STEVE PACHOLUK

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STEVE PACHOLUK Unexpectedly, Thursday, February 22, 2001 at the Underground Research Laboratory at Pinawa, Man. Steve leaves his wife and partner of 46 years, Louise (nee Herc), and son Steven of Victoria and Brampton. Born at home at Sclater, Man, May 5, 1929, Steve was the fourth of the nine children of Emil and Anne Pacholuk, who predeceased him in 1987 and 1988, respectively. After a youth spent family farming and cutting pulpwood in the Swan River Valley area, he worked for 45 years in the mining industry. Most of these years were at Wells in British Columbia, and Thompson, Man. Latterly, his work took him to southeastern Manitoba. Since 1968, Steve had been the dedicated and diligent employee of Midwest Drilling, his trusty lunch box beside him for decades, literally to his last moment. He supervised millions of feet of hard rock drilling into the Canadian Shield, and also enjoying doing the occasional dynamite demolition, such as the old Burntwood River Bridge at Thompson. Never happier than when outdoors, Steve loved the time he had for fishing, hunting, boating, snowmobiling, rough camping, and motorcycling over the years. An unfulfilled dream was to canoe the Bowron Lakes in B.C. An avid long distance driver, he thrived on vacations to British Columbia and the U.S., amongst others. Steve was a Knight of Columbus in Thompson, and a member of the Selkirk branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, active for years on a competitive Mine Rescue team, served as a volunteer fireman, and held various executive positions with the Curling Club, Rod and Reel Club, and the Rod and Gun Club. A keen amateur horticulturist and hobby farmer. He created beautiful award winning lawns, and planted hundreds of trees, some now over 45 years old. A generous and well-meaning man, Steve could also be very stubborn and determined. His devotion to duty had him working long hours, as well as assisting with such community tasks as the burial of indigent miners and search-and-rescue situations. Remaining to mourn are four sisters and two brothers, their spouses, and numerous nieces and nephews. At Steves request, cremation has taken place. The Funeral Mass is at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Selkirk, 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 27. Rev. Father Steven R. Pacholuk will officiate, assisted by the Pastor, Rev. Father Bo Wadzinski. The family is grateful for the assistance of the URL staff, the Pinawa Hospital Staff, the ambulance crew, Dr. Richard van Gend, the Lac Du Bonnet detachment of the RCMP (an organization Steve had a soft spot for), and the Medical Examiners staff in Winnipeg, as well as many others. Flowers are gratefully declined, and friends are asked to consider contributions in Steves memory to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation, 301-352 Donald St., Winnipeg, Man.,R3B 2H8. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 26, 2001