Mike Sawka

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MIKE SAWKA

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dad, grandpa and great grandpa, Mike Sawka, who passed away on July 10, 2014 at the Vita Personal Care Home.

Dad was born on June 19, 1920 in Caliento, Manitoba, one of eleven children of Wasyl and Tatianna (Tillie) Sawka, all of whom have predeceased him. Dad later moved to Vita where he lived with his beloved wife Helen.
Dad will be lovingly remembered by his children Ken (Louise), Brenda (Dennis) Sharon (Dale), Ray (Cheryl), Terry (Justine), Carol and Bev. Dad was very fond of his fourteen grandchildren, Brent, Jerry, Diane, Jeremy, Jorden, Dustin (Carla), Adam, Courtney (Darin),Riley, Quenton, Tristan (Nicole), Sean (Kerri), Dylan (Karissa),and Ravenne and his three great grandchildren Kiera, Kean and Leila.
Dad had numerous jobs including tractor and car sales, truck driving and working for Parks and Recreation in Falcon Lake. We have cherished memories of packing up the family car for a drive to Falcon Lake to swim and picnic.
Dad and Mom’s dream was to open a business in Vita. In 1983, they opened Sawka’s Gas and Coffee Bar. Dad built “the shop”, as we called it, with his own hands. Dad had a talent and passion for building and he constructed many homes and garages in the Vita area. Sadly in 1985, Mom was taken to be with God. Dad persisted on and kept the family business going until he was 83 years old. Dad would often tell his children that running the business was good for him, “it was like having twenty of my friends over twice a day for coffee”.

Dad was one of those people who always thought of his children first. He was very proud of each of us for our unique ways. Dad was a car lover and enjoyed nothing more that checking out his children and grandchildren’s cars, washing them, changing the oil and teaching us to change a tire. Dad loved taking road trips and travelled with mom and the family to visit relatives across Canada. We will all hold onto the recent memories of Dad sharing funny stories about his and our childhoods. We must say good bye, Mom has called for you to be with her.

As a family, we would like to thank the compassionate staff at the Vita Personal Care Home for their care of Dad and Michael from Vita Funeral Home for his support during this time.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of our Dad may be made to the Vita & District Health Centre. (Box 160, 217-1st Ave. West, Vita, MB R0A 2K0)

The funeral service was held on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at the Vita Funeral Home (250 Railway Avenue, Vita). Interment followed the service at the Vita North Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to the
Vita Funeral Home
(204) 425 3114

As published in The Carillon on Jul 11, 2014