Roger Stanley John Dolyny, 79, of Fort Frances, Ontario, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 20, 2022, at his home. He was born on October 11, 1942, in Fort Frances to Stanley and Edith Dolyny. He was proud to call Fort Frances home and loved spending time at the lake at the family cabin on Rocky Islet Bay.
Roger held many hats over the years, working as an Insurance agent in Winnipeg before returning home to Fort Frances helping run The Acres, then settling into contract work for many years. He continued to putter with various projects right up until his passing.
During his High School years, he was very involved with music and dance. He was an accomplished trumpet player and one hell of a singer. Many remembered his voice as the lead singer of “The Rockers” and his penchant for performance. When “The Rockers” hit the stage at the Fort High Reunion in 2000, the party officially began!!! His voice was a mainstay throughout the community. He was honoured and recognized each year to sing O’Canada and God Save the Queen for Remembrance Day. He was tickled to sing O’Canada for his grandson’s hockey tournament this past season. Roger was proud of his Ukrainian heritage and was honoured to sing alongside his mother Edith and sister Livia in the Ukrainian Church Choir. Uncle Walter Andrusco once said, “It’s only a choir when Roger is here singing with us.”
Roger enjoyed curling in High School and continued to curl into his 40’s before hanging up his broom and settling into nights at the arena to watch his boys play hockey.
In later years, “Big Rog,” as he was known to many, became famous for his home remedies. His love for garlic, distilled water, apple cider vinegar and food-grade hydrogen peroxide was always a hot topic with him, and he was never shy to share his views on a more natural approach to health. Often found were printed-off literature with Gido’s favorite points highlighted. He battled his colon cancer by upping his “regime,” using his beliefs of a more holistic approach and daily bike rides to better his health. He was determined, stubborn and strong-willed to do things his way on his own terms.
Roger loved cooking and baking and often dropped his family care packages for all to try. He was a caring and talented individual with a passion for family, friends and animals. He enjoyed life and tackled all it had to offer with contentment. He will be deeply missed for those reasons.
Gido was a one-of-a-kind man. His presence will never be forgotten. He loved his family fiercely and would never turn down an opportunity to spend time with them. His grandchildren stole his heart and he would remind them of this by always writing, “just know how much Gido loves you,” in each of their birthday cards. He was so proud of who they were and their accomplishments.
Roger leaves behind his sons Paul (Lindy) Dolyny and Rustyn (Tiffany) Dolyny; daughters Stacy (Derek) Whalen and Tonya Dolyny; grandchildren Ava, Chloe, Payton, Brett and Nash Dolyny; sisters Livia (Steve) Lundon and Jane (Paul) Overholt; as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Stanley and Edith Dolyny; and granddaughter Taras Dolyny.
A memorial service for Roger will be held Monday, June 27, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., at Green Funeral Home, 600 Reid Avenue, Fort Frances, Ontario. Diane Clifford will officiate, followed by a luncheon and interment at Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances.
Pallbearers will be Larry Phillips, Larry Eustace, Steve Lundon, Johnny Lundon and his grandson’s Brett and Nash Dolyny. Honorary Pallbearers will be his granddaughters Ava, Chloe and Payton Dolyny. Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or St. George’s Ukranian Orthodox Church, 804 McKenzie Avenue, Fort Frances, Ontario, P9A 2B2.
As a family, we want to take this opportunity to remember Gido for who he was and what he meant to each of us. His simple pleasures in life are those to be admired. Gido was and will always be remembered, until we meet again, DYBOSIA.