I was born in 1922, in the Ukraine-Krachocelchi Zbarach, son of Peter Kosiuk and Paraskevia Huzyk. I was raised with two loving brothers, William and Gerald. At the age of nine months my parents came back to Welland, Ontario, Canada. Where they had previously lived, were married and worked. In 1928, my parents felt they would like to return to the Ukraine. We left Welland for Montreal where we would board ship. This changed when friends in Montreal convinced them not to go back to Ukraine. So, Montreal was chosen to be our home.
I attended Edward Murphy School - associated with St Mary's Irish Catholic Parish. On Sunday I attended Mass with all the other students. Soon I became involved with the school and church activities.
In 1937 I graduated from Edward Murphy School. Finishing High School was out of the question. Due to circumstances of the times, my parents needed help. Jobs were scarce. I got a paper route in the morning and worked at a canteen on the waterfront, selling food and drinks.
In 1939 I joined the Montreal Gazette in the Production Department. Within a year I became assistant foreman. The following year at the age of 19 I volunteered and joined the Canadian Armed Forces for Active Duty. I completed my basic training in Huntington, Quebec and proceeded to Petawawa, Ontario for advanced field artillery training.
Within a year I would find myself overseas, in England, stationed at a military base at Aldershot. From Aldershot I was transferred to the single Core with the lines of communication with the 21 Army Group. Over the next three years I served in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.
I returned to Canada in 1946 and was discharged from the Army. I resumed my work at the Montreal Gazette, in the circulation department I dedicated 50 years of loyal service occupying numerous managerial positions in the department. After returning from overseas I became active in the Ukrainian Youth & Church Committee at St. Michael's Parish.
I was President of the Ukrainian Catholic Youth for a couple years. When the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Ukrainian Catholic Parish was formed I served on the First Church Committee and was responsible for organizing the Ukrainian Catholic Young Men's Association. I served as Vice-President for a number of years.
In 1948, I married Mary Balawyder. We raised and are the proud parents of two children Diana and John. We are devoted and loving grandparents to Christine, Michael, Karen, Caroline & Andrea.
As a teenager, I remember Father Jean coming to our house early in the morning, and taking my father and other men to Government construction sites and getting them jobs. Also placing young boys into seminaries and colleges to get higher education. Some became priests, engineers, lawyers and doctors. He also arranged for the purchase of the land that became Camp Ukraina. There are many more things he did for the Ukrainians. He was a true priest and friend. With regard to Father Josaphat Jean Scholarship Foundation I believe I played a key role in its initiation. This is how it all started. Father Jean was passing through Montreal. He dropped in to see my parents but they were not home. He left an invitation for the celebration for his 50th Anniversary of Priesthood. This was organized by his family took place in Rimouski, where he was ordained. I was upset by the fact that no celebration was taking place in Montreal. Over the next year I approached several people and mentioned my concerns. Finally, at one of the meetings I again brought up the subject of Father Jean to the members and they agreed to do something. With the help of Father Kushniryk and Father Zeletski and all the members of the Ukrainian Catholic Men's Association a High Mass and banquet were celebrated with great success. The proceeds of this event went towards starting the Father Josaphat Jean Scholarship Foundation.
I am delighted that the Father Josaphat Jean Foundation has flourished and has been able to help so many young gifted students in their quest for knowledge.
I would like to thank all the sponsors for making the Scholarship a great success. I'm sure Father Jean would have appreciated what has been done in his name by the Ukrainians.