Obituary of WALTER (PROKY) PROKOPANKO

WALTER (PROKY) PROKOPANKO January 27, 1930 – December 16, 2015 With great sadness and sorrow we announce that, Walter Prokopanko, son of Fedor and Ksenia Prokopanko and loving husband of Virginia, died on December 16th at the Riverview Health Center, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. His strength, character and love will always be remembered by his caring wife Virginia (nee Melnychuk), and two sons; Jim (Bonnie) and Richard (Jacquie). Walter is also survived by two grandsons Christopher (Allisa) and Matt from Minneapolis, Minnesota and a granddaughter Meagan from Vancouver, British Columbia. Walter also had one beautiful great granddaughter Cora, daughter of grandson Christopher (Allisa). He is also survived by his sisters in law, Sylvia and Joan Prokopanko, Emelia Parashin, Olga Callaghan, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his older brother William and his younger brother Theodore. Walter’s entire life was spent in Winnipeg where he attended school in the north end and first worked for Canadian National Railway and then moved into the wholesale lumber business. Walter gave endless years of service to the Knights of Columbus Ukrainian St Josaphat’s Council 4138 where he became a Grand Knight and the District Deputy Grand Knight and was a life-long member of Blessed Virgin Mary Church. Walter retired in 1982 and with his free time he loved to make wooden toys and puzzles. His famous wooden rocking horses are in families all over the city and beyond. He loved his cottage at Falcon Lake. It was truly his happy place where he enjoyed fishing, boating and great summer days with his family and many friends. Walter’s family would like to thank Monsignor Buyachok and Rev. Bashutskyy for being at his side just before he passed. In addition we thank the entire excellent and caring medical staff at the Riverview Hospital. The staff were professional, knowledgeable and made his last days and hours so peaceful and dignified. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Monday December 21 at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 965 Boyd Ave. Interment to follow in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Blessed Virgin Mary Building Fund or a favorite cancer charity in the name of Walter Prokopanko. Walter, we will miss you so much, thanks to you, the Lake will always be a special place to all of us.