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MENNO ZACHARIAS
Date of Passing: Jan 15, 2024
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryMENNO ZACHARIAS
It is with profound sadness that the family announces the passing of Menno Zacharias, on Monday, January 15, 2024.
Menno was born in 1951, near Altona, Manitoba to Erdman and Sara Zacharias.
He is survived by his wife Colleen, his two sons, Stuart (Mila) and Charles, and his three grandchildren, Madison, Chloe, and Kurt. He is also survived by his sister, Brenda (Dave).
Menno grew up on his family’s farm. He graduated from W.C. Miller Collegiate in Altona where he met the love of his life, Colleen, when she was 13 and he was 17. In 1973, Menno joined the City of Winnipeg Police Department, as it was then known. He graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Arts in justice and law enforcement and a Master of Public Administration (with distinction) from the University of Manitoba. Menno also completed training at the Canadian Police College in Ottawa and was a graduate of the Executive Development Program, FBI National Academy, Quantico, Virginia.
Menno had a strong passion for policing and community service. He was appointed Deputy Chief of Police in 2000 until retiring in 2008. Among his many other accomplishments during his career, Menno implemented the Crimestat Management and Accountability System for the Winnipeg Police Service, served as president of the Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police, implemented a formal succession planning process, revamped the service delivery process in the police communications centre, established an organizational development unit, and chaired the Winnipeg Police Pension Board.
Menno also conducted the security and policing operation for the 1999 Pan American Games. He implemented an 18:1 staffing ratio for two-officer uniform patrol units. He also served as executive assistant to Chief of Police Herb Stephen (Ret.) as well as to Chief of Police Dale Henry (Ret.). Education was a passion of Menno's and he encouraged and mentored many of his fellow police officers to further their post-secondary education and to apply for promotion.
Golf was central to Menno’s life. He typically played nine holes of early morning golf prior to starting his workday. Menno competed in countless golf tournaments over the years, with many successful finishes. He was also a gifted woodworker and designed and built furniture with wood inlays as well as completely remodeling the house where he and Colleen lived since 1983. Although not a gardener, he designed and built all the infrastructure in their outdoor landscape. Menno also enjoyed researching his family ancestry and the study of Mennonite genealogy.
The family extends their sincere gratitude to the Winnipeg Police Service and the Winnipeg Police Association for their tremendous support through this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee’s Ukraine Crisis Response or the Winnipeg Police Foundation, or to a charity of your choice.
The celebration of life for Menno will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue. Police Inspector George Labossiere, chaplain, will officiate at the service.
Honorary pallbearers are Chief of Police Jack Ewatski (Ret.), Inspector Mark Hodgson, Deputy Chief Lawrence Klippenstein (Ret.), Ken Ross, Inspector Alan Scott (Ret.), Superintendent Corrine Scott (Ret.), Earl Stafford, Chief of Police Herb Stephen (Ret.), Staff Sergeant Bill Tyler (Ret.), Steve West, Charles Zacharias, and Stuart Zacharias.
As heartbroken as our family is at the loss of Menno, we want only to have gratitude in our hearts. In all that Menno did for his family, he showed us what love is.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 20, 2024, Jan 20, 2024
Condolences & Memories (15 entries)
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Played Wildwood today for first time in 2 years. Was told of Menno’s passing and felt devasted. Had many a serious conversation with him during our memorable rounds of Golf at the Wildwood. Talked @bout his grandchildren, Langley, his plans. He tended to break course record when we played together. Must h@ve been my psychological input. I admired him and we had a special bond. May he rest in peace and break heavenly course records. Loved you Menno. - Posted by: Joseph Campbell Dr., Clinical Psychologist (Golf buddy) on: Jun 26, 2024
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Our most heartfelt condolences to Colleen and family. Menno was a fellow athlete and band mate during our high school years. My memories of playing gigs, which he always arranged, and trying to keep up with him on the track remain so strong. We so admire his many accomplishments and his strong, calm approach to things. May God’s peace be with you and your memories be a comfort to you. David and Janet Penner - Posted by: David and Janet Penner (Friends) on: Jan 26, 2024
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My sincere condolences to Colleen and family on the passage of your husband and father. - Posted by: BJ Jackson (Friend of Colleen) on: Jan 26, 2024
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Condolences to Colleen and Family. Brenda, Dave and Family. - Posted by: Corrine and Cliff Sawatzky (Friend of Family ) on: Jan 25, 2024
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So sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad, Charles. I remember you speaking so fondly of him during our years at Vincent Massey. He's had such a impact on the Winnipeg Police Service and his time there, which has been brought up numerous times throughout my years working as a news reporter in Winnipeg. So sorry for your loss. - Posted by: Courtney Rutherford (High School friend ) on: Jan 22, 2024
