Obituary of JAMES (JIM) PESTRAK

JAMES (JIM) PESTRAK

Peacefully, with his family by his side, James (Jim) Pestrak passed away on Friday, February 23^rd, 2018.

James was born in Teulon, Manitoba on May 28, 1928 to John and Teenie Pestrak. James is survived by his wife Margaret of 66 years, son Wayne (Victoria 1956-2008), grandsons Mikel (Tranda), David (Megan), and great grandchildren Seth, Levi, and Selah, along with his sister Christine Singbeil, sisters-in-law Evelyn Pestrak and Pauline Ignash, brother in law Greg Zuk, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. James was pre-deceased by his parents, daughter in law Victoria, and his siblings Mary (Selluski), Olga (Skoby), Katie (Singbeil), Pauline (Carlson), Sophie, John, Peter, Fred, Stanley, Michael, and five other siblings who passed away shortly after birth.

Jim grew up in Narcisse, MB where he met his wife Margaret in 1947. She was a school teacher from Poplarfield, MB, which is where they were married in 1951. Jim worked in the manufacturing industry and spent the majority of his career at E.H. Price Ltd, and also spent a number of years as the Plant Superintendent at Silverline. Post-retirement, he volunteered his time in a number of capacities for Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, most notably working as Building Manager for over 10 years.  Coming from a large family himself, Jim was a family man. After his grandchildren Mikel and David were born, he devoted much of his time to their lives, encouraging and supporting them in all of their numerous passions, whether it be sports, school, music, or otherwise. Jim was a lead by example type of person, and through his actions, continually fostered qualities of commitment, hard work, kindness, and joy, traits that live on through his grandchildren. Jim was very creative and had many talents that included building willow furniture and custom birdhouses. He enjoyed antiquing and collecting, and he loved spending time in the garden and tending to his grape-vines, which produced some of the best jam around. In Jim’s later years, he was thrilled to have the opportunity to spend some quality years with his great-grandchildren.

The family would like to extend many thanks to the staff in the SICU at Health Sciences Centre. Special thanks to Dr. Mark Oppenheimer for his exceptional care in looking after Jim.

The family gratefully declines flowers; however, if so desired, donations can be made to the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral.

The funeral service will be on Friday March 2^nd at 10am at the Cathedral (1175 Main St.), interment to follow in Glen Eden Memorial Gardens. Reception after the interment will be at the Cathedral at 12:15pm. Additional parking at the church is available behind Shoppers Drug Mart.