Highly respected ophthalmologist and musician, Dr. Ilarion (Lary) Melnyk passed away on October 23, 2024 peacefully at home with his family by his side. Beloved husband of the late, Imi Melnyk, devoted father of Larissa, Frederic, Deanna and Tamara, steadfast father-in-law of Kelly, Matt and Carrie and adoring grandfather of Mark, Jessica, Eric, Braydon and Lily.
Lary was born in Lviv, Ukraine on April 10, 1942 and remained a proud Ukrainian all his life. In 1948 he immigrated to Canada, age 6. In Toronto he attended Parkdale Collegiate high school, where he met Imi, the love of his life, in 1958. After graduation from University of Toronto Medical School, Lary married Imi on June 24, 1967 and so began their life of love and laughter and adventure.
Being a doctor defined Lary and his adoring patients knew him as a caring, compassionate physician. The Melnyk’s settled in Midland where he became the lone ophthalmologist in the Midland - Penetang - Parry Sound area and served as Chief of Surgery and Chief of Medical Staff. Retiring 12 years ago, Lary was still greeted as Dr. Melnyk by patients at whichever grocery store he was checking out the specials.
Outside of his medical practice, Lary’s life centered on music. His music career began at age 7 with piano, violin and theory lessons. At age 19, he was awarded the prestigious Associate Diploma of the Royal Conservatory of Music as a concert pianist and teacher and was also a proud graduate of the Toronto School of Accordion. To put himself through medical school, he taught music and played with Larry and The Lymphatics, a U of T band that played night clubs and university functions. In Midland, Lary fronted a number of bands which included playing at the Midland Legion and he was an always willing volunteer to play at nursing and retirement homes. An extremely talented musician, all you had to do was hum part of a song and he transform that humming into something fantastic.
Larger than life and the life of any party, Lary loved to socialize and have friends over for the raucous Smelt Fry, the Holiday caroling party and Imi and Lary's always touching anniversary party. Lary was an active member of the Midland Y's Men's Club Hobbies: fishing, skiing, boating, racquetball, tennis, travelling and cooking. Lary also had a wry sense of humor - he didn't tell jokes but was joking all of the time, if that makes sense, and he’d always have a twinkle in his eye. He loved to dress up with his vast collection of funny glasses, outrageous hats and colorful ties and his Santa Claus outfit was well worn from all the Xmas concerts he played.
As a father, Lary was wonderful and supportive but also strict. He worked hard to give his children the best in life and all four went to great universities and the family went on vacations several times a year. He took pleasure in taking his kids to concerts, sporting events, and shopping trips to Toronto and whether it was hockey or skating Lary was always there to cheer his children on.
To his grandkids, he was Dido, Ukrainian for grandfather. He adored teaching them to cook and always said you can never use too much pepperoni on a pizza. Swimming in the bay or at a hotel on their little getaways with him and Imi was a great source of fun. Sleepovers with Dido always had "big pancakes" in the morning that you could only eat with your hands at his house. In particular, he had a special bond with his grandson, Braydon, that only the two of them know - he loved watching him play hockey. Jessica loved being his favourite granddaughter – until Lily came along and spoiled the whole thing! – oh, how Dido loved his two princesses. He looked forward to his fishing adventures with Mark and Eric and landing the big one off the dock.
Above all, when you think of Lary you must think of Imi. Theirs was a lifelong romance from high school in Toronto to the home they created on the Georgian Bay. Now they will be forever together as they always wished to be.
As per Lary's wishes, a private family service will be arranged and he requested no donations be made in his name. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 2nd at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 80 in Midland between 1:00 to 4:00 pm.
