy in hunting for treasures. He was very proud of his collection of Canadian art and rare books and was happy t that he could pass on something of value to his sons Peter and Jeremy, and to his grandchildren.
    In spite of his success, Michael was a humble man, who knew that life ‘s greatest wealth lies not in owning fashionable clothes and fancy cars but in having a family to love. During my last visit he confided ” I am a very lucky man indeed because I have the best wife in the world, Olga, who I love dearly!”
    I was privileged to have known Michael and to have been touched by his love.
    Oksana Shabotynsky (Toronto).

  • The Falzon

    Dear Olga, Jerome, Peter and family:

    We want to let you know how sorry we are for your loss. Mike was a wonderful man and he was very fortunate to have a very close and loving family.

    When we think of Mike, we think of a man who was both intensely kind, independent and devoted. He made a life worthy of his gifts and worthy of his love for all of you. Even while giving you all room to be who you are, Mike was a rock, an anchor. The anchor survives his mortal life.

    It is well to celebrate his life, but it is also right to grieve his passing. We do both with you.

    Respectfully,

    The Falzon family

  • Barry and Mary Beardsmore

    Mary and I had the good fortune of being Michael and Olga’s neighbours for over thirty-five years. During that time, they have shown us many, many kindnesses, sometimes in the form of beautiful Ukrainian food in their home, at other times by simply being there to advise us on various matters when we called on them to seek it.
    Michael experienced many hardships during his early years but these, instead of making him angry and cynical, gave him the wisdom to appreciate fully the good times when they finally arrived: life with a wonderful, caring wife, the love of his children, and the freedom to pursue his favourite hobbies.
    Mary and I never saw Michael angry or heard him raise his voice. He would occasionally complain to us about something that had annoyed him. But always when we parted, he was smiling once again. It is his warm smile that we shall remember.

  • Rhys Smallwood

    As a childhood friend of Peter’s, our nickname for his Dad was “Mr. Big”. As i grew older, I linked this to his character, his vitality and passion in everyday life. Whether instructing us on how to best cook a steak (with butter over high heat!), or how to choose the perfect fruit, it was always interesting and lively. Whenever one came to over to visit Peter at their house on Somass, Michael was always incredibly warm and welcoming, and genuinely interested to know how you were doing in your life. Memories of Olga cooking up something in the kitchen, while Michael quizzed/challenged you in various ways, or shared an interesting story, in the living room. Other strong impressions were of someone always on the go, and when at rest I expected he really wasn’t as most likely devouring the huge quantities of books that filled their study at home. I remember his (and Olga’s) generosity in many ways, either when visiting their home, or having me stay at their place in Hawaii. I am left with many fond memories.

  • Scott McDonald

    He was a great guy who always had an encouraging word for us at our games. Munching on sunflower seeds and pacing the sidelines, you could see he was having just as much fun as we were, although he sometimes got a little more excited than we did. He was a welcome part of our team. We must also think of that incredible personal journey that took him from Ukraine to Somass Drive.

  • Donna (nee Sztohrynec), David, Nicholas, Tim, Aidan and Jean Monis in Toronto

    Dearest Teta Olya, Peter and Jackie, Jerome ,Kannika and Nicholas, Tony and Natalie,

    Ten years ago,we had the opportunity to spend one glorious week with Uncle Michael and Teta Olya.Hotel Somass Drive never shut down.Teta cooking and baking 24/7 and Michael sharing with us all the wonderful sights to see in Victoria.Stories of hunting moose and taking care of the bees.One of my many fond childhood memories include opening huge boxes containing their delicious honey(with the Ukrainian family coat of arms stamped on the lid!)Their hospitality extended to myself,my husband and our 4 children.How we spoke of days gone by and our plans for the future..
    David and I took the opportunity this past year to again visit Michael and Olya..We witnessed love at work.How tenderly and patiently both Peter and Teta took care of Michael.We managed to make Michael smile that famous ear to ear smile(or smirk..who knew?)
    Remember the times that you all had with Michael and how much he appreciated everything you did.
    You are in our thoughts always-The Monis’

