Obituary of NICHOLAS WINCHAR

NICHOLAS WINCHAR The family of Nicholas Winchar are saddened to announce the passing of our dear Nicholas on Monday, November 2, 2015 at the Concordia Hospital. Nicholas was born on July 27, 1927 in Oreshkiwchi, Povit Beberka, Ukraine. At 2 years of age he accompanied his older brother John and mother Anna on a transatlantic voyage that would bring him to Canada. He then spent his boyhood days in Komarno, MB where farming became the livelihood of his parents. At the age of 14, he decided to leave Komarno and venture to Winnipeg to become a bell boy at the St. Charles Hotel. He eventually travelled to Kenora, ON to become a bell boy at the Kenricia Hotel. Further travels took him to Pickle Crow Lake where he spent time in the gold mines as a driller. After returning to Winnipeg and working at Swift’s Canada, he became a taxi driver and married Mary Wishniwecki who became his lifelong wife for 66 years of marriage. Dad spent most of his following employment days with Canadian Pacific Railway, retiring as a yard foreman/switchman after 34 years of service. Retirement took him and Mary to Kelowna, BC where they enjoyed 26 years of living in the Okanagan Valley. He became active with the Knights of Columbus in Kelowna for 25 years and returned to Winnipeg in 2010. Nicholas was very proud of his various accomplishments. His brother John and himself operated a gravel truck that contributed to road building on #16 highway and #5 highway northwest of Winnipeg. He was president of the St. Joseph’s Choir and a fund raising project contributed to the fabrication of the tabernacle replica of the church that is present on the main altar of St. Joseph’s. He spent 13 years operating his “Green Thumb Nursery” with his wife and sons in St. Andrews in addition to a sub-division of collective properties with 2 other neighbours into multiple 1 ½ acre lots. “Fergowin” road is a collective endeavor by Mr. Ferguson, Gowriluk and Winchar and stands as a testament to their efforts. He enjoyed travelling in his motor home with his wife and visited many centres of attractions. Nicholas was predeceased by his parents, Wasyl and Anna Wiwchar; brother John; and sister-in-law Olga; sister Anita Wiwchar; and baby Nicholas. He is survived by his wife Mary of 66 years; brother Bishop Michael Wiwchar, CSsR; sons, Christopher and Dr. Allan Winchar (Lori), as well as, grandsons, Brad (Kristee), Gavin (Tiffany), Cory and Kolia Winchar; and great-grandchildren, Ellica, Hailey, Maya, Dominic and Jagger. The family would like to extend their appreciation to the doctors and staff at the St. Boniface and Concordia Hospitals for attending to the needs of our father and allowing him comfort during this most difficult time. Prayers will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Divine Liturgy Mass will be celebrated Friday, November 6, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 250 Jefferson Avenue. Interment at Glen Eden Cemetery following the service. Donations are gratefully accepted in our father’s memory to the Shrine of Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky, CSsr, 250 Jefferson Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2V0M6 or to the Canadian Cancer Society (Bladder cancer), 193 Sherbrook Str., Winnipeg, MB R3C2B7. “Let his memory live on forever” “Vichnaya Pam’Yat”