Dr. Joseph Stasiuk

With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our husband, father, and papa on Monday, July 30, 2018. Joseph Nicholas Stasiuk passed away at the age of 89 with his family by his side.

Left to treasure his memory are his beloved wife Isabell (Munro), his son Hans (Diane), his grandson Andrew, and the family dog, Jasper. Also mourning his loss are his sister-in-law Elsie Stasiuk, his nephew Wally (Delores) Kuzyk as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and patients. Joe was predeceased by his 11 brothers and sisters including his twin sister Gloria who passed away at the age of 19.

Joseph was born on July 29, 1929 in Dauphin, Manitoba. He grew up on the family farm in the Halicz District northwest of Dauphin.

After graduating from high school, Joe attended Normal School in Winnipeg where he graduated in 1949. His teaching career took him to various towns throughout rural Manitoba. In 1956 he moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia to pursue his dream of becoming a dentist. After two years in the Faculty of Science at Dalhousie University Joe was accepted into the Faculty of Dentistry. In 1962 Joseph graduated with his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree.

Upon graduation Joe moved to Portage la Prairie where he purchased Dr. Dalzel’s dental office. Joseph practiced dentistry in Portage la Prairie for 55 years until his retirement in February, 2017. In addition to maintaining a private practice in Portage, Dr. Joe also spent some time as a dentist in St. Claude, Churchill, and Sandy Bay, Manitoba, as well as various communities in Nunavit. He loved being a dentist and helping his patients. Dr. Joe delivered his dental services with proficiency and humor. His patients always knew him to be caring, honest, respectful, and thoughtful. He often said “there was never a morning that I woke up and didn’t want to go to the office!”

While going to school in Halifax, Joe met the love of his life, Isabell Munro. They were married on July 4, 1964. He always said “on the day the Americans gained their independence, I lost mine!” In September, 1965 Joe and Isabell welcomed Hans into their lives. That was the happiest day of Joe’s life until his grandson Andrew came along in 2003.

Joe’s favorite pastime was spending time with his grandson. He did everything for Andrew. Papa and Andrew were often inseparable. He was his caregiver, chauffeur, teacher, mentor, golf partner, and biggest supporter of all his athletic activities.

Although he loved dentistry Dr. Joe had other interests as well. He was never one to shy away from an adventure. Joe travelled to the Ukraine twice to explore his ancestral heritage. He also travelled extensively throughout Canada (all ten provinces and one territory) and the USA. Joe loved to take off in his car for 2-3 days and go to visit his relatives and friends in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. He always looked forward to his winters with his family in Palm Springs, California. Joe also enjoyed spending his summers for the past 40 years relaxing and entertaining friends in the family backyard pool.

Joe enjoyed watching sports including hockey, baseball, and basketball but he was passionate about football. He was a Winnipeg Blue Bomber season ticket holder since 1979 and attended 31 Grey Cups.

His suturing skills in dentistry transferred over into sewing. Although he loved to make many different products, he was most famous for sewing ties for himself, his family, and his friends.

Joseph loved his dogs. He had two dogs growing up and then welcomed four dogs into our family over a forty -year span. He faithfully walked his friends every day and, any time he went for a car ride, he was certain to take his four-legged best friends with him.

Throughout the 1970’s and the early 1980’s Joe was very active with both the provincial and federal Progressive Conservative Parties in the Portage area. Locally he was a member of both the Chamber of Commerce and the Lion’s Club. He was a past board member of the Manitoba Dental Association. Joe was also very active with the Trinity United Church and the local Ukrainian Community. His longest volunteer commitment, however, was with the local Cancer organizations. He started out as a volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society in Portage in 1992. When its office eventually closed, Joe played an integral role in founding the Central Plains Cancer Care organization in 1998.

We will all remember Joe as an extraordinarily kind and generous man who always tried to do what was best.

A heartfelt thanks for all the compassion and understanding extended to Joe by all the home care workers, nurses, Dr. Quesada, Dr. Ross, Dr. Kinnear, Dr. Bristow, Dr. Koul, Dr. Czaykowski, the Central Plains Cancer Services (including all the drivers), and countless friends.

A service to celebrate Joe’s life will be held on Friday, August 17, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Trinity United Church with Reverend Julie Baker officiating. Interment will take place at Hillside Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers as expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Joseph’s memory to the Trinity United Church, 15 Tupper Street S, Portage la Prairie, MB  R1N 1W7 or Central Palins Cancer Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com