ALEC KOHUCH

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ALEC KOHUCH March 8, 1922 - July 24, 2009 Alec passed away peacefully on July 24, 2009 in Nanaimo, BC. Alec was born in Mears, Manitoba in the RM of Rossburn. The fourth of 13 children, he attended Glen Elmo School and Rossburn High School. Alec enlisted in the army in 1941. He served in the Infantry Signal Corps P.P.C.L.I. and saw action in Italy, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He was discharged from the military in 1946 and in 1947, he married Lennie Rieu. Alec graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1952, and then worked in Winnipeg at various pharmacies, the General Hospital, and Deer Lodge Hospital. Lennie passed away in 1956, and in 1959, Alec married Mary Pankiw and they remained married until her death on October 3, 2008. In 1963, Alec re-enlisted in the military and served as a pharmacist at the Canadian Forces Base in Petawawa, ON until 1981. On January 1, 1982, Alec retired from the military with the rank of Captain. After his retirement, Alec and Mary lived in Nanaimo, BC, but travelled extensively throughout the world. A few years ago, they made a special trip back to Holland where they both met the family that Alec had befriended during the Second World War. In retirement Alec enjoyed curling, golf, cooking, dancing and singing. One of his favourite passions was driving and he made many trips to Calgary and Winnipeg each summer over the years visiting family and friends along the way. As a young man, Alec was an expert at cutting hay with a scythe and stooking grain by hand, putting these skills to use for the many farmers in the area. This hard work prepared him well for his life in the military. After he retired, he began to share often harrowing stories with his young nieces and nephews about his years of service in the war. He was famous for saying, If there are no bullets flying, there's nothing to be scared of.' Alec was always recognized as a devout Christian by his deeds. A very independent soul, he possessed a gentle personality and was the kind of brother and uncle that would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and was officially recognized and honoured for having made over 8,000 visitations to patients at the Nanaimo Regional Hospital, personal care homes and private residences. Alec leaves to cherish his memory Lennie's daughter Rosalie; his brothers Roy, Hardisty, AB; Rev. Deacon Nicholas (Mary), Winnipeg; Don (Irene), Calgary; Terry (Joanne), Dryden; Walter (Eleanor), Winnipeg; sisters Anne Ariss, Brandon; Mary Maydaniuk, Sandy Lake; Stella Andrusiak, Winnipeg; Mildred Sakundiak (Joseph), Calgary; brother-in-law Stanley Maydaniuk, Rossburn; and many nieces and nephews. Alec was predeceased by his first wife Lennie and second wife Mary; parents Alec and Anastasia; brother Fred and his wife Nellie; sister Dora; brother Peter; sister-in-law Olive Kohuch (Michalchuk); brothers-in-law George Ariss and Frank Maydaniuk; nephews Donnie, Garry, Jeffrey, Robert and Steve. The entire family thanks Drs. Moonsamy and Irvin for their compassion and care as well as the nursing staff of Nanaimo Regional Hospital, and the social services team and homecare support team for their tireless help and care. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 31, 2009 at Trinity Catholic Church in Nanaimo. Vichnaya Pamyat

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 30, 2009