John Kuryk

Happy to be joining his family already in heaven, John Kuryk, of Newton Siding, MB has passed away at the age of 98 years.

John’s parents, Nick and Lena, came to Manitoba from the Ukraine at a young age.  John was born in Winnipeg, MB, on March 20, 1922.  His fondest memories as a child came from living for a short couple of years in Chicago, where his parents worked days and nights, and John was free to play hooky with his friends in the streets of the big city.

His family came back to Manitoba, and rejoined friends and relatives who had moved to the area surrounding Newton.  There, they were able to buy some land and John’s lifetime love of farming began.  Sadly, his father, Nick, passed away in 1942.  And his younger brother, Walter tragically passed away in 1965, leaving to mourn his wife, Loretta, and six children.  Having no kids of his own, and sharing a love of the farm, John and Loretta married in 1969.  They had one daughter in 1972.  In addition to farming, John worked many years at the Manitoba Developmental School in Portage la Prairie, in the Housekeeping Dept.

Having lived through the vast changes and modernizations of the past century, John always cherished the traditional ways of life.  He liked plain and simple surroundings, and ‘made do’ with the littlest of possessions.  He cherished family and life on the farm.  He is now free of the severe depression which plagued him for so many years, and is happily reunited with beloved family and friends who have passed before him.  John was also predeceased by his mother Lena and stepdaughter Penny Verwey.

He leaves behind his daughter, Stacy Kuryk; and also Walter and Loretta’s children, Laura Kuryk, Robin Kuryk, Richard Kuryk, Randy Kuryk and Darryl Kuryk, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Portage General Hospital, Swan Lake Hospital and the Lions Prairie Manor for their medical care and support.  We would also like to thank all of the Elm River Hutterite Colony, especially the family of Reuben and Elizabeth Hofer, who were very close neighbours over the years, and their remarkable son Ron Hofer, who had become John’s friend, companion and caregiver in recent years.

A private graveside service will be held in the spring at the Oakville Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in John’s memory to the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba, 100 - 4 Fort Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 1C4.

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