Julian Gregory Klymkiw, devoted father, grandfather, and husband passed away peacefully on August 10, 2022 in Winnipeg at the Holy Family Nursing Home. Julian was born in Winnipeg on July 16, 1933, and had a long and distinguished career as an athlete and public relations and promotions executive.

He leaves to mourn his passing daughter Joanne Klymkiw, son Gregory Klymkiw, grandson Nicholas Kjernisted and granddaughter Julia Klymkiw (as well as a huge extended family and innumerable friends/colleagues). A private service and interment officiated by Father Bogdan Lukie has been held.

 

Julian Gregory Klymkiw, devoted father, grandfather and husband, passed away peacefully on  August 10, 2022 in Winnipeg at the Holy Family Nursing Home. Julian was born in Winnipeg July 16, 1933 and served as a legendary hockey player and public relations/promotions executive for Carling O’Keefe-Molson’s Brewery and was a longtime Winnipeg Jets hockey game and post-game broadcaster on CJOB radio.

Julian leaves to mourn his passing daughter Joanne Klymkiw (who tirelessly and lovingly served as his longtime primary caregiver), son Gregory Julian Klymkiw, grandson Nicholas Bradley Kjernisted and granddaughter Julia Joanna Klymkiw (as well as a huge extended family and innumerable friends/colleagues).

Julian was predeceased by his wife Joan Klymkiw (Galazyk), his father Gregory (Hrych/Harry) Julian Klymkiw, his mother Hanya (Anna) Klymkiw (nee Semenetz), his brothers Walter Klymkiw, Bogdan (Boxy) Klymkiw and sister Natalka Dobrowloski (nee Klymkiw).

A private service and interment, officiated by Father Bogdan Lukie (Julian’s longtime spiritual advisor) has been held.

He was raised in the west-end neighbourhood of Brooklands where he played hockey and soccer and became a longtime singer in the O. Koshetz Memorial Choir at the Ukrainian National Federation (UNF). 

Julian was a player and trainer with the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 1950s for the Detroit Red Wings. In his book “The Game”, goalie Ken Dryden cited Julian as a chief influence upon his goaltending style, Gordie Howe referred to Julian as “The Little Uke” when he served as a backup goalie to “The Big Uke” Terry Sawchuk.

Before an NHL players union existed, Julian broke his ankle, and instead of being taken care of until he healed, he received the Red Wings’ brass handshake from GM Jack Adams. “Best of luck to you, kid,” was all Adams had to offer.

In the 1960s, Julian came back to represent his country as a goalie with the Winnipeg Maroons on Canada’s National Hockey team. In later years Julian masterminded the sponsorship deal allowing for the continuation of the Canada Cup international hockey tournaments throughout the 70s and 80s.

Julian was regarded as one of the best public relations (PR) and sales promotions executives in Canada through his long and valued support of professional and amateur sporting events as well as a wide variety of cultural events and institutions.

Julian distinguished himself for many years doing Winnipeg Jets game and post-game analysis on CJOB radio with the late, great Ken “The Friar” Nicholson. 

During his retirement, Julian volunteered to strap on the goalie pads for the young hockey players of the Manitoba Moose and to improve their game, they fired pucks at him on the ice of the late, lamented Winnipeg Arena (“The Barn”).  

When he suffered a massive stroke, the doctors wanted to take him off life support. His wife Joan Klymkiw refused. Good thing, too. Julian was a “tough S.O.B” as his son and many friends used to say and he survived many years after his stroke.

Julian was also widely respected by all the young hockey players he mentored over the years and his wide array of friends. While recovering from his stroke in Concordia Hospital, he had to be moved into a large private room to accommodate the endless stream of hockey players and friends coming to visit him.

Julian’s closest friend was Cal Murphy, the legendary coach and general manager (GM) of the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) team The Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Julian and Cal were inseparable and well-known for their humorous and salty-tongued repartee. After his stroke, Julian received daily visits in the hospital from the late, great Mr. Murphy. 

In addition to the Detroit Red Wings and the Winnipeg Maroons as Canada’s National Hockey Team, Julian played goal for numerous Detroit Red Wings “farm teams” in Michigan, The Brandon Wheat Kings in the MJHL where he led the league with a record 23 wins and an impressive Goal Against Average of 3.36 and in the early 50s, Julian played goal for 57 games on three IHL teams.

The family wishes to sincerely thank Father Bogdan Lukie, Doctors Terry and Andrea Babick and the staff and caregivers of Holy Family Nursing Home.

The family also wishes to thank pallbearers Nicholas Kjernisted, Ron Taylor, Michael Dobrowoslki, Tyler Halas, John Kozelko and Brad Richliwski.

Please make donations in Julian’s memory to The Holy Family Nursing Home in Winnipeg.

Though Julian was a “tough S.O.B.” he is mostly and lovingly remembered for his boundless sense of humour and great kindness to all.

Throughout his long career, Julian managed to squeeze in 10 years as a cop. A tough S.O.B. indeed.

 

Vichnaya Pamyat (Вічная Пам’ять) - Eternal Memory