Obituary of PAUL SOLTYS

April 13, 1935 – January 27, 2024

It is with broken hearts we say goodbye to a husband, father, brother, Uncle, Gigi and Great Gigi. On January 27,2024, Pawlo (Paul) left us peacefully and finally pain free with his family at his side. He was born on April 13,1935 and was 88 years old. He was predeceased by his parents, who came from Kyiv, Ukraine, Dymtro and Lena Soltys and was also predeceased by numerous brothers and sisters.

He leaves to remember him in memories and our hearts his wife of 63 years, Myrtle (Hnatchuk) , 4 daughters, Sheri(Lorne), Brenda (Byron), Mona (Wally) and Dana. His pride and joys of 10 grandchildren, Chad, Justin, Tyler, Ryan, Melissa, Tyson, Breanna, Ciera, Liam and Eric. As well, 5 great grandchildren, Bentley, Leah, Ariana, Harriet and Jackson. All whom he adored. He cherished his role of GiGi. Also left to mourn him are his Sisters, Brothers, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Dad grew up on their homestead in Foley Manitoba and loved to have a good time at Crabby Steve’s in his younger years when he eventually met the love of his life of 63 years Myrtle, from Komarno, Manitoba and were married on November 19,1960. Paul worked hard to support his family in the mines for many years until they moved into the city and there his passion was welding where he worked at Greensteel Industries and later at Fort Garry industries.

Upon retirement Paul’s hobby was working on small engine repair of lawnmowers, snowblowers, rototillers anything that needed fixing, a skill he passed down to his son-in-law Lorne. In the early days Winnipeg Beach was the place to be. Later on Paul loved his Saturday gatherings with friends and family on Garlies Ave playing the guitar, singing and having a few diboshas! A good time was always had at The Narrows visiting Uncle Steve and Aunty Margaret’s cabin.

As time went on, Paul and Myrtle also loved their summer Sunday drives garage saling and then Lockport for a hot dog with his sister Pauline and one of his Best friends, Walter.
He was very skilled in tinkering, fixing, building and repairing things and taught the son-in-laws his many talents.

More recently, he loved sitting with mom listening to his country music channel while holding hands, or just feeding the rabbits and the birds that visited the yard, no matter the weather he made sure they were fed. He also enjoyed chasing the squirrels and the cats from the yard. He was an avid Blue Bomber and Jets fan (when they were winning). He loved having visits and celebrations with the family. Family was everything to him. He was the happiest when surrounded by his loved ones. He always kept you laughing. He would always be the jokester making us laugh even till his last breath. We would ask dad “what’s new” his reply was New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey …..Paul would give you the shirt off his back (clean or dirty). His kindness and heart of gold will never be forgotten. It was never goodbye from him , it was always “God Bless you” .

Gigi, is our forever, our super-man, our hero, our strength, the Boss man, a jokester, a loving husband, dad, brother, uncle and friend who will be greatly missed and has left a huge hole in our hearts as he has been called home now. He was ready for his wings, our hearts were not. Go rest high on that mountain Dad, until we meet again.

Our heartfelt thank you to the Seven Oakes Hospital Emergency teams and the team on the 5th floor Unit 1 Hospice care for all their compassion and care in his last few weeks to both Paul and his family.

At Paul’s request, cremation has taken place. A Prayer/celebration of life service will take place on Monday February 5, 2024 at 2:00 pm in Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street.

“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.”