For Charlotte Pilat Burns, keeping her father’s memory alive means more than recalling his life, it means carrying forward what he valued most: family, hard work, and Ukrainian traditions.

William “Billy” Pilat spent his life in the small town of Glaslyn, Saskatchewan, where his roots ran deep. A proud second-generation Ukrainian Canadian, he was the son of William Sr. and Sofia (Lena) Korpach Pilat, whose families emigrated from the L’viv region to the Prairies in the early 1900s.

Billy was well known in Glaslyn as the owner of William Pilat and Sons Garage, originally Glaslyn Garage, which was built and run by his father and other family members. For 70 years, the garage was a cornerstone of the community, closing only shortly after Billy’s passing. Alongside his work there, Billy also spent long hours helping on the family farm, a reflection of his tireless work ethic and devotion to his family.

“He would be happy knowing he played a part in helping others learn and continue what our ancestors brought here.”

While his days were busy, Billy found quiet but meaningful ways to keep Ukrainian traditions alive. He wasn’t the primary family cook, but he made sure Ukrainian dishes were always present at gatherings and holidays. Influenced deeply by his mother, Lena, who taught him and his children Ukrainian cultural crafts and traditions, Billy carried her legacy forward after her passing. He encouraged his children to stay connected to their heritage, continuing to teach these crafts himself and often sharing stories to keep memories and traditions alive. Charlotte also recalls stories of her father attending Ukrainian summer camps where he learned the language, traditional dances, and crafts, experiences that strengthened his cultural pride.

When Charlotte decided to donate to the Ukrainian Museum of Canada in her father’s memory, she knew it was exactly what he would have wanted. “I think my dad would be proud to support the museum,” she shared. “He didn’t get the chance to while he was alive, but he always tried in his own way to keep our traditions alive for his family.”

For Charlotte, this gift is also about the future. “I hope it helps keep our cultural crafts and traditions alive,” she said. “He would be happy knowing he played a part in helping others learn and continue what our ancestors brought here.”

Her connection to the museum runs deeper than this donation. For the past three years, Charlotte has been a dedicated volunteer, bringing fresh energy to programs and often involving her younger family members, ensuring the next generation has opportunities to connect with their heritage.

When Charlotte, her cousins, and four of Billy’s siblings recently visited the museum, the experience left them truly moved. “We were blown away,” she said. “The preservation work, the nostalgia, the stories, it brought us together as a family in such a meaningful way.”

Through her generosity and ongoing involvement, Charlotte is ensuring that her father’s legacy, his love for family, his steadfast work ethic, and his pride in Ukrainian heritage will continue to inspire for years to come.