An obituary and a reminiscence: Jaroslav Pryshlak, 'Bratchyk Slavko' (04/29/01)

An obituary and a reminiscence: Jaroslav Pryshlak, 'Bratchyk Slavko'

BUFFALO, N.Y. - On March 24 the Ukrainian community of Buffalo, N.Y., and the Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization lost one of its most active members, Jaroslav Pryshlak, who died at the age of 86.

Born in Berezhany, Ukraine, in 1915, Mr. Pryshlak was a member, both in Ukraine and abroad, of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and the Ukrainian Supreme Liberation Council. He was a political prisoner in Polish and German prisons and camps.

Mr. Pryshlak, or "Bratchyk Slavko," as he was known in Plast circles to generations of the youth organization's members and others, was the head of Buffalo's Plast branch for 27 years, a dedicated educator of "novatstvo" (the youngest Plast members), a devotee of Buffalo's Plast campground, Novyi Sokil, and a tireless church and community leader.

He was a member of the Ukrainian Engineers' Society of America, an officer of the Buffalo branch of the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council and a parishioner of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Buffalo.

Over 200 people, many of them clad in Plast uniforms, attended a wake for Bratchyk Slavko on March 25-26. Funeral services were held the next day, at which time the following thoughts by Michael Petryshyn, a member of SUM (Ukrainian American Youth Association), were shared with the grieving family and community.

* * *

Amidst sympathetic tears running down the visages of people just over 40 days ago, [at memorial services for two young men from the Buffalo community, Adjo Deputat and Ihor Pikas] there was a speech given by a man - an individual who was respected and beloved by all who were acquainted with him - that eloquently captured an infinite number of feelings in our limited language. As he read, passionate words exhumed a cloud of communal grieving, a language that even the greatest orators and writers of the world would have trouble matching; and I thought to myself how truly fortunate I was to know Bratchyk Slavko and hear him speak.

After he was finished, and people started to leave the funeral home, I walked over to Bratchyk Slavko and commended him for his emotional and elegant thoughts, stating that I wish I had it within me to give such an authoritative eulogy for our deceased friends. As he always did when one of the younger generation would share his/her thoughts with him, his aged eyes glistened with a renewed vigor, for he knew that he once again had touched not only the people of his own age, but the ones he took delight in most - the youth.

This was the last extended conversation I had with Bratchyk Slavko, and right before our farewell hug he asked if I would do something for him. Of course, without hesitation I agreed. He asked if I would be willing to share my thoughts at his funeral, and give a speech that people would remember him by. As soon as he reached the final syllable in that loaded question, I asked if he thought it would be proper for a SUMivets to speak at his funeral. A smile, almost a hidden laugh, caressed his face because of my naive comment, causing him to pull me closer. He told me he would not have it any other way.

While I was silently contemplating these thoughts and giving vent to my sorrows through the help of a pen, I became increasingly aware of a man that all Ukrainians, in one form or another, try to duplicate. Bratchyk Slavko was so full of years that I can hardly think of my own generation, but his virtues are present with the younger Plast members sitting here in this crowd from St. Catharines, Hamilton, Cleveland, Rochester and, most of all, his beloved Buffalo. These Plastuny have learned a great deal from our Bratchyk - from an inherent love for our homeland to the philosophic ideals behind Plast's canon. And yet, that seems little in comparison to the special place he holds in our hearts.

There was something beyond Bratchyk Slavko's uniform, where a pat on the shoulder followed by a kind smile after church revealed a side of him that should be treasured alongside his many honors in Plast. Like other deceased leaders in our community, such as Ihor Chomola and Ivan Drozdowskyj, Bratchyk Slavko was of a different pedigree, allowing individuals of all ages to naturally flock to him. These men had a zealous nature, surpassed only by their devotion to our community which has, ultimately, forged an unbreakable bond between all Ukrainians.

And Bratchyk Slavko should never be forgotten for this.

He is man who will be deeply and immensely missed. How awkward it will be not to see him in the third row during liturgy and wink every time I walk by for communion; how difficult it is that we will no longer witness his strong will and nature; and how hard it is that he will no longer be present for our graduations, marriages and births. But, like Adjo and Ihor, he will be guarding us until it is our time to depart. Every time we do something with our respective organizations, a part of Bratchyk Slavko will appear. Every time a quiet reminder of Sviatyi Mykolai crosses our minds, we will think of him. And every time Ukrainians get together, he will be there grieving and celebrating with us.

To the Pryshlak family:

My sympathies can never be wholly expressed in these few lines, but I want you to know all of you are in my thoughts and prayers.

This is indeed a sad occasion for you, but before this day is over please take a good and long look at the youth present. Bratchyk Slavko has instilled moral imperatives and cultivated intangibles in all of them; and as soon as you begin to miss his presence, just remember a part of him is embedded in all of their spirits.

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