- The Carillon Passages
- All Titles
Search:
Notices are posted by 10 am Monday through Saturday
GEORGE KOPACHENA
Date of Passing: May 24, 2015
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryGEORGE KOPACHENA April 25, 1928 - May 24, 2015 Peacefully passed with family by his side at Concordia Hospital at the age of 87. Left to forever cherish his memory are his wife and soul mate Audrey, his brother Nick (Nicole), his children Christine (Jeremy), Michael (Glenda), Jeff (Beverly), and Tim (Monica); grandchildren J.P. (Jordy), Chelsea, Caitlyn, Brent, Blake, and Dana (Collin), and a great many friends and relatives. George was predeceased by his parents Lily and Samion. George was born and raised in The Pas, Manitoba. In 1946 he moved to Winnipeg with his mother Lily and his brother Nick. He attended Daniel McIntyre Collegiate where his teacher encouraged him to take up typing, which helped him move up and land a job at CN Telegraphs. During his time there he played a key role in the implementation of Health and Safety Standards. In 1960 George began working at CBC in Radio Master Control. This job led him to assignments in Montreal at Expo '67 and the Olympics in 1976. George really enjoyed his time at CBC, with wonderful colleagues and music. He was very proud to work with Leon Cole on the eclectic music programs "RSVP" and "Sound Effects" which became hugely popular across the nation. Also a huge advocate of knowledge and learning, George updated his education during these years at the University of Winnipeg, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. George passed on the importance of learning to his children and grandchildren with teaching them "knowledge is power", and he followed the adage "learn something new everyday and tell someone about it". George was a real family man, and lover of nature and the outdoors. Typical family activities included picnics, wiener roasts, and camping trips. Every year he would take Audrey and the kids on a big road trip. These evolved to the point of driving to Mexico and camping along the way. After the children had grown up, George and Audrey embarked on worldwide travels to Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Central America. They also enjoyed going to their beach home yearly winter getaways in Progresso, Mexico. George's other favourite place was his cabin at Traverse Bay, MB. George was an exceptional conversationalist, excellent story teller, and fascinating bank of knowledge. He was interested in world affairs, history, and archaeology. He was also a lover of Spanish language and culture, and was president of the Latin American Association. George was well known and inspirational in his abilities to get along with anyone, even people he had nothing in common with. He was nonjudgemental and highly respected others' opinions. He truly was an inspiration, example and teacher to many, and will be greatly missed. A celebration of life will take place at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 29 at St. Stephen's Anglican Church, 220 Helmsdale Ave., Winnipeg. Husband, Dad, Brother, Grandpa, Uncle, and Friend, we'll love you forever in our hearts.
Publish Date: May 27, 2015
GEORGE KOPACHENA George Kopachena peacefully passed away on May 24, 2015 at 87 years of age. A celebration of George's life will be held Friday, May 29 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen's Anglican Church, 220 Helmsdale Ave. (wheel chair accessible). A longer obituary will follow.
Publish Date: May 26, 2015
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 27, 2015
Condolences & Memories (15 entries)
-
Thinking about seeing George for the last time at the CBC reunion luncheon. So glad I found George and Audrey in the crowd and said hello. Enjoyed his stories of Mexico, and even though we didn't work together very often it was a great support to have George, cool, calm and competent on the other side of the glass for a rookie. Read his obituary on our radio shows and played the RSVP theme from Leon Cole's cd. My condolences to Audrey. Rest in peace. - Posted by: Ronald Robinson (co=worker) on: Jun 10, 2015
-
So sorry for you loss Our thoughts and prayer are with you - Posted by: Ross & Caron Scott (Glenda's Brother and Wife) on: Jun 08, 2015
-
George was a warm, caring friend with a wide ranging intellect. We cherish memories of spending time together, including trips to Florida and Mexico. Our love to Audrey. - Posted by: Jacqui Good and Leon Cole (friends and colleagues) on: May 31, 2015
-
George was one of the kindest and warmest people I've ever worked with. We had many stimulating and fun chats while broadcasting SoundTrack and RSVP, including playful debates over who really deserved to be the 'Three B's" of composers. And there was the 'Kopachena Method,' a unique way to deal with scratchy LP surfaces by swabbing DiscWasher fluid on them with a Q-Tip. My sincere condolences to Audrey and the family. - Posted by: Don Anderson (co-worker) on: May 29, 2015
-
George was a gift to a young producer in radio - always so willing to collaborate on a project, to contribute, teach and make it better. And everything was in the interest of the end result, not the ego. Such a gentle, warm interesting person. I'm so grateful to have known him. Audrey - how I always enjoyed yours and George's travel stories. - Posted by: Margaret Ingram (co-worker CBC, friend) on: May 29, 2015
-
George was a first class person who was always willing to help his friends. I last saw him 2 weeks ago at the weekly meetings at Lions. He enjoyed meeting with us every week. We will miss him at our Friday meetings. He always had something interesting to add our meetings. - Posted by: Frank Stroppa (Former co-worker at CBC and close friend) on: May 28, 2015
-
Especially remember picnics at Patricia Beach. An outstanding family man. - Posted by: Margaret Bourgeois (friend of daughter Christine) on: May 28, 2015
-
Very sorry to hear of Mr. Kopachena's passing. - Posted by: Lauren Forsyth (Bailey) (Family Friend) on: May 28, 2015
-
I treasure the memory of countless hours spent in the control room with George, working on SoundTrack and RSVP. He was one of the kindest people I have ever known, and he taught me so much about taking things in stride ("no lives lost," he would say, after I would cause the wrong selection to be played, or make some other on-air error.) My deep condolences to Audrey and the rest of the family. - Posted by: Wendy Robbins () on: May 28, 2015
-
From our home in Paris, Steve and I join in paying tribute to George. Sharing time with him in the "RSVP" studio was a privilege and one of the highlights of our years in Winnipeg. Our best to Audrey and family. - Posted by: Louise Van Winkle and Steve Melemis (Colleague) on: May 28, 2015
-
It was so lovely to see you a couple of weeks ago Mrs. Kopachena, and I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Mr. Kopachena. Take care, Janice and Jon Gudmundson - Posted by: Jon & Janice Gudmundson (Bailey) (Friend) on: May 27, 2015
-
What a flood of memories come back, such cherished years working together on "RSVP" with Leon Cole and Wendy Robbins and Louise van Winkle and more. George was so dedicated, such a warm soul. We will miss him! - Posted by: Andrea Ratuski (colleague) on: May 27, 2015
-
41 years of friendship. Beach neighbour, fellow card player and taught my late husband and I the fun of travel to Mexico. Many trips together over the years, Cancun, Acapulco and Progreso. My thoughts are with Audrey and Family at this difficult time. - Posted by: Dana Gunn (Niece by marriage) on: May 27, 2015
-
I grew up with his youngest son Tim. Remember going for some picnics to Patricia Beach in the '70s. He will be missed by everyone in the neighborhood. - Posted by: Grant Szpak (Neighbor) on: May 27, 2015
-
Rest in peace. One of the people that made working at cbc fun and enjoyable. - Posted by: Ivan LeMesurier (fellow cbc and friend) on: May 27, 2015
