Obituary of Jaroslaw Lew (Jerry) Jaworski

Peacefully, after a brief illness, on October 26, 2025, our beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away in Ottawa at the age of 90. He leaves to mourn his beloved wife of 65 years Helen, his four children John (Nancy Miles), Maribeth, Christina, and Jennifer (Stephen Schwallie), nine grandchildren, Christopher (Tayla Kaplan), Alexandra, Sarah (Roz Toner), Nicholas, Bridget, Warner, Kyle, Nathan and Lauren, sisters-in law, Katherine Elsie Kuchaba and Jennie (the late Don) Martin as well as nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Ivan (John) and Eugenia Jaworski, brother Bohdan (the late Joyce Jaworski) and great nephew Connor Jaworski.

 Jerry was born on August 11, 1935 in St. Boniface, Manitoba, to Ukrainian pioneers. As a child of immigrants his first language was Ukrainian. As he grew up during the course of the second World War, being an Army Cadet was mandatory. He excelled in target shooting winning several competitions including being sent to his future long-time home of Ottawa. After graduating high school, he went to the University of Manitoba where he was a member of “Obnova” (a Ukrainian Catholic University Student Group) and in 1957 graduated with honours from the Faculty of Science with a bachelor’s degree in Geology.

 After graduation, Jerry joined the California Standard Oil Company and moved to Calgary and later Edmonton. He initially worked in the wilds of northern Alberta and Yukon in small teams that were dispatched to remote parts of the country searching for oil. He later worked on the oil drilling platforms as a wellsite geologist. He married Helen in 1960, and, in 1964, after the birth of his first two children, left the west for Ottawa and joined the Public Service of Canada, where he enjoyed a long and successful career until his retirement in 1993.

In retirement Jerry travelled extensively and took up golf. He and Helen also spent the last 35 years wintering at their second home in Marco Island, Florida. When not enjoying his pastimes, Jerry spent his time enjoying watching his grandchildren grow up. He could always be found at their football, hockey, volleyball, baseball, soccer and softball games as well as dance and band recitals, plays and art exhibitions. When all of those things didn’t fill his time, he could be found renovating and helping others renovate their homes. Before and after his retirement Jerry was a member of both the parish council and building committee for the St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Shrine.

Just prior to his passing Jerry expressed how grateful he was to have been able to live such a long, happy, interesting, healthy, joyful and peaceful life.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at the Ottawa Hospital, General Campus, 6^th Floor West, and the May Court Hospice, for their compassionate care for Jerry during his last days.

Visitation and prayers will be between 7 and 9 p.m., Friday, October 31, at Cole Funeral Services at Pinecrest Cemetery, 2500 Baseline Road. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Saturday November 1, at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Shrine, 952 Green Valley Crescent, Ottawa.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the May Court Hospice.