JOHN WILLIAM KINDRAT

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JOHN WILLIAM KINDRAT May 20, 1929 September 1, 2007 It is with heavy hearts we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend. Dad was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Margaret (Scherza), in November 2006 and is now reunited in joy and love with his best friend. Though we will all miss our unique and dear father and grandfather, we are comforted and blessed with knowing he and Mom are together in God's grace. John will be greatly missed and forever loved by his family: daughter Janice (Harris), grandson Dylan and step-granddaughter Brandie; daughter Cathy (Bedard) and son-in-law Jim, grandsons, Justin, Jordan and Jared, his wife Tammie and great-granddaughter Hayley, all of Selkirk; his son Craig (Kindrat) and daughter-in-law Deb and grandson Hayden of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; his brother Len Kindrat and sister-in-law Emily Stock both of Brandon; his brother-in-law Chuck Scherza of Rhode Island; and many nieces, nephews and friends too numerous to mention. Dad was also predeceased by his father and mother, Peter and Katherine Kindrat and his step-dad Mike Kuzyk; his sister-in-law Gwen Kindrat, his sister-in-law Marion and husband Carl Tegg, his sister-in-law Minn and husband Frank Bachinski, his sister-in-law Martha and husband Murray Stock, his brother-in-law Norman and wife Irene Scherza, his brother-in-law Wilf Stock, his sister-in-law Anne Scherza and his dear son-in-law Roger Harris, as well as several beloved nieces and nephews. John was born in Brandon, Manitoba on May 20, 1929. Growing up in the north end of Brandon, he told many stories of both good and hard times shared with many cherished friends who he continued to keep in touch with over the years. He met the love of his life, Margaret, in his school years and after many years of courtship, they married on July 4, 1953. John apprenticed as a printer in Brandon and moved to Selkirk with his young family in 1961, to become a partner and later the owner of the Selkirk Enterprise and Lake Centre News. He took great pride in being a part of the Selkirk Business Community. Throughout his life, he took an active part in the Selkirk community and enjoyed being involved with various community groups such as the Selkirk Kinsmen and Rotary Clubs and the Masonic Lodge. Dad loved to socialize and be with people. He could strike up a conversation with anyone. This often extended to those who passed by his home as he puttered in his well-maintained yard, making sure his bird and animal friends were looked after. In his retirement years he continued to keep an avid interest in both local and world news and sports. Dad always had a love for sports, especially hockey and golf - whether playing hockey himself in his younger years, coaching or watching his son Craig play, and later watching his grandsons play. He was one of the founding members of the Selkirk Steelers Hockey Club and was proud to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the club this past winter and was honoured to be asked to drop the puck at this ceremony. But above all, Dad's greatest happiness came from following the lives of his three children and their families, including his five grandsons and great-granddaughter. As Dad coped with Mom's recent passing, he found strength in this small poem, which, in turn, gives us strength as we now remember him. To My Family I go from you gently for it is my time To take the next step In this journey of mine Don't grieve for me long I've not left you alone For I will be with you In the love that we've known, That love is forever, And some day when it's time You'll join me again On this journey of mine. - Anonymous- In accordance with Dad's wishes, cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service to honour his life will be held at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Hwy. 9 in Selkirk on Friday, September 7 at 1:30 p.m. in the afternoon. A private family interment will take place at a later date. Flowers are gratefully declined but if you so wish, donations may be made in John's memory to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Selkirk, MB. Gilbart's Funeral Home, Selkirk, in care of arrangements

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 05, 2007