BART KOBAR

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BART KOBAR After a lengthy illness, Bart Kobar passed away Tuesday morning, September 30, 2003, at St. Pauls Personal Care Home, The Pas, at age 79 years. He is survived by his children, Tom (Sarah) Kobar, grandchildren, Kimberly, Samantha; Diane (Colin) Shrubb, grandchildren, Riley, Devin; John, grandchildren, Megan, Jeffrey; Peter (Carla), grandchild Carter; sisters, Ann (Phil) Purcell, June (Mel) Berg; brothers-in- law, Tony Puhach, Steve (Val) Puhach, Mike (Shirley) Puhach; sisters-in-law, Mary Pisichko, Eva (Bill) Fedak, Olga Puhach; cousins, Irene Buchberger, Ruby Buchholz of Gimli, Manitoba, Loreen Boyd of Victoria, BC. He was predeceased by his wife Anne Kobar, father Peter Kobar, mother Gertrude Kobar, stepbrother Jack Kobar, brother-in-law Nick Puhach, sister-in-law Kay Puhach, father-in-law John Puhach, mother-in-law Irene Puhach. He was born Monday, October 29, 1923 at The Pas, and raised in Herb Lake, MB, where he attended school. He worked as an underground miner at the Laguna Mine, the Howe Sound Mine, and the Ferro Mine at Herb Lake and Snow Lake. He also was a prospector, trapper and commercial fisherman. Later, his work as a diamond driller took him to Yellowknife, Red Lake, Sudbury, Ferguson Lake, NWT, and to South America. He was a mine manager for Northern Tungsten in Snow Lake and a construction foreman for Bender Construction in Flin Flon. He also worked as a dragline operator for Leslie and McLean building dykes in the Carrot River Valley at The Pas. During that time he met his future wife Anne. He married Anne Puhach at Glenella, MB, June 17, 1955. Bart and Anne spent two years in the hotel business purchasing and operating the Blanchard Hotel in Oak River from 1955 to 1957. In 1958 Bart and Anne purchased Lennivilles Hardware store in The Pas, and operated it as Kobars Hardware until 1987, when their son John took over the business. He loved to talk to anyone who came into the store and he continued in the store until 2002 when his declining health forced him to retire. Bart is best remembered for his quick wit, sense of humour, ingenuity and willingness to help anyone out. He could fix just about anything. He was a certified blaster and took on many dangerous blasting jobs over the years. He is also remembered for developing his Manitoba Marble property near Wekusko, MB. He especially enjoyed prospecting which was one of his first loves. He also enjoyed hunting and many who had the opportunity to spend an evening with him were truly entertained as he was a gifted storyteller. He was President of The Pas Chamber of Commerce in 1961 and 1962 and served for over 20 years on the executive committee. He was proud to be recognized with a lifetime membership. He served on the town council in 1965 and 1966. He was also a member of the Elks and the Masonic Lodge. In addition, he had two lakes and a fault named after him, in recognition of his contributions to prospecting in the North. The funeral service was held Saturday, October 4, 11:00 a.m. at Westminster United Church, The Pas, with Rev. Dr. Marta Frascati Lochhead presiding. Interment was at Lakeside Cemetery. If friends so desire, donations in his memory may be made to the ALS Society of Manitoba, 2109 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3J OL3. Hemauer Funeral Home, The Pas, in care of arrangements. 1-204-623-3261

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 10, 2003