Obituary for Timothy Prihodko
Timothy James Prihodko
July 28, 1928 – March 31, 2019
Timothy James Prihodko was born in Poland on July 28, 1928 to Rev James and Eugene Prihodko. A year after his birth, the family up and moved to Western Canada as his father was a traveling Evangelist. It wasn’t long after that “The Sisters” came along. Lily, Eleanor, Alvina (Vi), and Greta. With his father often away for long periods of time, and being the oldest and only boy, Tim was tasked with many of the farm chores – despite being the target of his younger sisters numerous pranks. As a teenager, the family again up and moved to St Catharines, ON. It was during this time, as an 18 year old, he and a friend would hitch-hike to Toronto to attend The Peoples Church Youth for Christ events. Tim fell in love with the Church, and the evangelistic charisma that was “Peoples”.
After a year of living in New York City, working for Prudential, Tim attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Accounting with a minor in Law. It was during this time, while home on Summer Holidays, that he met a 15 year old Lillian at a wedding in Toronto. He was smitten. And so was she. Although neither family approved of the other, the 2 started to see each other on and off for the next few years. Tim moved to Toronto, and began working in Finance at IBM, and regularly attending The Peoples Church. Tim often joked about walking through the streets of Toronto during Hurricane Hazel to see Lillian. Even after their engagement, there was some resistance from both families towards the other. How do you plan a wedding when neither family would attend? But they did. And on June 2nd, 1956, together with all of their family, and 8 bridesmaids and 8 ushers, Tim married Lillian in Toronto in front of 400 guests. It was after 9 years, that Tim’s one and only son David, was born.
The 2 settled in Toronto, and began their lives attending The Peoples Church on Bloor Street. I believe it was during this time that Sunday lunch at Swiss Chalet was established. Tim joined the choir, along with Lillian. And on a couple of occasions, sang a duet with Lillian. Tim’s involvement with Peoples didn’t stop there. He was a youth leader, became an Elder, and a Deacon. Then at the “new building” on Sheppard, became an usher at the centre doors. He taught Sunday School, and led the Wednesday night prayer meeting. Through his involvement, Tim seemed to know “everybody” and they all knew him. Tim had a charisma and compassion for people, and usually a joke or 3. Always with a smile, a twinkle in his blue eyes, a warm handshake – but most often a hug. After Tim stepped away from ushering, he sat in the family pew where Lillian often referred to him as a “Social Butterfly” because he would be making his pastoral visits throughout the congregation before the service. Half way through the first song, Lillian would look around the auditorium wondering “where’s Tim?!”.
Tim’s professional career took several different paths. He went back to Teachers college and became a teacher. A profession he was proud of, and passionate about. Years later, he would meet former students who would always reminisce about his jokes, and the impact he had on their lives. It was during this time, that in 1980, Tim had his first heart attack. Tim later joked that he was only having mild chest pains, but it was Lillian driving him to the hospital that gave him the actual heart attack. Always a joke to make people smile. A quadruple bypass surgery was required. Tim was given a 50% chance of surviving 5 years. Tim’s faith in God, and the power of prayer knew better. Tim then changed paths and moved in to Real Estate. It was another chance to meet and talk to people, and help them as best he could.
19 years after his first heart attack, Tim had a second attack in 1999. A triple bypass was required this time. Once again, people prayed. Tim survived. He survived another heart attack, a stroke, and cancer. Tim literally had a team of medical professionals around him. They were often amazed at his speed of recovery, and called him a “walking miracle”. Tim loved this because it opened the door for him to talk about “The Great Physician”, his Lord and Saviour, who through having the simple faith, the size of a mustard seed, he was restored.
Tim would never want to be remembered for his accomplishments, his successes, or the numerous foundations he was connected to and supported. Instead, he would want people to remember seeing Jesus in him. Seeing a Godly man, who loved the Lord, his family, and his friends. A kind and generous man who always had a smile, a twinkle in his eye, a joke, and a warm greeting. And if there happened to be a good meal involved… “well, we have to eat!”
Tim was deeply loved and will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and those who had the privilege of having Tim as part of their lives. Tim Prihodko... No more pain and suffering, but rather “in the arms of his loving Saviour and Lord!”.
