John Laurence SEYCHUK

1931 - 2021

JOHN LAURENCE SEYCHUK June 25, 1931 - December 9, 2021 With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to John Laurence Seychuk, who passed away the evening of Thursday, December 9, 2021. John leaves behind his loving wife, Vera; his son John Paul (Diane and children Dmitri and Liza) and daughter Carolyn Rose; his sister Mary Kokolski (her husband Peter, deceased, her son Gerald, deceased, Alan and Diane); his brother Orest (Marion); his stepchildren Darlene Kindiak, Christine Kindiak-Pare, deceased, Mitchell, deceased and their children (Chantal, Laska, Nicholas and Douglas), Raymond Kindiak, Michael Kindiak (Wendy and children Daniel and Natalie); and Gregory Kindiak (Connie and children Sophia and Laura). John was predeceased by his first wife Luba (Lovey), by his brother William and by his parents Paul and Olga. John was born on June 25, 1931, near Dauphin, Manitoba, where he attended grade school in a one-room school while working on the family farm through high school. Upon graduating from the University of Manitoba in Civil Engineering in 1954, he received the prestigious British Athlone Fellowship Scholarship to undertake post-graduate studies in England and was awarded the Diploma of Imperial College (DIC). Returning to Canada in 1956, John joined Geocon in Montreal and shortly thereafter, was transferred to Toronto. Several years later, he co-founded a new geotechnical firm (Golder Associates) specializing in geo-engineering and related consulting services. He held numerous senior positions including Principal, President and Chairman of the Board. He provided technical and business management expertise on a range of geotechnical engineering projects in all parts of the globe, including a 2-year residency in Australia with his young family in the early 1970's. Upon retirement in 1996, John continued an association with Golder as a senior consultant and also continued to provide his mentorship. Over the years, John was active in a number of engineering professional societies, as President of both the Engineering Institute of Canada (EIC) and the Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS) and as the North American Vice President of the International Society of Geotechnical Engineering (ISGE). He was a recipient of several engineering related fellowships, awards and medals. He was awarded the Canadian Pacific Engineering (EIC) Medal, John B. Stirling Medal, the prestigious Robert F. Leggett Medal and the Governor General's 125th Anniversary of Canada Commemorative Medal for Community Service. John was also active in the Ukrainian community and other organizations. He was a founding member of the St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church Parish in Toronto. He served as Chairman and President of the St. Demetrius Development Corporation spearheading the construction of this Ukrainian community's church, school, seniors' residence and nursing home. He was an avid supporter and sponsor of community youth softball teams and was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Sheptytsky Council. He also served as a panel member of the Toronto Police Services Tribunal. In his later years, John loved to get away to his hobby farm 'Stonehedge' near Markdale. He enjoyed getting on his tractor to work the land and continue to build his stone hedge. Big Bad John will be missed by many. As John would always sign off - 'Peace'. Resting at Newediuk Funeral Home, Kipling Chapel, 2058 Kipling Avenue, Toronto (north of Rexdale Boulevard), on Monday, December 13, 2021 from 5-8 p.m. Panakhyda, Monday at 7:30 p.m. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church, 135 La Rose Avenue, Toronto, on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 10 a.m. Interment at Glendale Memorial Gardens. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre in memory of John. For online condolences and funeral webcast please visit: newediukfuneralhome.com