  • Joe Poulton

    I recall in July of 1982, Mike asked me to do some painting at Rockland….On the first day of painting I learnt a valuable lesson….Mike, dressed in old Overalls and rubber boots worked quietly out front in the parking area pulling weeds and doing a general cleanup; when a stranger dressed in a Suit & Tie drove up and parked at the top of the parking area….When he got out of his car he stood there for about 15 minutes and then came up to me and gave me his Business Card for me to give to Mike when I saw him….I could tell that the fellow was a little upset, as he believed he had been stood up by the owner of the property on Rockland…..As he gave me his Business Card, I glanced over to Mike who was on his knees pulling weeds, I almost said to the fellow; Mike is right there behind you, but I didn’t assuming that Mike knew he was there….The fellow got back in his car and drove off….A few minutes passed and I had finished the Trim I was painting….I went up to Mike and gave him the man’s Business Card…unamused, Mike put it in his pocket and said thank-you….I went back painting and began thinking about the situation I had just witnessed…..Here was this fellow, who sold Windows who believed that the man on his knees pulling weeds was just some hired help, wasn’t worth approaching to see if he was indeed Mike Zachary…..I had learn t a valuable lesson….”never assume anything without due diligence”…From then on, every time I went to do an estimate for painting, if there was someone working on the property, I always treated them with the same respect I would the owner of the property, as the fellow working in Overalls & Rubber Boots just might be the owner……

    Mike Zachary was a fine fellow who left his mark….

  • Terence Sellen

    Michael Zachary, a man I met only a few times, was always gracious, warm, and caring. More generous then you would think he should have been and along with Olga – full of hospitality and accepting. I am a friend of Peter and this alone made me his friend. I have been with Peter in Ukraine several times and I can see the finest of Ukrainian character in Michael shining through in his gentle, good humour and inner strength, someone who always seemed to care more for others than himself. He has gone on before us to rest and be refreshed and my thoughts and prayers are with the wonderful family he has left temporarily behind.

  • Bohdan,Min,NIcky and Leo Sztohrynec,Toronto

    Dear Aunt Olga,Peter,Jackie,Jerome and Kannika,Nick,Natalie and Tony.

    Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the passing of your husband,father,grandfather,Michael Zachary.

    An open,honest and thoughtfull man,Uncle Michael shared his home with our family on our many visits to Victoria and it is with great sadness that we mark your loss.
    Throughout all our visits there has long hung a simple yet wonderfull clock on his kitchen wall that rings out the passing hours in birdsongs.How it came to be there tells us much about Uncle Michael and reveals a little something about all of us.
    Once,as he often did on his daily walks along the paths and beaches of Oak Bay,he met and befriended an American couple visiting Victoria for the first time.As was his custom,he invited these people that he had never met before,into his home and shared his hospitality with them.Greatly moved,on their return to the U.S. they sent the clock as a reminder of how this total stranger had so touched their hearts.
    Far away in Toronto,we could only visit on occasion,but will always treasure Uncle Michaels warm welcome on our arrival and soon after the inevitable question,” Bohdan,so when are you moving to Victoria?”
    Dear,dear, Aunt Olga,no doubt I will hear again his voice booming out loud as it did not so long ago,welcoming us into his home,but this time asking,” Bohdan,so when are you moving to Heaven?”

  • Karen Lightbody

    Was there ever a man more excited or enthused about what life offered or put in front of him than Mike? Mike always had time to care. His stories and actions would make your spirrits fly. His advice wonderfully fun and vivid. If you needed a smile, MIke would give you cause for one. We need more men like Mike and the world will have a huge hole to fill with him gone, but the heavens will be more joyful and entertaining. From now on, the wind will be a kind nudge reminding me to do my part. The sun, an idea to try something new. The rain will try to fill the emptiness left from his leaving, but we will know he is dancing and singing in heaven more full of life than any of us here on earth. God bless you Mike and you are truly missed.

  • Frank Woods

    my sincere condolences to the Zachary family..I have known the family for over 40 years and they are very special to me…Mr. Zachary was a great man and I have fond memories of him…he is now in the presence of our Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ..til we meet again…God bless the Zachary family at this difficult time..

  • Kjeld Brodsgaard

    My condolences to all of the Zachary family on the passing of Michael. I have wonderful memories of him from soccer practices and games. He was an incredible enthusiastic supporter of Peter’s team and his love for sunflowers was evident at games. If the game got to intense, we quickly learned to keep a bit of a distance as he became equally excited and the spent seeds would fly in all directions. I will also remember his kindness to all around him.

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