John Mytro Moskalyk, long time resident of Fort St John BC, passed away October 25, 2014, five days before his 90th birthday.
Born in Edmonton, Alberta on October 30, 1924, John joined the world into a family, which grew to have 6 brothers, 2 sisters and 2 half brothers. As a child, John and his family lived primarily in northern Alberta and had attended schools in Edmonton and Grimshaw while working on the family farm. In time, John moved in with his brother George, near Fairview, AB.

In 1943 John joined the Canadian army where he became a private of the Canadian Scottish Regiment, First Battalion Infantry. After his training, John was shipped overseas to England; he participated in the invasion of Juneau Beach on D-day in 1944. After the invasion, John and his regiment continued to march across France, Belgium, Holland, and 80 miles into Germany for a total of 4600 miles before the war ended. In October 1945, John returned home to Fairview, AB when he was formally discharged from the military.

John received many honorable medals for his service in the military with the most recent medal, The Rank of Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour awarded by the Republic of France. John’s family is very proud.

John married his wife Helen on August 29th, 1954 in Fairview and had one son, Victor Gary Moskalyk. After Victor was born, John and Helen moved to Fort St. John, BC, where John worked various jobs including in the oil patch; in his bother in-law Pappy’s gas station; as a mechanic for Kap’s Transport; and as a planerman for Swanson Lumber where he worked for 10 years before his retirement. John retired at the age of 60.

John spent his retired years living and enjoying family in Fort St John. With his loving wife of 60 years, John enjoyed gardening at home with Helen growing vegetables and planting over 200 potato hills every summer. John enjoyed camping and loved chopping wood. However, John’s favorite hobby was fishing, where he could be found spending many hours at the lake, even during the winter months, and into his final years.

John was a brother, husband, father and grandfather. He spoke few words but said so much with his character. To his family, he was unstoppable with perseverance and strength to provide and care. He leaves to mourn his wife, Helen. His son Victor (Pat). His grandchildren Ryan (Heaven), Bradley (Jessalyn), Kimberley (Calvin) and great-grandchildren Brooklyn, Taliah, Molly, Joshua, Jacob, and Johnathan.

John’s memorial was held on his birthday October 30, 2014 at the Fort St John Legion. Expressions of sympathy in Memory of John Moskalyk can be made by donation to the Fort St John Legion.