WILLIAM MICHAEL DUDAR (MIKE)

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WILLIAM MICHAEL DUDAR

On March 20, 2020, William Michael (Mike) Dudar peacefully passed away after celebrating his 96th birthday with his children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren in St. Albert, AB.
Mike was born to Ukrainian immigrant parents on the homestead farm in Foley, MB in 1924 where he spent his early years. Schooled at a residential church school in Teulon, MB, Mike completed grade 9 before leaving school to work on the farm. During his teenage years, Mike helped the family income by delivering moonshine from Winnipeg Beach, working the Winnipeg Beach boardwalk concessions, commercial fishing on Lake Winnipeg and mining in Northern Manitoba. Hard work was common for Mike, and his work ethic and ability to provide for his family is his legacy.
Mike met Marion Woychuk in Winnipeg and married in 1950. In 1953, they moved to Northumberland Road in the RM of West St. Paul after the arrival of their daughter Kathy, and farmed the small property while Mike worked full-time. Long time residents of West St. Paul, Mike was involved with the West St. Paul School parents committee, Rivercrest Cubs and Scouts as a leader and then a provincial trainer. A founding member of the West St. Paul Curling Club, and a West St. Paul Municipal Councillor, Mike had a strong sense of community and giving back. He was always involved in his children's activities and interests despite spending long hours on the road with his career.
Mike cared for his aging parents after they left the Foley homestead for West St. Paul until their passing in the 1970s. Mike understood his family obligations and declined several job promotions and offers of relocation. They lived in West St. Paul until 1994 when he and Marion sold the property and moved into an apartment in Winnipeg after his retirement.
Mike had a diverse working career starting with Nutty Club in the late 1940s, Keystone Furniture with Steven Juba, Maple Leaf Mills and McKenzie Seeds as a salesman. After securing his Business Administration Diploma during evenings and weekends from Red River College (then MIT) in the 1970s, Mike was employed by the Communities Economic Development Fund and then with the Federal Government as an Employment and Immigration Officer until his retirement. His linguistic abilities in Ukrainian, Polish and Russian were valued. The friendships he made during his career lasted well into retirement and old age.
Mike was a member of Ionic Lodge 23 A.A.F.M., ascended to the Khartoum Shriners and was a member of the Provost Corp. until his move to Alberta.
Mike and Marion moved to Sherwood Park in 2004 to be closer to daughter Kathy and her family. Kathy was invaluable as Mike and Marion aged and eventually helped them move into assisted living at Silver Birch Lodge in Sherwood Park where they resided until their passing.
Mike was predeceased by wife Marion in 2018, after 68 years of marriage, his parents, Wasyl and Maria, his brothers, Victor and Steven and his sister Leona. Mike will always be loved and remembered by daughter Kathy (Paul) Mathieson, son Greg (Sharyn Matthews) Dudar, grandchildren, Jackie Mathieson, Jered (Natalie Paul) Mathieson, and Nathan (Katrina Judt) Dudar, great-grandchildren, Abby and Lynden Rogers and Claire Mathieson.
Mike's memorial was delayed due to COVID. His ashes will be interred at South Foley Cemetery on August 2, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., a graveside service officiated by Cathie Clow, a close family friend.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 23, 2022