John Zinchuk

I am sorry for the families loss. Would have liked to get to know John before he passed away!

The memory of our loved ones does not die. They live forever in the hearts of the living

The memory of our loved ones does not die. They live forever in the hearts of the living.

5 years went by like the blink of an eye!
It is never "Goodbye" It is see you later.
The joy will be great when we'll meet again.
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With great sadness I take the news that such a wonderful gentleman as "Zinch" has passed away. My heart is broken. I lived with John for 2 years in the early 1990's as his student-tenant and them became his friend... a priceless gift to me. He adopted a big brother role on my studies, and with me being so far from home John wanted me to feel like his home was mine (especially his "football in the living room" parties, career advice, letting my Mother stay over for 2 weeks to visit me). John treated me from day 1 as he did everybody: with kindness, warmth, and generosity. He taught me lessons I have taken with with me till this day and will keep forever: "love life, live life, thank God and Jesus for everything, and never take a single day for granted." John's charisma, infectious love for life, generosity, and decency a a human being will never leave me or the many people whose lives he changed and filled with joy.

Love and miss you forever dear "Megoomba" (brother). May you be in Jesus' loving arms in peace and live forever with our Saviour in Paradise.

Our prayers and thoughts are with you on the loss of your beloved John.I remember the first time John came out to his first Ukrainian Bandurist Practise in Detroit and at the end of the proba we all knew that this was a superb talent and who will live in the memory of not only those of us that knew him well but for the years to come in the recordings he made.We in Toronto got to know him more so than the other filias as he would stay with our son Andrij and then later with us at our place, his humility and desire to assist was evident in the 2 Christmas's in 2007 and 2008 when he flew to Toronto to help us out in out Carol singing endeavors to raise funds for the Kapella.May he rest in peace and may his memory be eternal.Vichnay Pamat

Dear Zinchuk Family and Friends:

It was an honour and priveledge to have known Ivan over the years since we first met when I moved to Edmonton in 1976.

He was like a brother to me and most of all a best friend.

Over the years we always kept in touch in one way or another -and it was a pleasure sharing our escapades of life.

Ivan was a truely unique and beautiful gentleman - one whom loved his Ukrainian heritage - as may be witnessed by his strong religious belief, his masterful talent as a Ukrainian dancer and a soulful and colourful singer.

Ivan had a charming personality an infectious laugh, and a genuine love for living in the moment - he always had an idea to do activities that were both rewarding and stimulating.

You will be dearly missed by all whom you have touched with your "ZINCH" magic.

We honour your life that you shared with us and we will always remember you for your big spirit, big love and genorous and compassionate heart.

I know that you and my brother Andriy -whom passed away in June 2009- will be singing and dancing Kolomeyka's together awaiting us with 100 gram, Nazdorovia's and Daye Boza's as you greet us at our next port-of-call!

Your spirit will always have a special home, close to the hearth in my heart.

Watch over us our new Guardian Angel!

Sincerely - your "BRO"

Danylo Myhal
Thunder Bay, ON

May GOD keep you forever!

We rejoice in that you have met your maker! Jesus will be your comfort!

Please pray for us John!

3EHOH Dozia and Viktoria Krislaty

Dear Zinchuk family,

Not sure what to say, so I will leave you with an Irish prayer:

'When we lose someone we love it seems that time stands still. What moves through us is a silence... a quiet sadness... A longing for one more day... one more word... one more touch... We may not understand why John left this earth so soon, or why John left before you were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, you begin to remember not just that John passed, but that he lived. And that his life gave you memories too beautiful to forget. You will see him again some day, in a heavenly place where there is no parting. A place where there are no words that mean good-bye.'

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dear Susan, Orest and Zinchuk family

Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss. John was a stalwart member of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus. His brothers in Kapellia who were privaledged to sing with him will never forget him...may he rest forever in the loving embrace of our Lord. Vichna jomu pam'yat'.

Ihor and Lynn Stasiuk

Dear Zinchuk family -

We pass along our heartfelt condolences to the family in this time of sorrow and loss. I was honored to be his conductor and awed by his talent, love of the group, sacrifice, and, most of all, his humility. The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus not only lost one of the greatest voices in its history, it feels a deep emptiness with the loss of an individual who held the brotherhood, the artistic level of the ensemble, and the needs of the Kapelia above his own individuality.

As we mourn, we should not forget to cherish his memory and remember that genuine infectious smile. I am sure that he is leading our dearly departed kapeliany in heaven with a moving Oy, hylia, hylia.

Natalia and I pass our sympathy to Ivan's family, friends, and singing mates in North America. We pray that his soul is resting where there is no pain, no suffering, nor sorrow.

Vichnaya pamyat dorohiy Ivane!

