BERT BESYK

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BERT BESYK July 9, 1935 December 6, 2010 Bert Besyk,, 75, passed away Monday, December 6, 2010 at the Dryden Regional Health Centre after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Bert was born in Winnipeg Beach, Manitoba to the late Nicholas and Jennie (Kowerko) Besyk. Bert was predeceased by his parents, his wife Faye of 53 and one-half years and a son-in-law Marty Vanderaa. Also by brothers Tom and Arnold and sister Helen Besyk, by brothers-in-law Mike Kulbaba, Mike Halischuk, and Wally Scribyn of Manitoba, Lloyd Schell of Dryden, ON and sister-in-law Marie Favot of Sioux Lookout, ON. Bert grew up on the family farm in Winnipeg Beach with his nine siblings. It was there he attended school and his interest, in repairing, cars begin. Bert worked for Dominion Bridge in Winnipeg, in which that work brought him to Dryden to weld on the overhead railway bridge in the subway. And later he worked as a mechanic for the Central Garage in Dryden. He then worked for the Dryden Paper Company as a mechanic, and it was there he met Faye, who worked in the Finishing Room. Bert and Faye were married December 7, 1956. He continued to work at the Dryden Paper Company while they started their business of Bert's Auto Wrecking, later to leave and operate his business full time. His business has continued for over fifty years and is now in its third generation in the family. Bert remained working in the business until Faye's passing in June 2010, when his own health began deteriorating. Bert enjoyed stock car racing and travelling to casinos with family and friends. His enjoyment in life revolved close to home, going on wrecker calls, collecting scrap metal, welding and building tow trucks and socializing with people. Bert is survived by three children: Linda (Fred) Sombrutski, Brian (Mary) Besyk and Vicki (Dan) Dorie. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Melissa Vanderaa, Rocky (Deanna) Besyk, Holly Besyk, Matt Dueck and Jen Dueck. One brother Ryan (Bernice) Besyk, twin sister Bernice Gooley, sisters France Kulbaba, Joyce Scribny, Joan (Art) Gooley, Jackie (Wayne) Dola, all of Manitoba, brother-in-law Clayton (Pauline) Schell of Dryden, ON, sister-in-law Sandra Schell of Thunder Bay, ON, and many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service will be held Monday, December 13, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the First United Church, 23 Van Horne Avenue, Dryden, ON, with Pastor Doug Brown officiating. In lieu of flowers, if desired, memoriam donations may be made to the Tamarac House or the Second Chance Pet Network, Dryden through the Dryden Community Funeral Home 249 Grand Trunk Ave., Dryden, ON P8N 2X3. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank all of those who visited Bert and helped in any way. Thank you to Dr. Cortens for his continued care, to Dr. Mazurski, the nurses who provided his home care, his hospital care and the nurses in the Oncology Department. Also thank you to Dr. Czaykowski, Dr. Saranchuk, Dr. Chowdhury, Dr. Rabbani, and their nurses and staff at the CancerCare, Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 10, 2010