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VICTOR FRANK WARKENTIN
Born: Dec 16, 1936
Date of Passing: Jul 24, 2023
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryVICTOR FRANK WARKENTIN
Dad was born in Winnipeg on December 16, 1936 to Peter and Anna Warkentin. He was the first of six children. He was predeceased by his wife Helen Warkentin (nee Defer); his parents, Peter and Anna Warkentin; sister Shirley; brother Bob and brother Harry.
Dad is survived by his three sons, Doug (Izabella), David (Bethany), Jim (Allyson); grandchildren, Brad, Courtney and Adam; brother Ernie (Donna); sister Liz (Neil) and his lifelong friend Jack Forbes.
Dad met the love of his life, Helen Defer in 1963. After a whirlwind romance, he proposed to her taking her up on a flight over Winnipeg, giving her an ultimatum…. “say YES, or there is the door.” They were married December 7, 1963. Mom and Dad were inseparable until Mom’s sudden passing October 1, 2021. After Mom died, he began to decline and missed her enormously.
Summers were always a road trip in the family van, and over a 15–20 year period, the family saw nearly every US state and Canadian province. His second love was aviation. The family spent many summers making their way to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, home of the EAA Airshow. He also built is own KR2 aircraft (GUN-V) and flew it out of St. Andrews Airport.
Family was everything to dad and his pride in his three boys was evident in the way he spoke and encouraged them. He taught the boys how to fix their own cars, how to save, work and stand on their own two feet.
Dad entered the Air Force in 1954 and spent a number of years with the RCAF as an aviation mechanic. His years in the Air Force is how he was able to put himself through university, earning a Bachelor of Science degree at the U of M. Once he was done with the Air Force, he began is career as a chemist with Catelli Foods, and a few years later, took on a position with the Health Protection Branch of the Federal Government. He began as a Food Inspector and ended his career as the Regional Director, Prairie Provinces.
Mom and Dad enjoyed 29 years wintering at their winter home in Mesa, Arizona (Fountain of the Sun) and loved having family and friends over, sharing their beautiful place, as well as the oranges they grew themselves.
Dad, you have missed Mom dearly since her passing and I am sure she is so happy to have you back in her arms. You will be very much missed and have a left a large hole in the hearts of those that loved you so much. We are so blessed to have had a dad like you! We were all so proud of the man, husband, and father you were.
Cremation has taken place and a family gathering will happen at a later date.
The family would like to express their gratitude to all the staff at Tuxedo Villa that took such good care of him in his final months.
God Speed Dad…..until we meet again!
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 29, 2023
Condolences & Memories (6 entries)
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Doug - Our condolences to you and your family as recently learned of both their passing in 2023. We often wondered how Vic and Helen were doing after leaving the neighborhood - We enjoyed their company and conversations - awesome people - Posted by: David- Karen (Neighbours) on: Oct 20, 2024
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Truly a fine gentleman and a gifted scientist/ Administrator at Health Canada. I met Vic through the period of opening the new HPB Laboratory and with briefings he provided to the Health Minister. Rest in Peace, Vic. - Posted by: marc desrosiers (colleague at Health Canada) on: Aug 04, 2023
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Dear Jim, Doug, David and families, I am very saddened by the news about your father’s death. I met Vic in 1973 when I joined the Health Protection Branch. He became a mentor, boss, colleague and friend. His first goal always was to protect the Canadian public. He sought out innovative ways to find hidden problems in the products we regulated. He wanted our organization to excel in all things and supported and developed training initiatives for all parts of our organization. He was keenly interested in everyone and never met anyone he didn’t like. Vic and Helen became good friends to my husband Edward and me. We enjoyed a wonderful visit at their Mesa home. Vic would always advise me, and others, to make sure our families came first and not let work consume us. Like many others, I owe him a great deal and will miss him and his deep laugh dearly. My condolences to all of his family, Donna Mae Burgener - Posted by: Donna Mae Burgener (Colleague ) on: Aug 02, 2023
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Dear David, Doug and Jim and families, We are very sorry to learn the passing of your Dad. Your Mom and Dad were our long time friends. We last talked to your Dad not too long ago and did not know he was moved to Tuxedo Villa. We were planning to visit him. We will miss getting together with him. Please let us know the time and place of celebration of life or funeral. With Deep sympathy, Dr Dick and Rose Lim (Winnipeg, MB) - Posted by: Dr Dick and Rose Lim (Winnipeg,MB) (Friends of many many years) on: Jul 30, 2023
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I will be always great full to Vic as he was the one to send me job posters when I finished high school. I was accepted for training as a meteorological technician with Transport Canada in 1964 which ended as a thirty one year career with Environment Canada as a Meteorologist. Vic and I kept in touch via email for some time after my retirement. My condolences to Vic's family. Lorne Enns - Posted by: Lorne Enns (cousin) on: Jul 30, 2023
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Great person to visit with. My mom enjoyed Vic and Helen so much and missed them after they went back North. - Posted by: Stephen L. Ellis (My Mom's neighbor in Mesa) on: Jul 29, 2023