Today, March 28, 2026 marks five years since you left us.

These years have passed at the speed of light, but the memories of you have never left me. What we did together, what we accomplished, and what we were planning to do are always on my mind.

We always loved to mark our special dates by traveling to different places around the world, creating new memories together. I am trying to continue this tradition and do what we had planned but never had the chance to complete.

I began my solo journey three years ago, with the goal of exploring the places that were on our list.

Portugal was the first destination, where I celebrated both my birthday and yours. Max helped me get started, as I shared in a previous post.

Then I traveled to Ireland in memory of our 60th anniversary, and later, on your birthday, I fulfilled one of our dreams by visiting Peru and Machu Picchu. I was deeply impressed by Peru, its culture, geography, blend of modern and colonial architecture, and its natural beauty. The highlight of the trip was the incredible Machu Picchu. I could not stop talking about it.

This year, before our anniversary on March 11, I spent 20 days traveling through South Africa and visiting Victoria Falls, completing a journey we had started together 10 years ago. The country is incredibly diverse, with stark inequality, but also kind people, high-quality service, breathtaking landscapes, and rich natural resources. Table Mountain in Cape Town and Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, were unforgettable. The power, scale, and beauty of the falls were truly overwhelming. The helicopter tour over the falls was also an incredible experience.

Our list of places to visit is getting shorter, but at the same time, I feel that I do not have as much time left to continue. These trips are not easy, but I am doing my best to stay strong and keep going, even as time moves in the opposite direction.

The family is doing well. The grandchildren are busy with their studies and summer jobs, but we take every opportunity to be together. We always remember you and the legacy you left in all of us.

I miss you so much, but you are always close and forever in my heart.

I love you forever.

My dear , September 12,  your 86 Birthday! We have always celebrated each of your Birthday with family and friends or traveling on this time . All of us created so much beautiful memories ! We missed these celebrations  , your creative parties with a lot of laughs and fun , your poetries and songs … we missed you so much  but our memories still alive and  will be in our hearts forever ! 

Happy Birthday ! Always love ♥️🌲

Pappa!

Wishing you a happy 86th birthday. We continue to miss you dearly, but we know your impact on those you loved hasn't faded. I've started my own wealth management business, and Andrew is working on some fun options strategies, all of which are very much inspired by you. I'm in Canmore, Alberta, while I write this, at an investors' conference, thinking of you, as I enjoy the beautiful outdoors, just as you would. Thank you for making me and many others better.

Much love,

David and Family

Here is another year without you…

Since my last post in September, I spent two weeks in Florida with Lena and then a month and a half in Costa Rica, in a beautiful villa that Yura built. We stayed there with Natasha, Marina, and Sasha to escape the cold and snow. The weather was very nice, though very hot. The beaches had black sand, reminding me of our time in Panama, when we walked along the shore for hours. On my daily morning walks along the Costa Rican bay, I thought of you and felt like you were walking beside me.

On March 11, we would have celebrated our 60th anniversary. We were always traveling on this day—exploring the world and creating memories. I want to keep doing that as long as I have the strength and desire to travel. So in May, I’m planning a tour to Ireland. We never had the chance to visit that country together, so I’ll be going solo for the first time.

Everyone in the family is doing well. Our grandchildren have been sharing the most exciting news: Sasha is graduating in May (a year early) and will begin her Master’s in Biological and Biomedical Engineering, while also working in a U of T lab this summer. Lucas is finishing his second year and found a great summer job at RBC. Nina is finishing her first year and was accepted for an internship this summer at Deloitte. Alex will soon get his driver’s license and will be applying to business schools next year. You would be so proud of them all, as I am. They bring me love, support, happiness, excitement, and fulfillment.

I miss you… You will always be in my heart.

My dear, as you just turn 85, I know for sure that we would be celebrating this milestone birthday in the country that we have been planning to explore for some time but did not chance to do it.

Beautiful Portugal was on top of our priority list of places to visit!

So, to fulfil our dreams, me and Max arrived in Lisbon on your birthday! Together we will discover Portugal with our tour group.

I am endlessly thankful to Max for his time and support in making this journey! On this day we were remembering you with our entire group of travellers we just met, and they were so attentive, sympathetic and kind… it was very touching, to tears.

Miss you so much, my love, but you are here with us in our hearts, as we discover Portugal! 

Pappa!

Celebrating what would have been your 85th with amazing memories of our times together. Your caring intelligence lives on in the many of us you've touched so deeply.

Always with profound admiration and love,

David. 

Today it has been 3 years since Roman has left us. For some, memories fade over time, but not for me. My memories are piling up almost everyday whatever I do, wherever I go…walking along the beach or in the park or going to theatre or watching the movie or to discussed and share books I was reading. Memories...memories!

We had a very active interesting life which was captured in thousand pics and hundreds of videos. Going thru some of them made me happy and encourage me to continue be active, going see places…traveling, but also sad because I lost my partner who was active and very supportive in all our plans.

This year I travelled in Florida for two weeks to visit my friends, then Costa Rica for a month and a half to escape winter.

May be more traveling this year to see places we were planning to go together but unfortunately did not have chance. It would be nice to create more memories and share them with my family and friends!

Missing you so much, always love!

Poppa,

There are few that I can think of who celebrated a milestone like you. Your infectious smile, quick wit, and caring demeanour were always highlights for me when I attended a celebration with you. Though there is no gathering for your 84th Birthday today, I know many, like me, are celebrating all that is you and your amazing impact on them. You’ve accomplished a goal I hope to share, leaving such a memorable positive impression on those you were close to. Thanks for allowing me to be one of those people and inspiring me as a husband, father, and friend.

I love you and Happy Birthday,

David.

On June 18 - Father’s Day we unveiled Roman’s gravestone!

My beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend finally got his designated resting place, where we can a visit him, remember him, and even see some important moment of his life which are reflected in this monument!

I would like to describe its connection to Roma’s life, and our life!

The shape of the stone looks like a sail and rough surface on each side like waves.

Yes, that was our life. We were sailing thru it together for 56 years (wedding rings and the date in the centre of the stone)!

Our life had some ups and downs similar to a boat rolling over the waves but, we always, always confidently moved forward!

Roma had many interests in his life, but his passion since he was in his 30th was Artificial Intelligence (AI) and continued thru his life. He was one of the pioneers in this area, developing a few applications that were ahead of their time and working on algorithms how to teach computer learn like humans! This passion represented here by picture of the brain with letters “AI” inside.

We loved traveling. We were traveling around the world by cars, and cruise ships, but traveling by sailing boats was another passion for Roma! He admired enormous open ocean. He liked jumping and swimming in deep water like a fish.

He loved when boat was moving and he was sitting on a bow and felt wind blowing in his face and being overwhelmed with the feeling of flying or; at night moving quietly under the stars, watching galaxies, constellations and feeling that you are part of this universe! These were amazing feelings and reflected in Monument as well!! (little boat under stars)

Roma loved reading, but he also enjoined composing poetries and songs where he expressed his thoughts and feelings for friends and loved ones.

One of his poem/songs was dedicated to me on my birthday. It is represented here by just two lines :

“Елочка любимая … самая красивая …

счастье это значит быть всегда с тобой”

English :

“…the most beautiful beloved Elochka .. happiness means … always being with you “

That is why a “elochka” (xmas) tree was carved in this stone and we are together forever!

“we laughed a lot lot…

we loved each other…

we lived happy life...

we are together forever”

I missed him so much, but I am happy that we lived very active, challenging, exciting, interesting life and I have many wonderful memories. I’m always happy to share them with someone and mostly with my children and grandchildren!

Thank you all who is reading this post and remembering Roman.