WILLIAM HENRY OSTAPOVITCH (DR. BILL) 1919-2003

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WILLIAM HENRY OSTAPOVITCH (DR. BILL) 1919-2003 Passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 15, 2003 at his home in Holland, MB. with Linda, Don, and Penny at his side. Left to cherish his memory; daughter Linda (Dennis) Foley of Winnipeg, MB, son Don (Freya) Ostapovitch, of Brisbane, Australia, and daughter Penny (Stacy) Hodgson of Red Deer, AB; grandchildren, Darren, Steven, and Alison Foley of Winnipeg, MB, Stephanie (Andrew) Stillinger of Calgary, AB, Kyle and Michael Ostapovitch of Brisbane, Australia, Mathew and Katelyn Hodgson of Red Deer, AB; great-grandchildren, Kierstyn Foley and Dillon Bundy of Winnipeg, MB, Emma Stillinger of Calgary, AB. He is also survived by his siblings: Mike, Vera, Fred (Diana) Ostapovitch of Theodore, SK, Harold (Sylvia) Ostapovitch, and Oda Yakovitch of Montreal, QC, and Annette Ostapovitch of Edmonton, AB as well as one sister-in-law, Nellie Ostapovitch and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews, and cousins. He will also be greatly missed by his special friends; Jean Grant of Toronto, ON and Jack and Non Jamieson of Holland, MB. Bill was predeceased by his wife, Lorraine (1989), his parents, Fred and Rose, brothers, Stephen, Matthew, Jake, and Peter (Gay) and sisters, Mary (John) and Katherine (Paul). Bill was born December 4, 1919 on a farm in Theodore, SK., the eighth child of Rose and Fred. He attended elementary and high school in Theodore and in 1937 went to University of Saskatoon to study medicine. In 1942, he continued his studies at University of Manitoba, graduating in 1944 with a Doctorate in Medicine. While at medical school, Bill enlisted in the army in 1942. He was commissioned as a Captain in July 1944 and was stationed in Halifax, NS for a year and a half. He was then stationed in Shilo, MB until his discharge in August 1946. In 1945, he married Jean Lorraine Henderson, of Deloraine, MB. Following his army discharge, they returned to Winnipeg where he spent at year in post graduate residency at the Misericordia Hospital. In March 1948, Bill and Lorraine took over a general practice in Holland, MB. He served the community and surrounding districts carrying on a well established practice until his retirement in 1992. He took special studies in pediatrics and surgery in Winnipeg, Chicago and Minneapolis. During his forty-four years of practice, he held several positions, such as Chief of Staff at the local hospital in Treherne, Public Health Inspector for the Municipality of Victoria and Coroner for the district. It was through his foresight that the hospital at Treherne was a general hospital rather than a nursing unit. He was a skilled surgeon performing major surgery until he could no longer get an anaesthetist to assist him. He performed minor surgery until he retired. A specialist once said of him, Anyone in his care will receive first class attention. He was known for his almost scarless suturing. His days were long and full, as he held office hours in Holland, Mariapolis, and Cypress River. House calls were part of his everyday practice and home deliveries were often necessary. During his practice, he delivered well over 2000 babies and remembered them all as they crossed his path over the years. He tried to leave his mark on his local community and surrounding district. He served terms on the Town Board, School Board , was instrumental in the construction of the Holland Elementary School, President of the Tiger Hills Education Association, 1965 was appointed to the Advisory Board with the Department of Education. He also served on the Official Board of the United Church and his work on the Hall Committee ensured that the town had a modern facility which is used for many events and activities. He planted many rows of trees at the fair grounds and his first retirement project was sprucing up and tree planting at Brookdale Cemetery. Recently he was honoured with the Queens Golden Jubilee Award in January 2003 for his significant contribution to his community. He was an enthusiastic and successful gardener and many envied his green thumb. He spent long hours assuring that his acre was immaculate, no weeds, hedges trimmed, flowers blooming. Everyone was witness to his sense of humour as they passed his yard and saw the painted face on his saved tree. His late summer and fall was spent making jams, jellies and pickles and harvesting the fruits of his labours. Many reaped the benefits of his excess produce. Thanks to his good friend Jack he took up golfing and spent many hours enjoying this new hobby. He always had a project on the go, whether it was sewing on patches, redecorating or being Mr. Fixit. He was true to his family traits of honesty, integrity and ambition, and instilled these in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Special thanks to Non and Jack Jamieson, Tamara Greenlay, the Hurtons, Linda Temmerman, Dr.P.Griffin, Winnipeg and Dr. Mallick for their kindness and compassion, since Dads heart attack and recent return home to Holland. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 21 in the Holland Community Centre at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Jim Penhale officiating. A private interment will take place after the service. If friends so desire memorial donations may be made in Dr. Bills memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 6 Donald St, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6 or charity of choice. Online condolences may be made at www.budz.ca T.J. Burnett Budz Funeral Service of Holland, MB in care of arrangements, 526-2380, 1-866-526-2606.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 17, 2003