GERALD SOPUCK

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GERALD SOPUCK Gerald Sopuck passed away peacefully in the early morning of December 24, 2005, very shortly after being admitted to the Palliative Care unit of St. Paul's Hospital, Saskatoon. Gerald, known to most of us as Tati, recently celebrated his 91st birthday. Tati was always surrounded by love. Gerald married Anne Teply, the love of his life, in 1946. Gerald and Anne had three fine boys - Vladimir (Marion), Paul and Lennart (Diane). The family includes grandchildren, Adam, Bennett, Jeffrey and Kevin. Also left to remember him are his nieces and nephews Edward, Brian, Robert, Tim, Joyce, Vladimir, Lisa, Lee, Jackie and Greg, their spouses, children and grandchildren. Gerald came from a close Czechoslovakian family with two sisters and two brothers, Mary, Joseph, Vladimir and Vera. Gerald was predeceased by his mother and father, Mary and Joseph, brother Vladimir, brother Joseph and sister Mary Rector, brothers-in-law, Peter Derenchuk, Stanley Rector, Robert Teply and Joe Teply and sisters-in-law, Ida Sopuck and Christine Teply and nephew Roger Rector. His sister Vera is enjoying life with her family in Winnipeg and sister-in-law Olga in Kitchener. Gerald lived life to its fullest. He loved home, cottage, playing, pets and family, but was no stranger to very hard work. Gerald was born in Stramberk, Czechoslovakia in 1914. He came to Canada with his parents, sister and brother in 1926. Vera was born after coming to Canada. After homesteading for 3 years in Kapuskasing, ON, the family moved to Winnipeg at the height of the Depression. Gerald served in the RCAF as a Corporal from 1940 to 1945 and spent three of those years overseas. After the war, Gerald returned to Canada and married his sweetheart, Anne. Gerald and Anne lived in Kitchener, ON and ultimately made their home in Winnipeg where they spent the next 43 years. In Winnipeg, Gerald worked for Great West Life Assurance Company, and concurrently sold real estate through his independent company, North Star Realty. In their home in Transcona, Winnipeg, Gerald and Anne enjoyed their hobbies of bee-keeping and gardening. On weekends and holidays, Tati delighted in family time with everyone including sons, nephews and nieces at the Cottage in Whiteshell Provincial Park and on his famous fishing and camping expeditions to Northern Ontario. Gerald and Anne moved to Saskatoon in later years and enjoyed a beautiful garden in the Montgomery area with family and friends stopping by every day. Tati loved his pets, the most recent being, Lucky, Sassy, Frank and Daisy. Tati also had strong opinions and wondered where this world was headed. In the end, he knew that if people loved each other, everything would be OK. In lieu of flowers, friends may send donations to St. Paul's Hospital Foundation, Saskatoon, or a charity of their choice. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 30 at Prairie View Chapel, 9 km. south of Saskatoon on Highway 11 at Prairie View Road (306-242-7884). Condolences may be emailed to mail@prairieviewchapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Prairie View Chapel Crematorium (306) 242-7884.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 29, 2005