Dearest Olga, my beloved cousins Andy and Joanie, Susan, Orest, Nadia and families;

We are deeply saddened over John's passing. We will remember him as having a great faith in God, possessing great talents and living for the moment. John is an unforgettable character that imprinted on the many lives he touched. You must be so proud of his legacy. He was an exceptional son, brother, uncle, friend, mentor and teacher. We will carry our fond memories of John deep within our hearts until we meet again.

Matthew 25:23

John, well done good and faithful servant. Well done~~~

Love and light in Jesus Christ,

Vivian Drew, Jim & Jodie Drew, Lance & Kathy (Drew) Coulombe & families

Dear Orest and Zinchuk Family

My deepest sympathy to you and your family at this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

We want to express our deepest condolenses to John's loved ones. He was a warm and kind man. He shared his talent and the love of the Ukrainian song through the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus. Our family was privledged to know him and my son and I were honored to share the stage with him. John humorously refered to us as Papa, Mama and Baby Bear. Vichnaya Pamyat.

Dear Susan ,Orest & Family

My deepest and heartfelt sympathy goes to you at this very sad time of loss.

John's contagious smile, beautiful voice and vibrant personality has and will forever be remembered.

I will cherish the memories shared in Shumka. John was an energetic and talented presence on the Shumka stage. On tours, he was the first to bring the company into song and celebrate the moment. John will truly be missed.

May peace be with you and may John's memory be eternal.

Kathleen Todoruk

Pleasse accept our deepest condolences and apologies for not being able to get to Edmonton at this difficult time. Zinch's passing is not just a familial loss, but of an entire community. I know him as a leading member and soloist of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus. He stood almost directly behind me for many years and I shall miss him terribly. Always a broad, beaming smile and there wasn't anything much better than a good joke, some smooth scotch and a leisurly smoke. "chuyesh brate miy...tovaryshu"
Vichnaya Pamyat!

Auntie Olga,Susan,Andy,Orest,Nadia and families,

Our Love and thoughts are with all of you today and in the coming days. I hope the Love and Support from family and friends will help you get through this difficult time. John will be sadly missed, but he will always be lovingly remembered in our hearts.

Thank you does not really express my gratitude to the Zinchuk Family for allowing me to spend some quality time with them and John on the day of his passing. If there is solace in what we say then I offer this that I wrote during my time of reflection. "So sudden has the hourglass of your life been turned. We stand with you feeling helpless as we watched the sands of your life slip quickly through our grasp. Do not despair my friend. Take comfort Zinch in knowing that each precious grain of your sand we did catch will be embraced and nurtured with love. What you have given to each of us touched by your life will transform into a priceless pearl, each unique to the bearer. These unique and timeless "Pearls" you have bestowed upon each of us are treasured gifts we can hold and take comfort in. Thank you for these gifts."

Dear Mrs. Zinchuk & Family,

Please accept our deepest sympathies with the loss of your son. May God bless you all during this difficult time. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. I enjoyed John's friendship when I toured with Shumka in the 1980's as a musician. He always had a smile on his face and lived life to the fullest. He will be missed by many.

Please accept our condolences on John's passing. As the case with many, I met John as a dancer with Shumka and worked with him on various projects over a number of years. He was a passionate voice and took on challenges with great motivation. He will remain forever in our memories.

I send my deepest sympathies and my sincerest hope for peace in all of your hearts. I knew John through Shumka, and was proud to dance with him on stage, sing with him afterwards, and work with him on various committees through the years. We were of "different generations" in Shumka, but John had an ability to make me feel that what I had to say mattered even if I was "the young one" in the room. I hazard a guess he was like that in all aspects of his life - encouraging, friendly and strong. And always full of life, always with a smile - I'm sure he's found a choir of angels to sing with already. God bless John, and God bless you all.

My deepest condolences to the Zinchuk Family, I met John while we were both attending NAIT, as "mature" students. We worked together on many class projects and I have a lot of fond memories of John. I was thrilled when he invited me to watch him perform with Shumka at the Jubilee and was proud to call him my friend.

I was saddened to learn of John's death. My best memory is when we sang together in the Ukrainian Male Chorus. While on tour in Missoula, Montana, far closer to a sunrise than the sunset, John wore out a street busker singing old Dylan and Beatles tunes, filling in the lyrics when the busker's memory failed, plying the man with dollar bills so the music never stopped playing and when the busker was finally exhausted, John wanting to take over his guitar and keep the music going. Always a smile, easy to laugh and living life well. My sincere sympathies to all because we all know what we've lost.

I will always remember John as a sincere, friendly and happy person who always had a smile for everyone he met. God Bless.

Dear Olga and Family,
I was so sorry to hear the passing of John. I have many fond memories of John and and shall always treasure our friendship. I send my deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers at this time of sadness and sorrow. May the fond memories of his life provide comfort in the days ahead.
I am thinking of all of you.
Eternal Memories, (Vichnaya Pamyat).