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JONATHAN WAYNE GUENTHER
Born: Aug 01, 1954
Date of Passing: Apr 17, 2023
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryJONATHAN WAYNE GUENTHER
I have lost more than a husband and the love of my life; I have lost my best friend - the kindest, funniest and most supportive man I ever met. He has left this world but not my heart and I honour our life by focusing on the joy and love we shared.
Jonathan Wayne Guenther, always known as Wayne, died on Monday, April 17, 2023, at the St Boniface Hospital, after a sudden illness that took a turn for the worse and his life’s journey ended. He passed peacefully surrounded by love with family and a close friend at his side.
Wayne is survived by and will be deeply missed by his best friend and wife of 33 years, Sandra Oakley and their dogs, Asta and Guinness. He will be mourned by his siblings, Marlene Procter (David), Myrna McNiven, and Cheryl Guenther (Brian Noble) and his nieces, Shannon, Jennifer, Amy and their families and his nephew Devon. Also mourning him are his former brothers-in-law, Richard Aikenhead and Jim Moyer and many good friends.
He was predeceased by his mother Eileen, father Jacob (Jack), mother-in-law Mary Oakley and brother-in-law Peter McNiven.
Wayne was born and raised in Winnipeg, graduating from Kelvin High School and the University of Manitoba. He was self-employed doing small home renovations and loved working with his clients over the years with many of them becoming close friends.
Wayne loved rugby and played for the Winnipeg Wasps Rugby Club for over 22 years. He also served the Rugby community as a coach, administrator and was the former President of Rugby Manitoba. At the time of his passing he was a Vice President of Rugby Manitoba. He especially enjoyed his time as a coach and mentor for youth who were learning to love the game of rugby and the incredible camaraderie of those who love the game.
Wayne was an enthusiastic and dedicated volunteer for the United Way of Winnipeg’s Living on the Edge Poverty Simulations. He believed in giving back to the community and the simulations allowed him an opportunity to share his love of Winnipeg and his support for the United Way of Winnipeg.
Wayne developed a passion for photography and was a true artist who captured and created images with his camera. His love of nature and his eye for detail helped him convey emotions, tell a story and capture moments in time. He had the ability to see the world and nature through a unique perspective and then translate that perspective into an image that he could share with others. His photographs of nature and animals are a legacy that touched others and will be a visual reminder of him and the world he captured with his camera.
Wayne loved music and enjoyed the conversations he had with other music lovers. Over the years we attended many concerts, Jazz Fest and the Folk Fest. From Opera to grunge he was open to listening to and enjoying the work of many artists. He especially appreciated his music group who compiled many lists covering various genres and artists. Each list brought something new to listen to and enjoy.
Kind, thoughtful, ethical, compassionate, a good friend and with a wicked wit and a true curiosity about others and life, Wayne has left us all too soon.
Thank you to the team at St. Boniface Hospital who provided care and comfort to Wayne.
A celebration of Wayne’s life is being planned for August, 2023. Further information will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 34040, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5T5 etransfer@manitobamutts.org) or a charity of your choice.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 29, 2023
Condolences & Memories (9 entries)
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try to envisage this as a Walter Cronkite report: Never had the world come closer to resolving it's many trials and tribulations as it did at Wayne and Sandy's dinner parties. Epic debates and riveting orations by many guests would lead one to think that the United Nations should relocate to Winnipeg. Great food would round out the evening. The world is now a greatly diminished place. Rest in Peace Wayne. - Posted by: R. Rodziewicz (friend) on: Aug 29, 2023
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I am so sorry Sandra, you should have had many more years together. I always enjoyed Wayne's company when helping me out with my many house projects. - Posted by: Marnie Zdriluk (Friend/client) on: May 27, 2023
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Our deepest condolences on Wayne's passing, Sandra. May his powerful happy memories console you at this time. As a wonderful writer wrote, grief never dies, but it travels from the head, where it creates pain, to the heart, where it creates love; and love never dies. Our hearts and love go out to you. - Posted by: Lawrie and Bea Cherniack (Friend) on: May 07, 2023
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We are so saddened by Wayne’s passing. He was so kind, thoughtful and talented, one of a kind. We looked forward to seeing your posts of his new photos. Sandi, you are in our thoughts and hearts. - Posted by: Danielle and Mark Jennings (Friends) on: May 02, 2023
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I am so fortunate to have been able to call Wayne ‘my friend’. Wayne was an exceptionally good man who happened to play rugby. I met him through rugby, I got to play with him, coach him, play against him, and work with him on numerous projects designed to further develop the game of rugby, celebrate a birthday with him at the annual SNAFU tournament. I count myself blessed to have known Wayne. My world has been so much better for having him as part of my life. He brought a wealth of knowledge, passion and pictures to everything he did; his character was a model for all, he was a wonderful man on and off the field. I will miss him immensely. - Posted by: Guy C McKim (Friend) on: May 01, 2023
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I am greatly saddened by this news. Wayne was an amazing person. I enjoyed every minute I spent with both Wayne and Sandi. Wayne always had good advice and was extremely perceptive. I will miss him greatly but he will not be forgotten. - Posted by: Paula (Friend) on: May 01, 2023
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Wayne and I hung out together in the early 1960’s. We were pretty good friends and spent quite a bit of time together until 1965 when my family moved from where the Victoria Hospital is now located to North Fort Garry. When the basements for the new houses on Thatcher Drive were being dug out, Wayne and I used to play war games using them as foxholes. I remember his whole family, his mom, dad and all his sister and their house right next to the Ostefechuks on Pembina Hwy. Wayne and I would go to the Montcalm Hotel Restaurant where his mom worked and she’d treat us to a milkshake and fries. Lots of good memories with Wayne when we were young and full of energy. After my family moved, I basically lost touch with Wayne but held onto all the good times we enjoyed together as kids. When I saw the notice in the Free Press I wasn’t sure it was my Wayne until I read his Mom’s and Dad’s names as well as Myrna and Marlene’s names, then I knew it was my old friend. Even though I haven’t seen Wayne for decades, I still feel the significant loss with his passing. It reminds me we have a finite time here on earth. I wish we had had a chance to re-connect over the years. He will be missed no doubt. My condolences to his wife Sandra and his 3 sisters. R.I.P. my friend! Your old buddy, Cliff - Posted by: Cliff King (Friend) on: Apr 30, 2023
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Sandra, I am so sorry to hear of Wayne’s sudden passing. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. - Posted by: Bev Laurila (Friend) on: Apr 29, 2023
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We are so sorry to lose such an amazing friend. Wayne was one of the greatest people that we were lucky to have in our lives. He will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure to meet and interact with him. Our hearts go out to Sandra, Asta, Guinness, and Wayne’s family for this great loss of a wonderful human being. Xoxoxo - Posted by: Debbie & Ken Hopper (Friend) on: Apr 29, 2023