John Remniak

John Remniak passed away peacefully at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre at the age of 81 years.

He is survived by his loving wife Betty, his daughter Stephanie of Edmonton AB, his sister Eva Didychuk of Prince Rupert BC, his brother Micheal (Joyce) of Brandon MB and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

He was predeceased by his parents Bill and Mary (Tymchuk) Remniak and brother-in-laws Joe Didychuk and Adam Safronetz.

John was born on October 13, 1942 in Horyn, Manitoba. He was the first child of Bill and Mary Remniak where they lived on their family farm.

John attended Horyn school from grades one to nine, then completed grades ten to twelve at the Rorketon School. After graduating from high school, he received a Manitoba Teacher’s permit to teach in Wekusko for one year. Followed by another permit teaching job at Freedale School. The following year he moved to Winnipeg to obtain his teaching certificate at the Teacher’s College in Tuxedo in Winnipeg. After that he acquired a teaching position at Prince Edward School in East Kildonan in Winnipeg. In 1965, he moved back to Rorketon and taught at the Rorketon School. While teaching in Rorketon he started to work on his Bachelor of Arts and Education degrees over ten summers finishing in 1977.  He taught at the Rorketon School for 30 years when he finally retired in 1995. In the fall of 1995, he worked for Ducks Unlimited doing some part-time field work. Then in 1996, he started working part-time at Hanchar’s store in Rorketon as they needed some extra help. Finally in 1998 he decided to be officially retired.

In 1971, John met Betty Safronetz while she was working at the Rorketon School and they were married in 1973. The staff and students at the Rorketon School were overjoyed with happiness when this happened. In 1978, they welcomed a daughter named Stephanie.

John was very active in the Horyn Catholic Church, the Rorketon Drop-in Center and St. Lawrence Knights of Columbus where he was the Treasurer for the council for 25 years.

John devoted many hours to his big lawn and garden. He planted enough vegetables in his garden to supply Rorketon, Ste. Rose and Dauphin stores.

John treasured hunting and fishing season. He always planned hunting trips with his buddies. He had a passion for taking photos and loved taking pictures of nature and flowers. He enjoyed being outdoors quadding and ski-dooing. When John had some spare time, he loved to travel and explore historical towns and communities.

John cherished playing cards with his Horyn neighbors. They would always play for money, but for only a quarter per game and nothing more than that.

In 2011, John and Betty sold the acreage and moved to Dauphin for another big yard and garden to enjoy their retirement together.

A Funeral Liturgy was held on April 11th at 11 am at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Resurrection, with the Very Reverend Father Oleg Bodnarski officiating.  Inurnment followed in the Dauphin Riverside Cemetery.

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