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Good memories sometimes offer comfort....Along with Menno's vast plethora of talents, he was extremely skilled at wood refinishing. In 1985, he taught me how to refinish my antique Bell piano, disassembling key parts of the piano and re-assembling them once my project was completed. This was a memorable project for me, enabled totally by a wonderful neighbour. I am remembering Menno as patient, insightful and so multi-talented. His landscape collaborations/visions with Colleen are amazing. I am so very sad and sorry that you have lost this very special man. I am sure that he will be missed by so many. Deepest condolences and warm hugs. Diane Wolder (friend & former neighbour), Oakville, Ontario - Posted by: Diane Wolder (friend & former neighbour) on: Jan 22, 2024
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My condolences to Colleen and the family with the loss of Menno. May God's gentle hands provide you with the support that you need at this time. I will keep you all in my prayers. God bless. - Posted by: Johanna Van Schie (Coworker of Colleen at Safeway) on: Jan 22, 2024
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Our sincere condolences to Menno's family. We were saddened to hear of his passing. We enjoyed his friendship, sense of humour & company on the golf course at Wildewood. He will be missed. - Posted by: Greg & Tammie Dueck (friend) on: Jan 21, 2024
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Sending our deepest condolences to the family during this difficult time. May he rest in eternal peace. - Posted by: Adele and Fil Rizzuto (Neighbours ) on: Jan 20, 2024
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My condolences on your loss Marlene (MRLS) - Posted by: Marlene (Friend) on: Jan 20, 2024
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My experience of Menno was first as a colleague, then a friend. On my first day as a civilian manager for the Winnipeg Police Service he toured me through the Public Safety Building and, from then on, we enjoyed a close bond, supporting each other’s work up until the day he retired. I learned a tremendous amount from him about the complexities of policing, and this aided me immensely in my work. Menno’s integrity, professionalism and devotion to excellence in public service inspired me throughout my career at WPS and later at the City of Winnipeg where I continued to draw on the example he had demonstrated as a mentor. Menno tried to convert me to a golfer, and though it didn’t “take,” I nonetheless appreciated him finding me a good set of clubs on eBay. I’ll always remember Menno for the wisdom, honesty and humour with which he faced every day, and the philosophical way in which he looked at life. Menno took great pride in his family, and my wife Alys-Lynne and I join his friends and former colleagues in expressing deepest condolences to Colleen, Stuart and Mila, Charles, and the grandchildren on the loss of a very fine and loving husband, father and grandfather. Recently, we had lunch together and I am still in disbelief that this would be our last time together. Farewell, Menno. - Posted by: Steve West (Friend/former colleague) on: Jan 20, 2024
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A great person gone too soon. RIP Menno! - Posted by: Bill Nicholson (former WPD) on: Jan 20, 2024
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Menno and I became friends in his post Policing career when we both worked for the provincial government in the area of child protection. He was a good and honorable man. I will always be grateful for the thoughtful counsel and guidance he gave me during a difficult time in my life. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. - Posted by: Tom Moody (friend) on: Jan 20, 2024
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So shocked and saddened to hear of Menno's passing. Our deepest sympathies to Coleen and family. Menno was a fine man who worked tirelessly for others and yet always found time to relax with his favorite sport, golf. He was a true man of the people, a true hero. He will be remembered well. Indeed, Menno will be remembered very well. God bless you now and always, Menno. With deepest sympathy, Pearl, Peter, Del and Mary Anne, Harry and Marilyn Davis and families. - Posted by: Peter Davis (Cousin of Colleen.) on: Jan 20, 2024
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Menno was an excellent golfer and all of his friends at Wildewood will miss him. We offer condolences to his family, colleagues and many friends. Below is a short post that I made this week in the Friends of Wildewood Facebook site: “Menno Zacharias had a distinguished 35 year career with the Winnipeg Police Service and retired in 2008 as Deputy Chief. He was also a talented, enthusiastic golfer and reported on his personal golf blog that he had played 162 rounds in the 196 day Winnipeg golf season in 2015. That year his high score was 85 and his best was 66 with an average of 76.2 and a handicap of 3.8 for the year. That season he played at 16 different courses but most of his play was of course at Wildewood Golf. He was our winningest men’s club champion (1999, 2001-06, and 2012-15) before he ultimately decided to move over to join Bridges Golf Course near Starbuck. The last I saw he had shot 3 holes in one (there may have been more since) but his biggest goal of late was shooting his age, something he almost accomplished at age 69. Menno would be turning 73 this year in June. To read his many perspectives on golf visit Menno’s interesting blog page at: https://golfinmykingdom.com/author/mennozacharias/page/2/ - Posted by: Rick Wishart (Friend ) on: Jan 20, 2024