Obituary for Ugor Samojlenko

Ugor Samojlenko
Ugor Samojlenko
June 6 1947 – June 27 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Ugor Samojlenko on June 27, 2024, at the Ottawa Hospital at the age of 77 after a year long battle with cancer.

Ugor was born in Munich, Germany, on June 6, 1947, to parents Nadia Strük and Mario Faidutti. He came to Canada with his mother and brother in 1951 and the family settled in Ottawa, Ontario, where he would eventually build a beautiful life. He married Shirley on May 16, 1970, and they would have 4 children together; Philip, David, Stephen, and Jennifer. 

As a carpenter, Ugor’s hands crafted not only the physical structures that stand as a testament to his skill but also the strong foundation of his family and community. His work was more than a profession; it was a passion that he shared with his family and all those fortunate enough to have known him.

Ugor’s legacy is one of dedication, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to his loved ones. He will be remembered for his open heart, his generosity, and the warmth he brought into every room. His family, friends, and all who knew him will forever hold his memory in their hearts.

Ugor is survived by his loving wife, Shirley (née Hutchison); his cherished children, Philip (Emily), David (Danielle), and Jennifer (Stephen); his beautiful grandchildren, Ella, Colin, Lauren, Quinn, and Peyton; his brothers, Gregg Samojlenko and Yuri Gorbachow; his lifelong friend, Jerry Wiaz; and many loving sisters- and brothers-in law, nieces, nephews, and friends. He is predeceased by his mother; Nadia (d.2016); his father, Mario (d.1948), and his step-father, Josef Gorbachow (d.1979).

Ugor now joins his kind and gentle son, Stephen, who passed away in 1985; a loss he carried deep in his heart throughout his life.

Family and friends are invited to visit at Whelan Funeral Home, 515 Cooper St., Ottawa, on Tuesday July 2 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A eulogy will be delivered by the family at 7:00 PM on the night of the visitation. The funeral mass will take place at Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church Hall, 58 Arthur Street, on Wednesday July 3 at 10:30 AM. He will be laid to rest at Pinecrest Cemetery immediately after the service. 

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff at the Ottawa General Hospital for the compassionate care they provided Ugor throughout his treatment, and especially in his final days.

Rest in peace, Ugor. Your love and craftsmanship will live on in the hearts and homes of all who were blessed to know you.

Вічная пам’ять. Vichnaya Pamyat. Memory Eternal.

15 responses to “Obituary for Ugor Samojlenko”

  1. Anne and Lynn Avatar
    Anne and Lynn

    Our hearts go out to you all. Ugor had such a big heart. May he rest in peace 🙏.

  2. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    Though I will not be there in person, I will be with you all in spirit, to honor uncle Ugor’s legacy of love and a life well lived. You will be missed greatly 💝

  3. Ella Samojlenko Avatar
    Ella Samojlenko

    I will forever cherish all the unique and special memories that I will fondly look back upon whenever I am reminded of my Dida. From playing crazy 8’s at the cottage table to the vistis at their house to the boat rides where I first learned how to navigate the Ottawa River and how to drive a boat (with a little help from Dida to get started of course), the memories that I am left with are nothing short of wonder & warmth. My childhood was shaped from all of the time and energy Dida put into my summers as a child up at Camp Gramma & Dida. Dida was a perfect example of a strong, hardworking, family oriented man. He always had something to teach us and with all of his talents (carpentry, visual art, music, winemaking, and many more) he had something special to share and to pass on to each of his kids as well as grandchildren. Through that, his talents, knowledge, skills, and experience will live on for years to come through those he played a key part in shaping. I can also confidently say that Dida will continue to live on through all of the memories and stories that are held in the hearts of my Gramma, Uncle Gregg, Uncle Yuri, my Dad, my Uncle Dave, my Auntie Jenny, my Mom, Danielle, Stephen, Colin, Lauren, Quinn, and myself, as well as anyone else who was blessed enough to know my Dida. I love you Dida and although the loss of your physical presence is painful and hard to grieve, I know that you are still with us in our hearts and in spirit. I love you Dida and I look forward to the day when we can be reunited once again.
    With my deepest love,
    Ella

  4. Chris Samojlenko Avatar
    Chris Samojlenko

    This photo of Uncle Ugor makes me smile. My deepest sympathies to all affected by his loss.

  5. Tanya,Luc and Max Avatar
    Tanya,Luc and Max

    My uncle Ugor was a very funny guy, he loved everybody, he was a great listener and teacher. I have fond memories of him dressed up as santa claus at many Christmas gatherings, you will be greatly missed by many. 💝

  6. dsamojlenko Avatar

    Some of my favourite memories of spending time with my dad are from jobs we’ve done together. I will always see him in his work shirt, with a trowel and a putty knife, or a hammer and a tool belt, flicking a measuring tape against the wall, “measure twice cut once!”, always checking for level and plumb. He had a power tool (or two) for any occasion, a mouth full of nails, and a pencil behind his ear.

