BASIL (BILL) KONOPELNY

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BASIL (BILL) KONOPELNY Peacefully on June 23, 2007, Basil (Bill) Konopelny returned to The Father, under the protection of the Blessed Mother of God. Born in 1928, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Basil resided in Winnipeg his entire life, attending Norquay and St. John's High schools. He worked for the City of Winnipeg for 41 years, retiring in 1991, as shop foreman of the Tecumseh machine shop. Basil loved to work with his hands. He had a passion for fixing things, refinishing furniture, gardening and most importantly helping others. Throughout his life, family, friends and strangers benefited from his kind and giving hands which served to ease the task at hand. Always quick to assist, he would never sit idly by when there was work to be done. Basil was an active parishioner of St. Andrew Ukrainian Catholic Church where he served on the parish council, tending to the physical needs of our beautiful church. In addition, he enjoyed volunteering his time and talent for the benefit of Holy Family Home, Orlan Ukrainian Folk Ensemble and the Ukraine-Kyiv Pavilion of Folklorama. Basil is survived by Emily, his wife of 49 years; children, Anna-Marie (husband Jerry), Peter (wife Laura) and Christopher, the joys of his life, his grandchildren, Andrew and Dayna, who never ceased to bring a smile to his face; his brother Peter Hescott; and numerous nieces and nephews. Basil was predeceased by his parents Dmytro and Maria; brothers and sisters, Anne, Michael, Helen, Margaret and infant siblings Edwina and John. Prayers (Parastas) will be sung 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 28 at St. Andrew Ukrainian Catholic Church, 160 Euclid Avenue. Divine Liturgy will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 29, also at the Church, with the Redemptorist Fathers officiating. Interment will take place at Holy Family Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Jason Crampton, Steven Crampton, Basil Galarnyk, Mark Galarnyk, Nestor Galarnyk, Andrew Konopelny, Neil Koziak, Ken Woytiuk, and Larry Woytiuk. Honorary pallbearers will be: Arthur Pulak, Ernie Cicierski, William Matview, Lou Melosky, Paul Ruta and Wasyl Werbeniuk. In lieu of flowers, donations, if so desired, can be made to Holy Family Home, 165 Aberdeen Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2W 1T9, or Immaculate Heart of Mary School, 650 Flora Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2W 2S5. Special thanks are extended to family, friends, Father Len Ratushniak C.Ss.R., the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, clergy and deacons for their prayers and support. Thanks are also extended to Dr. T. R. Babick and the nursing and health care staff of the N3 East ward at Concordia Hospital. VICHNAYA PAMYAT As Basil, my husband, and our tato and dido, returns to God and His promise of eternal life, we take comfort in his familiar words - Never say goodbye. I'll see you. Take care. KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 27, 2007