Bernard Peter Zakaluk

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of our devoted husband and father, Berny on Friday, March 1st after a fulfilling life. He was eighty-eight years old and the Rock of Gibraltar to all of us. In addition to his quick wit, he was a thinker, a natural, and could fix anything. He would examine what needed repair from every angle, then go about putting it back in working order, watches, whatever, you name it! One of Berny’s fortes was his wonderful success after success in the kitchen. One of his son’s friends referred to him as a gourmet cook. His particular specialties were Christmas Eve borsch, tomato aspic, and homemade garlic bread. Thanks to his sister-in-law, Margaret Graham, he was a breadmaker, par excellence.

Berny is survived by his wife Beverley; and three sons Jeff of Calgary, Graham (Mary) of Winnipeg, and Robert (Sandra) of Winnipeg. He will be mourned by his four granddaughters Christine (Stephen Pratt), Paige, Hailey, and Hannah; and his two sisters Mary Gerus of Calgary and Donna Ferriss of Winnipeg. He will be fondly remembered by his nieces Penny and her husband Don Basarowich, Bonnie and husband Ernie Diplock of Windsor, Ontario, his nephews Leslie and Robert Fiedler of British Columbia, and his nephew Craig. He is also survived by cousins, Wilma Macleod and Marie Arvelin of Thunder Bay and Joanne Husiak of Winnipeg. He was pre-deceased by his brother Joe and his brother-in-law Albert Ferriss.

Berny met his wife Beverley in the Fall of 1951. She was the grade one teacher, while he taught junior high in the then isolated community of Bisset, Manitoba, the home of the San Antonio gold mines. Unknowingly to one another, both Bev and Berny were taking University correspondence courses. She remembers that he had a portable typewriter, something she had never thought of, but was still impressed by. Bernie used his typewriter for history term papers while Beverley wrote her English papers by hand.

A favourite courtship reminiscence was casting for fish from a rock. Bev was glowing because she had a fish on the line, only to find that Berny was reeling one in, too. Fishing was so plentiful at then isolated Wallace Lake. Berny excelled at sports, playing both hockey and baseball.

Berny and Bev were married in 1955. Among the most vivid memories of Berny with the kids were when Jeff was water skiing at Lake Brereton, playing baseball with Graham in front of the house, and fishing with Robert. Berny was an outdoors man. After cutting down the Christmas tree in the Sandilands Forest Reserve, a happy time was frying eggs on the Coleman with Gramma Graham – great fun in the quiet dead of winter sitting in the cold and snow.

Berny received his bachelor and master’s degrees from the University of North Dakota where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Later he completed all of the course requirements for a doctoral degree in School Administration at the University of Minnesota. He was the physical education supervisor in the Norwood School Division as well as teaching at the high school level.

He was instrumental in seeing the establishment of a track for Nelson Mac students. As an extra curricular activity, Berny coached the basketball team starting Saturday mornings when students were in Junior High until their graduation from High School. His wonderful students honoured him at the end of their grade 12 with a commemorative plaque.

Berny finished his teaching career in the Winnipeg School Division at Weston School where he continued serving as an educator and coach. He later became business manager at Saint Andrews, Ukrainian Greek Orthodox College.

In addition to teaching, Berny was a founding member of the Manitoba, Provincial High School Athletic Association. He served as president of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church in Stead, Manitoba and with the help of other members, organized their sixtieth anniversary celebration. This church was founded in 1937 by committed parishioners, among them his mother and father, Steve and Anastasia Zakaluk.

In accordance with Berny’s wishes, his remains were cremated and a family memorial service was held on Friday March 8th, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard, presided over by the Venerable Simon Blaikie of St George’s Anglican Church, Crescentwood.

In lieu of flowers, if friends so wish, donations may be sent to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 1379 Kenaston Blvd, Winnipeg, MB R3P 2T5