Life has changed drastically for brothers Wes and Wilf Michalycia. It will change even more when they are released from hospital.
But a trust fund put in place for the former St. Albert residents will help them get back on their feet, says sister Rachael Froese.
Wes and Wilf were working with their cousin Jason on water and plumbing lines at a construction site in Fort Saskatchewan on Feb. 21, when an explosion from a gas leak hit them.
Wes, 48, suffered 60 per cent burns to his body, causing internal damage to his kidneys and colon.
Wilf, 45, suffered 90 per cent burns to his body and lost parts of his fingers.
Jason Michalycia, 33, died of his injuries on Feb. 22. The cause of the gas leak is under investigation
“(Wilf) is fighting so much. It’s unbelievable how much he is pushing through this,” Froese says.
“I think their lifestyle will change. They may, especially Wilf, may have to do certain modifications with different things just to be able to function on a day-to-day basis.”
Wes and Wilf Michalycia were Grandin boys, growing up in St. Albert with their parents, brother and sister before moving to Fort Saskatchewan and Edmonton.
Froese said she is not sure how many people in St. Albert know about the accident but they have good friends in the community.
Wilf loved golfing and is known as a goalie, playing hockey in St. Albert.
“I can see him once he comes out of this just enjoying life that much more,” Froese says.
“Hopefully he’ll be able to do golfing and hot tubbing. He loves to hot tub.”
Wes has a passion for cars, redoing and trimming them. Froese says the family is concerned that he may not be able to work on them any more when he gets out of the hospital.
“Although he enjoyed golf it did not enjoy him, I think,” she laughs.
“Him and my father, all the boys, they always went golfing.”
The brothers will stay at the University of Alberta hospital for seven months to a year, before moving to the Glenrose rehabilitation hospital.
Once released, Froese says Wilf may not be able to go back to plumbing, though he could start his own business.
“That wouldn’t be something that would be hard for me to see him doing. That could be something he could do,” she says.
“Wes, I don’t know at this particular point what he would do.”
Charlene Zoltenko, a friend of Wes and his wife, started the Michalycia family trust fund.
Froese says she has been a huge support to the family and also organized a fundraiser for Wes at the Royal Canadian Legion in Fort Saskatchewan on Friday. The fundraiser sold out 250 tickets and collected $15,000.
Zoltenko said she started the trust fund for all three families after being approached by a number of people who wanted to give money.
“Their lifestyle will change so drastically once they are home,” she says.
“When it comes to Jason, he is no longer with us, his wife can use that toward any funeral expenses or bills that may be piling up.”
On April 6, a silent auction for Wilf will be held at Oscar’s Pub in Sherwood Park. In the spring, his friends may also hold a golf fundraiser in St. Albert.
Anyone wanting to donate to the Michalycia family trust fund can give money to account number 605 9306, TD Bank branch 8313.
Zoltenko said the trust fund will run until the end of April and will be split evenly among the three families.