    We built so many things together; from my basement bedroom at home, to so many pieces of furniture including my favourite piece, a record cabinet that is a feature in my living room, to the basement office he helped me build during COVID, to the last thing we worked on together, a glass railing on the back deck of my house. And I’ll never forget the time he built a kitchen for Danielle’s family in Quebec City, drove it 450kms, installed it and completely renovated the space in 4 days like some kind of home renovation super man.

    Dad was always my first call when I was trying to figure out how to do something, and he was always there to help at a moments notice. I learned so much working with my dad over the years, and recently have had opportunity to use those skills to pay him back, by helping to recover the cottage from the 2019 flood, and preserving his legacy there.

    I also try to use the skills I’ve learned to help the people I love, because that’s how my dad raised me. To share my knowledge and skills, and to help others.

    Miss you already dad, don’t worry though- you taught me well, I’ll figure things out from here.

  7. Wanda Avatar
    Wanda

    Ugor was one special Man , I enjoyed knowing him. He and Steve loved getting together and talking. They are together in Heaven 🙏🙏

  8. Jim Hutchison Avatar
    Jim Hutchison

    Ugor was like an older brother to me; encouraging, supportive, and without exaggeration, bigger than life. He taught me guitar as a young man, and later he also passed on his cabinet making skills. A patient teacher, his way with people always wowed me. Always friendly, always inviting, always valuing the people around him. Happy trails Ugor, you will be sorely missed.

  9. Allison and Terry Fagan Avatar
    Allison and Terry Fagan

    We send our deepest condolences to Shirley, Dave and Danielle, Phil and Emily, Jenny and Stephen, Ella, Colin, Lauren and Quinn and family and friends of Ugor, on his passing from this world to the next. Terry and l always enjoyed time together celebrating our shared grandkids with Shirley and Ugor. I know how much the kids all loved cottage time with their Dida and visits at Pinehurst or Chinese food feasts at Wonton’s. He taught them so much about hard work and fun times too! Our faith in the good Lord assured us of Ugor’s presence in Paradise with his Stephen. Our love and prayers for the Samojlenkos.

  10. Dorothy Young Avatar
    Dorothy Young

    Ugor, from knowing you for so many years. Being the flower girl at your wedding to babysitting the kids while you and Shirley can get an evening out. You were like another brother to me. You always had some advise to give me whenever we met. Growing up when the family got together on Hawthorne, I always loves hanging out with the guys, you were much funner to be around. Listening to your guitar at the camp fires. These were always my best memories. I still talk about them today. I will miss you so much, it is so hard to see how cancer can take the will and strength out of people. I always saw you as a strong person, it takes a strong person to go through what you experienced. You are at peace now. Look down at us once in a while. I will be looking for signs. I was so blessed to have known you. Rest in peace.

  11. Marg Cosman Avatar
    Marg Cosman

    So sorry for your loss. Deepest sympathy to the family. May he live on in the fond memories you all have.

  12. Catherine Peters Gibson& Bryan Gibson Avatar
    Catherine Peters Gibson& Bryan Gibson

    Deepest sympathies to the whole family. I have very fond memories of sleepovers at Jenny’s (eating too many Jolly Ranchers and choreographing dances to Ace of Base). I was always warmly welcomed by Ugor and the other whole family. It was clearly a home filled with love.

    The stories and deeply poignant memories shared at the wake tonight were testament to his incredible life and legacy left behind—far too soon. His many talents are evident in his children and grandchildren. May his memory always be a blessing. Mizpah.

  13. Elizabeth Carlyle Avatar
    Elizabeth Carlyle

    My sincere condolences to all the family and friends affected by this loss. May the many good memories give you comfort

  14. Helen & Don Avatar
    Helen & Don

    I have so many good memories of Ugor, from the time he was dating Shirley until his last hug in the hospital – he insisted on standing.
    Ugor was so generous with his time and talents. He built me a pantry on Cummings Avenue which we took with us to Orient Park. Several times he helped us with projects that required muscle power including the time he lugged a nearly full hot water tank up from the basement (my bad.) He did some renovations at Orient Park and built a room for Amanda in the basement. He encouraged me with my guitar playing and I always loved his playing and singing. Our families spent lots of time visiting each other enabling our children to play and grow up together.
    Like many others, our family had such happy times at the cottage enjoying swimming, boating, corn roasts, berry picking, campfires, sing-alongs. We even camped there in our small trailer for a couple of seasons. Ugor was there for all our children’s important events: baptisms, first communions, birthday parties, weddings. He was godfather to Donna and played and sang at her wedding. He was especially good to Eleanor when she moved to Holland Avenue.
    After we all retired, we got together during our stays in Florida. We also made more great memories in Hawaii.
    Life brought us all much happiness as well as sorrow, but we were always there to support each other even if just with a phone call. Phil, Dave and Jenny have now stepped in with amazing support and are a testament to the love of their parents.

    Ugor, I will miss you dearly.

  15. Conrad Charbonneau Avatar
    Conrad Charbonneau

    I loved the man, we became very good friends later on, both of us living on the same street , and we talked a lot about music,and he made the very best wine.We really enjoyed each others company, I will miss him so much,rest in peace my good friend.

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