Luka Ruzycky was a gifted young man. The oldest of four children of Adrian Ruzycky and Roksolana Curkowskyj, in his preteen years Luka was an avid chess player. He loved the battle of the game, embracing its struggle for power and intellectual dominance.
He built tree forts and spud guns and always loved decorating the house for Halloween. As a teen he enjoyed reading, history, museums and playing the stock market and the piano. He studied German and Russian. Braveheart was one of his favourite movies and he endlessly played its theme song on the piano.
There's no shame in pointing out that, as an athlete, Luka could not throw or kick a ball well. But he excelled at swimming, achieving his bronze medallion at 16 and competing in high school and provincial swim tournaments. He also participated in many competitive ski races.
At 15, Luka travelled to Ukraine with his classmates and brother Maksym. The trip was a life-altering experience for him. Luka developed a great appreciation for his heritage and Ukraine's history, politics and economics.
His passion for history and European culture inspired a five-week trip through Europe after graduating from high school. Landing in Paris, he made his way through Austria, Latvia, Hungary and Ukraine before flying home from Moscow. When in Ukraine, he wrote home that he had managed to persuade an attendant to give him a pass to a private box in the Lviv opera theatre, where he watched The Marriage of Figaro.
An avid scout and leader, Luka participated in many camping excursions across Canada and in Austria. He developed many fond relationships with kids and adults alike.
He graduated as an Ontario scholar in June and was ready to pursue first-year business studies on a scholarship from the University of Western Ontario. He was nervous about moving away to London, Ont., but his excitement was obvious. He was bursting with the hopes and dreams of a young man on the cusp of adulthood.
Luka was the type of kid who would have made a difference in life - somewhere, somehow, with a contribution that only his vivid imagination could have foreseen. He had sharp opinions about politics, both domestic and international; his views were stimulating, his humour witty and his aspirations quelled only by his untimely passing. Such rich character makes more precious each hour we are given, demanding that our lives be rewarding and full of purpose.
Luka died peacefully in his sleep when his braveheart suddenly stopped beating. He will be sadly missed by his family and many, many friends.
By Adrian Ruzycky, Luka's father.
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