VICTOR MARTINENKO

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VICTOR MARTINENKO It's with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Victor Martinenko in Westbank, BC on May 1, 2017 at the age of 78. Victor was born in the Ukraine, immigrating to Canada as a child with his parents in 1948. He served his country in the Navy and later became an electrician and travelled throughout North America with his job and finally settled in with CP Rail. Victor married Sarah Benita in Selkirk, Manitoba on August 31, 1979. When Victor and Benita both retired, they chose to live in Peachland, BC where they both built and landscaped two homes. Victor loved to garden and make wine and was also a great bread maker of various kinds (But it was always a secret recipe). He greatly enjoyed music, watching movies and spending time with his family. Victor was predeceased by his parents, George and Clara Martinenko and his stepson James Fey. He will be missed by his wife Sarah Benita; his brothers, Wally and Anthony; his son Shane (Linda); daughter Tanya; stepson David (Kerry) Fey; stepdaughter Patty (Daryl) Sheets; grandchildren, Anthony, Sherisse, Chandelle, Michelle, Christopher, Corrina, Jennifer; and his great-grandson Christopher. Cremation has taken place and interment will be scheduled in Kelowna at a future date.
Publish Date: May 20, 2017

VICTOR MARTINENKO April 7, 1939 - May 1, 2017 To My Father, Victor Martinenko, who I lost suddenly in Kelowna, BC. Words cannot express a loss of this magnitude, so I just want to say a few words of thanks for the special little things my dad brought to my life. Thank you for being patient and playing silly games with me as a child; for carrying me on your shoulders everywhere we went; for teaching me how to swim, play crib, and for being the voice of Herman, the talking stuffed lion. Thank you for giving me my love of food, for teaching me the right way to make fettuccine carbonara; the best borscht on the planet; the world's most amazing perogies; and for eating halvah with me out of a tin. Thank you for having such great taste in movies; for introducing me to Runaway Train, Apocalypse Now, and Scarface; for letting me stay up late to watch the Chiller Thriller even though my mom told you not to; and for enlightening me that yes indeed, Snake Pliskin is one of the coolest dudes ever. Thank you for the music and for impromptu disco dancing nights listening to Donna Summer in the living room. Most of all, thank you for always being there, for being kind and loving, and for being my dad. What a surprise to find your letter waiting in my mailbox upon returning home from BC after attending your memorial. I will always treasure your final words to me as well as all the memories. I will miss you always. Love your daughter, Tanya

Publish Date: May 13, 2017

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 20, 2017