The story of one family

Datsiv & Krywulak Family Tree

This Liriodendron tulip tree is a living monument to the Ukrainian families who were forced to emigrate from Ukraine to Canada during the first wave of emigration a century ago. Today, in times of war, Ukrainians are once again forced to leave their homeland.

This tree symbolizes the indomitable spirit and endurance of those who have experienced such profound changes and ruptures in every generation.

They call me “kru-kru-kru.
I will die in a foreign land,
I will fly across the sea,
I'll wipe off my wings

Do you hear me, my brother?
(Bohdan Lepkyi)

The song "Cranes (Do you hear, my brother..)"

“The idea of planting a memorial family tree arose while reflecting on the fate of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who were forced to emigrate from Ukraine more than a hundred years ago and those who are now forced to leave their homes.

This tree was planted in honor of our relative, Leo Krywulak, who loved Ukraine very much and ended his life thousands of kilometers away from his native land in Canada, which became his second home, but not his homeland.”

“Emigration and the forced severance of family ties is one of the most difficult and painful aspects of Ukraine, and now we are experiencing this trauma again because of the war. We would like to share this family story, which unites a large number of Ukrainians around the world, so that everyone can stop for a moment, read it and think about it. For some, this story will be very familiar, others may recognize the life of their family or extended family, and others may want to find their roots in the archives and get to know their family tree better”.

Oleksii Datsiv, the author of the idea

The words of Leo's eldest son "Father never considered Canada his Motherland" are impressive. A person who was born in Canada, lived all his years there and only visited Ukraine for the first time at the age of 70, loved it so much.
Leo spoke the Ukrainian language very well, loved to sing, and playing the bandura simply fascinated him.

A story of one man

Leo Krywulak was born on June 4, 1939, on a farm near Ituna, Saskatchewan, to Ukrainian parents. Leo's parents emigrated to Canada as children with their parents in the early 20th century. Leo was born into a large family with 10 brothers and sisters.

Leo lived a life of dignity. His kindness, love for life and others, strong character, positive thinking and belief in goodness did not leave people who met him indifferent. Leo left a good memory in the hearts of those who knew him. Leo was childlike and sincerely open to the world, to people, giving warm words and a sunny smile that never left his lips until his last days.

Family was always a priority for Leo. With his beloved wife Joyce, who also has Ukrainian roots, they were happily married for 58 years, raised four wonderful sons, and the Lord also blessed them with seven grandchildren.

Since childhood and throughout his life, Leo has had a special place in his heart for Ukraine and everything related to it. As a child, he learned Ukrainian from his parents and grandparents. He adopted the Ukrainian traditions that the family followed after immigrating to Canada. Leo spoke Ukrainian fluently, sang Ukrainian songs, and was fond of playing bandura. He was always proud of his Ukrainian heritage and dreamed of visiting Ukraine. This dream came true only in 2011, when Leo and his wife Joyce came to Ukraine for the first time. He was inspired and enjoyed every day of his stay in Ukraine, as if Ukraine he had only heard about through the stories of his parents and relatives, the image of which he had drawn in his mind from the lines of Ukrainian songs, had suddenly come alive for him - the Carpathian Mountains, the Dnipro River, the wheat fields, and the Ukrainians around him.

The words of Leo's eldest son, “My father never considered Canada his homeland,” are striking. A man who was born in Canada, lived all his life there, and only visited Ukraine for the first time at the age of 70, loved it so much.

Leo was constantly interested in and worried about the fate of Ukraine, was very worried about the outbreak of a full-scale war in Ukraine, and liked to repeat: “Now the whole world has learned how strong Ukrainians are, this is the strongest nation whose dignity and will are unbreakable.”

Leo's heart was filled not only with great love for Ukraine, but also with longing and regret at being separated from it. We believe that this tulip tree, which is native to North America, will become a symbolic memorial to Leo in the city of Lviv, where he loved to visit, and then for a long, long time to remember every day of his stay here with warmth, to savor the impressions that were deposited deep in his heart, as if to draw energy and strength from his memories for life, for the realization of another dream - to come to Ukraine again.

Despite his age, Leo planned to visit Ukraine many more times, because he felt special here - in his homeland! Leo's home in Canada always had a Ukrainian flag, embroidered towels, a bandura, and a portrait of Taras Shevchenko. Leo died at the age of 85, surrounded by his loving family. His wish to visit Ukraine again never came true.

The good memory of Leo will always be in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Now, when his children and grandchildren visit Ukraine, they will be able to come to the tree whose greenery and blooms will symbolize the immortal memory of Leo, as well as those who for various reasons have parted ways with Ukraine, forever filling their hearts with longing for their native land.

Leo Krywulak in the Regina Leader Post