In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested a donation in Tim’s memory to one of the following:
Love A Village Mission
loveavillage.org/timprihodko
Or by cheque to:
Love a Village Mission
PO Box 33511
Toronto, ON
M3A 1Z0
Or
Focus on the Family - Canada
19946 80A Avenue
Langley, BC
V2Y 0J8
July 28, 1928 – March 31, 2019
Timothy James Prihodko was born in Poland on July 28, 1928 to Rev James and Eugene Prihodko. A year after his birth, the family up and moved to Western Canada as his father was a traveling Evangelist. It wasn’t long after that “The Sisters” came along. Lily, Eleanor, Alvina (Vi), and Greta. With his father often away for long periods of time, and being the oldest and only boy, Tim was tasked with many of the farm chores – despite being the target of his younger sisters numerous pranks. As a teenager, the family again up and moved to St Catharines, ON. It was during this time, as an 18 year old, he and a friend would hitch-hike to Toronto to attend The Peoples Church Youth for Christ events. Tim fell in love with the Church, and the evangelistic charisma that was “Peoples”.
After a year of living in New York City, working for Prudential, Tim attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Accounting with a minor in Law. It was during this time, while home on Summer Holidays, that he met a 15 year old Lillian at a wedding in Toronto. He was smitten. And so was she. Although neither family approved of the other, the 2 started to see each other on and off for the next few years. Tim moved to Toronto, and began working in Finance at IBM, and regularly attending The Peoples Church. Tim often joked about walking through the streets of Toronto during Hurricane Hazel to see Lillian. Even after their engagement, there was some resistance from both families towards the other. How do you plan a wedding when neither family would attend? But they did. And on June 2nd, 1956, together with all of their family, and 8 bridesmaids and 8 ushers, Tim married Lillian in Toronto in front of 400 guests. It was after 9 years, that Tim’s one and only son David, was born.
The 2 settled in Toronto, and began their lives attending The Peoples Church on Bloor Street. I believe it was during this time that Sunday lunch at Swiss Chalet was established. Tim joined the choir, along with Lillian. And on a couple of occasions, sang a duet with Lillian. Tim’s involvement with Peoples didn’t stop there. He was a youth leader, became an Elder, and a Deacon. Then at the “new building” on Sheppard, became an usher at the centre doors. He taught Sunday School, and led the Wednesday night prayer meeting. Through his involvement, Tim seemed to know “everybody” and they all knew him. Tim had a charisma and compassion for people, and usually a joke or 3. Always with a smile, a twinkle in his blue eyes, a warm handshake – but most often a hug. After Tim stepped away from ushering, he sat in the family pew where Lillian often referred to him as a “Social Butterfly” because he would be making his pastoral visits throughout the congregation before the service. Half way through the first song, Lillian would look around the auditorium wondering “where’s Tim?!”.
Tim’s professional career took several different paths. He went back to Teachers college and became a teacher. A profession he was proud of, and passionate about. Years later, he would meet former students who would always reminisce about his jokes, and the impact he had on their lives. It was during this time, that in 1980, Tim had his first heart attack. Tim later joked that he was only having mild chest pains, but it was Lillian driving him to the hospital that gave him the actual heart attack. Always a joke to make people smile. A quadruple bypass surgery was required. Tim was given a 50% chance of surviving 5 years. Tim’s faith in God, and the power of prayer knew better. Tim then changed paths and moved in to Real Estate. It was another chance to meet and talk to people, and help them as best he could.
19 years after his first heart attack, Tim had a second attack in 1999. A triple bypass was required this time. Once again, people prayed. Tim survived. He survived another heart attack, a stroke, and cancer. Tim literally had a team of medical professionals around him. They were often amazed at his speed of recovery, and called him a “walking miracle”. Tim loved this because it opened the door for him to talk about “The Great Physician”, his Lord and Saviour, who through having the simple faith, the size of a mustard seed, he was restored.
Tim would never want to be remembered for his accomplishments, his successes, or the numerous foundations he was connected to and supported. Instead, he would want people to remember seeing Jesus in him. Seeing a Godly man, who loved the Lord, his family, and his friends. A kind and generous man who always had a smile, a twinkle in his eye, a joke, and a warm greeting. And if there happened to be a good meal involved… “well, we have to eat!”
Tim was deeply loved and will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and those who had the privilege of having Tim as part of their lives. Tim Prihodko... No more pain and suffering, but rather “in the arms of his loving Saviour and Lord!”.
In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested a donation in Tim’s memory to one of the following:
Love A Village Mission
loveavillage.org/timprihodko
Or by cheque to:
Love a Village Mission
PO Box 33511
Toronto, ON
M3A 1Z0
Or
Focus on the Family - Canada
19946 80A Avenue
Langley, BC
V2Y 0J8