Obituary of Ernest KUSHNIARYK

ERNEST ROBERT KUSHNIARYK 1925 - 2009 It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Ernest Robert Kushniaryk (Ernie) at Seven Oaks Hospital on August 26, 2009 after a short illness. He leaves to mourn his wife of 43 years, Lillian (nee Karpynka) and his daughter, Lisa (Ken Hansen). He also will be missed by his cousin and friend Bruce York of Winnipeg; Alice Jedinak and family of Minneapolis; Lenore Barren (George) and family of Chicago; Ted Sankey of Kansas City, MO.; Boris Malanchuk (Joan) and family of Toronto; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jeanette and Keith Dryburgh and family; and other relatives and friends in Canada, U.S.A. and Ukraine. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Pearl Kushniaryk. Ernie was born in Portage la Prairie, MB on July 2, 1925 and spent his early childhood in Oakland, MB. When he was 12 years old, his family moved to Portage la Prairie where he received his later education. He was athletic in his youth and in 1942, won the international championship in running and broke the international record in shot put at Portage Collegiate Institute. Throughout his life, Ernie's friends in Portage la Prairie were very important to him. He tried to keep in contact with them as much as possible, reliving old times. On August 13, 1966, he married his wife, Lillian, and they spent 43 happy years together. Their lives became complete when their daughter, Lisa, was born. Ernie was very proud of her accomplishments in so many various fields and he thought of her husband, Ken, as the son he never had. Ernie was employed by Kepron's Audio Visual, which he eventually purchased and operated under the name of Centennial Audio Visual. He handled sales, rentals and service of Bell & Howell equipment in Manitoba, working with some the top hotels in Winnipeg. Always interested in history, Ernie enjoyed exploring family roots and honouring Ukrainian traditions. Among other pastimes, he was an avid fisherman and was one of the founding members of the Arlington Sports Club, enjoying the fellowship of other members very much. Ernie was involved with the Masons. He was a Master Mason in Beaver Ionic Lodge #25, Prince of Wales Chapter #11, Mount Carmel Preceptory #444, Cyprus Council #2 Cryptic Rite, and a Shriner in the Khartum Temple in which he was an active member of the "101" unit. In 1981, Ernie was awarded a plaque in appreciation of his exceptional contributions to the Khartum Temple Shrine Circus. He was also recognized by the Masons with a certificate and 50-year pin of membership in the Masonic order. Ernie and Lillian loved to travel together and visited numerous places. Hawaii, Nassau, Mexico, Florida, California, Arizona and tropical cruising, to name a few. On June 28, 2009, Ernie fell and broke his hip. Surgery was successfully performed but further complications developed and he never left the hospital. Ernie fought very hard to return to good health but finally had to admit defeat and passed away at Seven Oaks Hospital on the afternoon of August 26 with his wife at his side. We would like to thank the doctors and staff of Seven Oaks Hospital for their compassionate care. Special thanks to my sister and her husband, Jeanette and Keith Dryburgh, for always being there. In accordance with Ernie's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family interment will occur at a later date. A memorial service will be held at the Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, on Tuesday, September 8 at 11:00 a.m. Flowers are gratefully declined. If so desired, donations may be made in Ernie's memory to a charity of your choice.