Obituary of LLOYD SHINDRUK

Lloyd W. Shindruk

June 15, 1936 - June 22, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Lloyd W. Shindruk announces his passing on June 22, 2024 in Winnipeg. 

He will be deeply missed by his loving wife Zenova of 64 years and his children, Cheryl (John), Charlene (Bruno), Charlotte, Sheldon, Sheridan; his granddaughter Chloe (Stephen) and great granddaughters, Annika and baby Zenova.  He is survived by his brothers Bob (Muriel) and Tom (Sonja). And also by nephew Randy (Kim), niece Tracy and nephew Bruce and numerous nephews and nieces on the Huculak side of the family.  He will be also missed by his beloved extended family Alison (Gareth) Gibbins and their sons Griffin and Galen; Andrew Livey and his daughter Ava, Desiree (Avery) Deleau and Nathaniel (Amanda) Deleau. He was predeceased by his nephews Rick Shindruk and Edward Shindruk.

Lloyd was born of Ukrainian heritage in Sandy Lake, Manitoba to Bill and Mary (nee Andreychuk) Shindruk.  He was raised on the family farm with his brothers Bob and Tom. It was in Sandy Lake that he met the love of his life, Zenova Huculak and they were married on August 1, 1959.  He began his career as a grain buyer with Manitoba Pool Elevators, and managed grain elevators in Sandy Lake, Elphinstone, Eden, Moline and Dauphin.

Thereafter, he embarked on a new direction in the hospitality industry. Together with his brother Bob and their families, they purchased two properties: Hotel San Antonio in Bissett and Lakeview Hotel in St. Laurent.

In 1971, with a growing family, he and Zenova left the hotel industry and bought a general country store in Great Falls, MB, “Shindruk’s Self-Serve and Foodtown”.  While raising their young family, they grew the business from a simple grocery store to one that included a full-service butcher shop and deli with event catering, liquor vendor, gas station, post office and summer chip stand.  Lloyd was the best butcher and postmaster in town!  He took great pride in doing business with international fly-in fishing groups, fulfilling their extensive grocery, meat, produce and beverage requirements, enroute to their remote camps in northern Manitoba. 

Lloyd was instrumental in delivering fresh piped drinking water for the residents of Poplar Avenue.  The Poplar Avenue Water System continues to this day, still having a positive impact on the lives of many.  He was endlessly generous with his time and volunteered for numerous community events for the 20 great years the family was in Great Falls.

With Zenova, ever his equal partner in life and business, they then bought a GrowerDirect franchise and established a new flower shop in Winnipeg, which they owned and operated with their eldest son Sheldon for ten years.  They then retired to their home on the Winnipeg River in Leisure Falls, MB. 

Never wanting to be idle, and with a curiosity about the north, in 1997 he took on the role of relief butcher for Northern Stores. His first posting was in Cambridge Bay, NWT (now Nunavat).

In 2016, wanting to be closer to city services and amenities, they settled in East St. Paul, MB.

Nothing was impossible to Lloyd.  Driven by a strong work ethic, he took on new challenges with positivity and enthusiasm. He encouraged his children to do the same.  He had an insatiable and genuine curiosity and cared deeply about people, places and things, a characteristic that enabled him to connect with people from every walk of life. 

Lloyd was creative and produced reams of beautifully coloured images.  He also had a knack for repurposing the most mundane of objects, converting them into impressive works of art like his 25-foot bottle tree sculpture, which was the subject of an article published in Our Canada.  He was a beautiful dancer and with his partner Zenova, smoothly graced many a dance floor.

Lloyd was an Honourary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus, embracing their mission for fellowship and helping those less fortunate. 

On behalf of Lloyd, the family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at St. Boniface Hospital who provided palliative care in his last days and to the many doctors who cared for him over the past two years:  Dr. Morantz, Dr. Zhang, Dr. Parr, Dr. Foster, Dr. Mazurat, Dr. Lin Yang, Dr. Kotb, Dr. Dunsmore, Dr. Bovell, Dr. Debroni, Dr. Rehsia, Home Care coordinator Naomi and his granddaughter Chloe, a nursing professional, who stood beside her Gigi day and night.

Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of Lloyd’s life on Sunday, June 30, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, Winnipeg.  Livestreaming available on Lloyd’s obituary page at www.cropo.com.  In lieu of flowers, donations to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation or a charity of choice will be greatly appreciated.