DAVID TODORUK

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DAVID (CHAMP) TODORUK With great sadness, we announce the passing of our brother, David Todoruk, on Saturday, January 23, 2016, in Pattaya, Thailand, four days after his 70th birthday. Dave was born in Winnipeg in 1946, and lived his entire life in Transcona. He is survived by his brothers, Boris and Jim Todoruk, and sister, Jeanne Todoruk. He was predeceased by his parents, William and Florence, sister Josephine (Josie) Manza and infant brothers, Paul and Stanley. "Champ", as he was known throughout his life, was employed by CN Rail, beginning as a porter, then a switchman, a brakeman and, finally, as a conductor, retiring in 2001. He was an avid sports fan and supported both minor and professional sports. His home could be considered a mini sports museum. The history of hockey, football and baseball were depicted in the dozens and dozens of newspaper clippings, posters, magazine articles and autographed pictures, covering decades, lining the walls of his recreational area. He also had a massive collection of sports memorabilia of which he was very proud, including hockey, football and baseball card collections, jerseys, pins and photographs. As well, he kept a collection of golf balls and towels with the logos of the courses he visited around the world. Champ himself participated in sports from a very young age and, over the years, won many trophies for his athletic abilities. He began with Little League Baseball and many years of hockey at the East End Community Club. As an adult, he played for several years in the Intermediate Hockey League with the Transcona Turbos. He also played fastball with a number of friends in the Men's Industrial B and C League, and attended many tournaments around the province. The annual curling event he began at the Springfield Curling Club was a rousing success and a highly anticipated event. Champ was also an excellent golfer and was a member of the Pine Ridge Golf Club for the past 28 years. He spent countless hours as a volunteer at the club, assisting with both indoor renovations and the maintenance of the grounds. In addition to sports, Dave also had a great passion for making wine. He became quite an expert and it was always a pleasure to receive a bottle of his wine. He also had a huge movie and music collection. Champ was a very sociable, outgoing person who made friends easily but maintained very close friendships with those he grew up with in Transcona. He held many get-togethers at his home and in his backyard, and there was rarely a picture taken without a big smile on his face. He will be greatly missed by so many people. Dave loved to travel and took many winter vacations to Mexico and Florida, as well as golf trips to Texas and Arizona. He especially enjoyed the golf vacations he took in Prince Edward Island and British Columbia. For the past few years, he had spent the winters in Pattaya, Thailand, together with friends from Winnipeg and those he met from other countries. Unfortunately, his last trip saw him hospitalized for two months before his passing. This was an extremely difficult time for his family, and for his friends. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to his friends in Pattaya who provided support to Dave and to his family during this time. In particular, we thank Gary Hanaway and Rick Julius for becoming our extended family in Thailand. They not only communicated with us regarding Dave's condition but dealt with the hospital administration and medical staff, and the Canadian Consulate. We also thank Dave's long-time friends, Frank Porco and Clif Evans, for the support and invaluable assistance they provided to the family in Winnipeg. Cremation and a spiritual service were held at the Wat (Temple) Nong O Priest in Pattaya on February 11 and 12, with many friends, from both Canada and Thailand, in attendance. Thank you to Dave's friends, Gary and Lek, for making these arrangements. A Celebration of Life will be held in Winnipeg on April 30 at the Pine Ridge Golf Club, where his ashes will be laid to rest in their Memorial Garden. A reminder of the event will be published closer to that date. If friends so wish, donations in Dave's memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 6 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6. He bade no one a last farewell, He said good-bye to none; The heavenly gates were opened wide, A loving voice said, "Come".

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 20, 2016