Stanley Wepruk

He was born on November 9, 1931 in Sundown, Manitoba to Peter and Mary Wepruk. He was the youngest of a very large family and always considered 13 his lucky number. He met the love of his life and married, Sundown born, Elma Plichta in Fort Frances on October 10, 1953 where they raised their 4 children.

While a young man, Stan tried many occupations from being a teacher, working at the railway, operating a garage in Barwick, developing and building Walleye Trailer Park and finally opening Modern Plumbing and Heating in Fort Frances. In later years he invested in and developed The Fisheries Resort in Bear Pass. The home they built on the point was their pride and joy. He reall loved the lake view that could be seen from every window.

As a child, Stan learned two useful skills. First, he learned to play the guitar and played whenever there was a need for music. Because he was such a tall child, he was playing in bands at bars by the age of 16. Second, his lifelong romance began playing baseball with his brothers. It continued through various leagues and was his favourite retirement activity in Arizona. He played until he was 84 years old. Some years he played on 2 or 3 teams and his knuckle ball was known to injure all.

He was a member of the Kiwanis Club (45 years) taking pride in their good deeds and Sunny Cove Camp activities. He also enjoyed curling.

He was a member of St. George’s Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church. As the congregation got smaller, he took his seat in the choir. He had coffee mornings once a week with a few fellow Ukrainians and they spoke and told stories in their native tongue. He was a master of dad jokes, whisker rubs and pinching baby’s cheeks.

He was so appreciative of being able to travel extensively, from Fiji, Australia, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Bahamas, and wintering in Arizona for 32 years. His travels included meeting with friends and relatives and having good visits everywhere he went. It was never a chore to jump in the car and go.

He was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Mary; his siblings Annie (Carl) Bodnarchuk, Nettie (Philip) Keriluk, Mike, Nick, Kate (John) Keriluk, Helen (John) Ossachuk and Val (Harry) Anderson.

He is survived by his wife Elma; his children Debra (Brian) Gaylord of Fort Frances, Randy (Denise) of Thunder Bay, Frank (Lynn) of Bear Pass and Donna Wieliki of Barrie, Ontario. There are 8 grandchildren and 4.5 great grandchildren, of whom he was most proud of. Also surviving him are his brothers Paul (Alice) and Bill (Dorothy).

Because of Covid a memorial will be held at a later date.