BELKIN, Oleg (Oleh)

OLEG BELKIN (OLEH)

August 27, 1952 – November 6, 2024

It is with great sadness that we say good-bye to our dear Oleh, a comedian, actor, singer, and teacher that will be remembered mostly as the big man with the booming voice who always made us laugh. Born and raised in Lviv, Ukraine to Vyacheslav and Stefania (neé Baluch) Belkin, Oleh was first educated as a radio-electronics expert, and posted in the Siberian High Arctic with the Soviet Navy. However, since the concert stage pulled on Oleh much harder, he soon changed his life course and became instead an emceé and comedian in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, performing and touring with popular musicians of the time Nazariy Yaremchuk, the Rotaru sisters, and the Marenych Trio. Oleh later entered the most prestigious theatrical academy of the former Soviet Union, and after graduating joined the school’s avant-garde theatre group, which toured 19 countries and won countless awards in the late 1980s. Oleh continued his theatrical and film career after moving to Canada in 1991, most notably playing the role of the Russian Defence Minister in “The Sum of All Fears” starring Morgan Freeman and Ben Affleck. As time and his health issues progressed, Oleh’s performance activity became more contained. He worked for many years as a much-loved Ukrainian teacher of both children and adults in Ottawa, and became very active in its Ukrainian community, singing baritone with the AKORD Men’s choir and serving as cantor and base singer at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. However, Oleh also never, ever, ever gave up an opportunity to jump in the car with his buddies and race to the nearest fishing hole. Mourning their loss are his beloved wife of 29 years, Vera Hutzuliak and her brother Andrew; Oleh’s children Alexander, Olena (Alexander), Daria (Edgor Khakimov), and Dana (Ansagan Shayakhmet); brothers Vyacheslav and Serhiy; grandchildren Danylo, Arstan, Aliya and Askar; dear aunt Maria and cousin Tonia, nephews, nieces, cousins, and countless further family and friends all over the world. Following Oleh’s wishes, services in his memory will be held at the Ivan Franko Residence in Mississauga on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 1:30 pm; and at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ottawa on Sunday, December 15, 2024, after the Liturgy. May his memory and smile be eternal. Vichnaya Pam’yat!