GEORGE JOSEPH PUHACH

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GEORGE JOSEPH PUHACH
1933 - 2022

It is with deep sadness that our family announces the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather George Puhach at the River Park Gardens Personal Care Home in Winnipeg on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at the age of 89 years.
He is survived by his wife Helen (Friederici) of 63 years; daughters, Gwendolyn (Colin) Band, Cheryl (Phil) Merkel and a son Glenn Puhach. Four grandchildren, Noelle (Jordan), Shae Lynne (Tyler), Justin (Emma) and Matthew. His sister Kaye Slobodian, cousins, many nephews, nieces and their extended families, friends as well as mom's own family members whom he truly cared for as his own. One of 11 siblings, he was predeceased by his parents, Stephen and Marie Puhach; brothers, Mike (Julie), Henry (Stella), Emil (Lucille), Alex (Ann), Nick (Mary); and brother-in-law Mike Slobodian. Sisters, Mary Puhach, Anne (Mike) Senetchko, Pauline (Mike) Yawney and Nettie (Doug) Brown.
Born on April 30, 1933 in the farming community of Glenhope, MB and raised there till the age of 14, he then moved with his family to a larger farm in the District of McCreary, completing his grade 12 at the high school in town.
As an ambitious and determined young man he then made his way to Winnipeg, enrolling and obtaining his five-year apprenticeship in the Sheet Metal Trade. Early hard farm work taught him the values of self-reliance, endurance and perseverance resulting in his strong work ethic. This led him to seize the first opportunity he saw for employment which was at the DEW LINE (Distant Early Warning) radar station above the Arctic Circle. Employed there from 1956 to 1957, dad spoke very fondly and often of his first real challenging adventure far away from home. He voiced many of his wide opened eye experiences working there in the extreme cold isolation of the place, which he related was almost mind numbing! Returning to Winnipeg as a skilled draftsman in his trade, he then persisted as a fully dedicated faithful employee onward, always taking great pride in a job well done at the end of the day!
Dad met our mom in 1958 and they were married in Arborg, MB in 1959 settling in Winnipeg, where their three children were born. To reestablish their love for country living, they then purchased a small plot of land in the rural area of Lockport, MB in 1976. Together with sheer will, determination and persistence, they managed to carve their own homestead out of this bare acreage by erecting a house and surrounding it with countless trees and gardens. Later came the footprints of their grandchildren who now happily share fond memories of those many years in the country as they roamed about so freely. Dad will lovingly always be remembered as a fully committed, devoted family man with a very strong work ethic in providing for the needs and care of his family above all. He had a great love of the land, nature and he derived such simple peace from country living.
Unfortunately, these past years proved very difficult for him and our family as he sadly fought a number of health issues which lowered his quality of life considerably. Our family acknowledges in expressing appreciation to River Park Gardens, Dr. Ball and the many kind staff members for his needed care these last six years. Most especially the staff that took that extra moment or two in allowing our dad to develop and enjoy the camaraderie of their cheerful engaging interactions with him in the spirit of trust and friendship which certainly meant a lot to all of us and so again we warmly thank them all!
As per his wishes, a private family service was held and he has been laid to rest at Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, which are most gratefully declined, we ask that you might perhaps share an act of kindness with one another instead or reach out to a food bank if you can!

'You can take the boy out of the country
BUT you simply cannot take the country
out of the boy!
Family and friends may sign a book of condolence at www.glenlawn.ca

Glen Lawn Funeral Home
204-982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 31, 2022