WALTER BALAGUS

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WALTER BALAGUS September 2, 1925 - April 6, 2011 Peacefully, in the company of loved ones, Walter Balagus died April 6 at the Holy Family Nursing Home in Winnipeg. Walter was predeceased by his first wife Mary, his father, mother and stepmother. He is survived by Iona, his wife of 58 years, and children Linda (Andrew), Michael (Colleen) and David (Tracy), eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and brother Murray (Elizabeth), sister-in-law Pat and many nieces and nephews. Walter was born in the North End of Winnipeg in 1925. His mother died within days of his birth and he spent his first four years growing up in his uncle and aunt's home with his seven cousins, all of them like brothers and sisters throughout his life. He would later be reunited with his father and would soon have a brother. Walter was married in 1947 and a short four years later his wife Mary died. In 1952 Walter met and married Iona Horgan in Toronto where their first two children were born. In 1956 the family returned to Manitoba, and by the end of the year a third child was born and the family soon settled in the North End. Walter loved the North End and cherished the opportunity to regale his grandchildren with the tales and characters of his youth. As an adult he gave tirelessly to the community. Volunteering for such organizations as the Canadian Ukrainian Athletic Club, Immaculate Heart of Mary School, St. Andrew's Men's club, the Knights of Columbus St. Josephat's Council, the Winnipeg Hawkeyes football club and Ukrainian National Home. Walter was passionate about sports and as president of the St. Nicholas Church Men's Club was instrumental in establishing the Ukrainian Sportsman of the Year Dinner. Walter equally loved his summers on Lake Winnipeg, as a child and young man riding the Moonlight train to Winnipeg Beach and later at the family cottage. His life was full and rich. His family, relatives and countless friends will sadly miss him. The funeral will be held at St. Nicholas Church, 737 Bannerman, 10:00 a.m., Monday April 11. A Knights of Columbus rosary will be said prior to the service at 9:30 a.m. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Holy Family Nursing Home and all the health care workers that did so much to help him in his final years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Immaculate Heart of Mary School Building Fund or the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba. The Saturday afternoon table at National Home is now reunited; the fourth chair has been filled.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 09, 2011