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MERVIN SITKA (MERV)
Born: Jun 04, 1939
Date of Passing: Oct 03, 2022
Offer Condolences or Memory Make a donation to St. Boniface Hospital Foundation
MERVIN SITKA
June 4, 1939 - October 3, 2022
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mervin Sitka at the age of 83 years.
Merv, Dad, Geeda, Gampa will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him. Dad is survived by his best friend, childhood sweetheart and loving spouse of 61 years Bernice, his children, Karen and Kevin (Jen); grandchildren, Cody, Connor, Madi and Katie; and grand-dogs, Oshie and Kooper.
Dad was born on June 4, 1939 in a house-hospital in Ethelbert, MB; the closest option to the small family homestead in Pine River. Dad was deeply loved and to a large extent raised by his grandparents. The bond was deep and timeless as were the values instilled: hard-work, integrity, love, empathy, servitude, and humble tenacity.
A brilliant mind with numbers ultimately landed Dad in the world of accounting. Dad achieved his Registered Industrial and Cost Accountant (RIA) designation in 1967. The RIA would become the CMA designation and then the CPA designation. Dad thought it was fantastic that different accreditations were coming his way without having to return to school!
Dad started his career with a chartered bank, from there moved to CBC for seven years and then spent 26 years with Revenue Canada (CRA) where he last held the position of Director of GST for the Prairie Region. It's hard to imagine a CRA auditor receiving fan mail, but Dad was that guy. More than numbers, Dad always sought practical and common-sense solutions where all sides felt heard and were left feeling whole regardless of the issue at hand.
Although Dad truly loved and was always thankful for his career, those who knew him best would know his marriage, family, friends, and community were always at the centre of his life. This all started with Dad marrying the girl next door, literally. Mom and Dad truly enjoyed their life together. Yes there were hardships, significant at times, but their unconditional love rose above all that came their way. We're not exactly sure how he did it with a demanding career, but Dad ALWAYS had time for everything and everyone: family time at the lake and farm, bus trips with Mom, coaching and volunteering at the local community centre, maintaining childhood friendships and forging new friendships through golf and curling, and cheering on the Jets and Bombers. And, on a whole other level, time for his grandchildren - nobody can recall a concert, a Grandparent's Day, a sports game/tournament, or a graduation ever missed by choice; and it was never a birthday without his phone call first thing in the morning - you were lucky if you got in a "hello" before Happy Birthday was being sung back your way.
They say you always remember most how a person makes you feel … in a word, loved.
The family would like to thank Dr. Coates at the St. Boniface Clinic for years of dedicated care for Dad, Dr. Khadem and all the incredible nurses at the Bergen Cardiac Care Centre Pace-Maker Clinic, as well as countless other doctors, nurses and health care professionals that were part of Dad's warrior journey throughout the years. You offered Dad hope, care, and compassion at every turn; we are forever grateful.
In lieu of flowers, donations can please be made to the St. Boniface General Hospital Foundation (Cardiac Care) and/or the Heart & Stoke Foundation.
We'll end as Dad ended every phone call and in-person visit … "bye for now".
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 21 at 11:00 a.m. at Windsor Park United Church, 1062 Autumnwood Drive.
Family and friends may sign a
book of condolence online at www.desjardinsfuneralchapel.ca
Desjardins Funeral Home
204-233-4949
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 15, 2022
Condolences & Memories (2 entries)
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Sending my sincere condolences to Merv‘s family. I met Merv at CRA. I was a new hire for the GST program and Merv was the Director of the unit I worked for. Our paths crossed on occasion. I was one of the executive Union Stewart’s working in that building. As such Mervan I would have chats about things to do with the staff and his concerns on behalf of the employer and my concerns on behalf of the employees. He wants told me that he used to be a union organizer or supporter add to CBC and now he was fighting or resisting the union. We always walked away from the table having presented both our cases and both feeling confident that we had achieved our goals. Mervin I were the same belief we have to keep the employees happy yet we have the total line. I found him very fair and ethical to work with. Where was wonderful man and I was proud to have worked with him. Sincerest condolences - Posted by: Don (Dupuis) on: Oct 15, 2022
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Our thoughts and condolences go out to Bernice, Kevin, and Karen. We had the pleasure of living across the street for twenty years. Mervin and his family were someone everyone would like to have as a neighbor. Rest In Peace dear friend. Lud and Sandra Domaratzki - Posted by: Lud Domaratzki (Friend and neighbor.) on: Oct 15, 2022
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