Obituary of Michael Soroski

August 29, 1930 - Edmonton, Alberta

November 19, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Michael Soroski, beloved father and grandfather, passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at the age of 93 years.

Mike was born August 29, 1930, in Edmonton, AB.  He was the eldest of seven children to Anton and Antonina Sorokoski, Ukrainian immigrants to Canada.  The Sorokoskis were pioneers and homesteaders. The family farm in Athabasca, AB, was for all of Mike’s life a place of solace and happiness, and where he returned to often.

Michael left home in his late teens for a series of life adventures.  He spent a number of his young years as a miner in Yellowknife, NWT, at the Giant Gold Mine and a number of other mines. The big city beckoned, however, and Mike made his way to Toronto in the 1950s.  His biggest gold find was in fact to occur here and not in the north, as he met his wonderful wife Ethna; an Irish nurse on a work visit to Canada in 1957.  Michael and Ethna were married on December 26, 1959. The couple enjoyed their time in Toronto very much and made many long driving trips in the 1950’s and 1960’s deep into the U.S. south, among other places.  Ethna worked as a nurse while Mike returned to school, pursuing a degree in History from the University of Toronto, where he received his certification as a teacher, and, later, credentials as a school librarian. 

Their only child, John, was born in 1965, and in 1966 the family moved to the cottage country of Huntsville, ON, for Michael’s first job as a new teacher. 

However, Mike always felt Alberta was his true home, and was very happy to return there in 1968, when he took a job as a teacher-librarian with the Calgary Board of Education.  He worked in that role during a career that included stays at James Fowler, Viscount Bennett, and Jack James High Schools, retiring in 1994. 

Mike and Ethna were blessed in their retirement years with the arrival of their only grandchild, Thomas, in 1997.  They spent countless hours with Tom, devoting their full attention to him.  A favorite game for the three was playing school, with Tom pretending to be grandma and grandpa’s teacher, to the great humour and delight of all.  Mike’s beloved Ethna was unfortunately diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2007.  He spent a number of years lovingly caring for her so she could remain at home.  When her condition became too difficult to manage, he visited her in her care home devotedly and almost daily from 2012 to her passing in 2019.  Mike’s last years were marked by losses of his ability to drive at age 90, to walk without assistance, and to see. Through these years, his mind remained sharp, and he retained his keen interest in the world and his family, and in his last life project of living his life out in his own home, a goal he succeeded in attaining.

Mike had a long and full life, and no story of it would be complete without noting his great curiosity and his varied interests in all kinds of hobbies and projects which he pursued with seriousness, ability, and depth.  These included photography, stamp and book collecting, carpentry and woodworking, landscaping, and genealogy.

Michael is survived by his son John, daughter-in-law Trisa, grandson Thomas, and siblings Lena Johanson, Julia Mohorich, and John Sorokoski.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at Corpus Christi Catholic Church (Corner of 4th Street & Northmount Drive N.W., Calgary, AB) on Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Corpus Christi Catholic Church (Corner of 4th Street & Northmount Drive N.W., Calgary, AB) on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Reception to follow in the Fr. Trudeau room at the Church. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Michael’s family at here.

In living memory of Michael Soroski, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.