Woven Branches

Dmytro Fodchuk was born on 7 November 1885 at Tulova, Ukraine.¹

Dmytro's parents left for Canada in 1908, but Dmytro had to remain behind in Ukraine to serve in the Austrian army. He spent three years in Vienna as part of the Emperor's bodyguard.¹

In 1911 Dmytro sailed for Canada from Hamburg, Germany, on the S.S. Argentina and landed in New York. He travelled from there by rail to Edmonton to join his parents and younger brothers.¹

Dmytro married Helen Kostash, daughter of Fedor Kostaszczuk and Anna Zwarych, on 12 July 1913 at St. Peter's and St. Paul's Greek Catholic Church, Vegreville, Alberta.¹

It was difficult for Dmytro to find work in the Edmonton, so in 1914 they moved to a homestead in the Athabaska area. In 1916 they moved back to Vegreville and took over a farm beside the Kostash homestead.¹

Helen and Dmytro were very spiritual and were quite involved in the Kolomea-Sich Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Helen was also an active member of the Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada.

The Fodchuks lived on the farm for many years and raised a family of four children there. In 1960 they retired and passed the farm to their son, Orest.¹

Dmytro died on 12 April 1972 at Vegreville, Alberta, at age 86.¹