ALEXANDER TARASENKO

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ALEXANDER TARASENKO January 23, 1921 - December 26, 2015 With the greatest of love and sadness the family of Alexander Tarasenko announces his unexpected but peaceful passing at his residence on Saturday, December 26, 2015. Alex was born January 23, 1921 in Steinbach to Andre and Tatjana (Khoroshun) Tarasenko. All of his six siblings and parents have predeceased him. Alex had a strong work ethic and worked hard all his life. He asked for little in return. As a young man he worked in the bush camp hauling logs in the cold of winter. Hence the nickname "bushwhacker". He was in the army (1943 to 1945) during the Second World War and participated in the D-Day invasion in Normandy. He attained a Sergeant Major designation post war. On his return to civilian life he married Helena Reimer, his Clearspring sweetheart on September 6, 1945. A marriage that spanned seven decades. They were blessed with three daughters. Alex worked as a long distance bus driver with a dedicated route to Pine Falls; he was a dragline operator and grader operator for the R.M. of Hanover and made sure the roads were passable in the winter. He was employed for 30 years with the City of Steinbach in the capacity of town engineer - supervising the water and sewer installation from 1956 until retiring in 1986. Alex had a special story to share with all the experiences he had in his long life. The essence of a person cannot be captured in a few paragraphs but Alex lived in quiet harmony with nature and enjoyed "digging in the dirt"; he was non-judgemental, humble, cared for all creatures great and small, he remembered the ill and shut-ins with visits, he was unpretentious, he quietly helped those in need never expecting anything in return, and he loved his family more than anything. He was precise and organized in all the tasks he did. He became a member of the United Church and served as Sunday School superintendent and also choir leader for many years. Through the years he regaled any of us who would listen to his stories of his golf games, fishing expeditions, curling and hockey games. More recently he enjoyed solitary activities such as crosswords, scrabble, playing the organ and visits from all those who remembered him. Dad you are so loved and missed. We say goodbye until we meet again. Left behind is his immediate family - wife, Helena, daughters Jan (friend Herb), Judi (David), Bev, and his faithful companion George as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. We thank EMS of Steinbach and Herb for their sterling support on December 26, 2015. A coming home service for Alex Tarasenko will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach, MB. Flowers are respectfully declined. Donations to the M.C.C. or the Humane Society in memory of Alex would be greatly appreciated. "The kiss of the sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth - One is nearer God's heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth." Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030
Publish Date: Jan 2, 2016

ALEXANDER TARASENKO January 23, 1921 - December 26, 2015 With the greatest of love and sadness the family of Alexander Tarasenko announces his unexpected but peaceful passing at his residence on Saturday, December 26, 2015. Alex was born January 23, 1921 in Steinbach to Andre and Tatjana (Khoroshun) Tarasenko. All of his six siblings and parents have predeceased him. Alex had a strong work ethic and worked hard all his life. He asked for little in return. As a young man he worked in the bush camp hauling logs in the cold of winter. Hence the nickname "bushwhacker". He was in the army (1943 to 1945) during the Second World War and participated in the D-Day invasion in Normandy. He attained a Sergeant Major designation post war. On his return to civilian life he married Helena Reimer, his Clearspring sweetheart on September 6, 1945. A marriage that spanned seven decades. They were blessed with three daughters. Alex worked as a long distance bus driver with a dedicated route to Pine Falls; he was a dragline operator and grader operator for the R.M. of Hanover and made sure the roads were passable in the winter. He was employed for 30 years with the City of Steinbach in the capacity of town engineer - supervising the water and sewer installation from 1956 until retiring in 1986. Alex had a special story to share with all the experiences he had in his long life. The essence of a person cannot be captured in a few paragraphs but Alex lived in quiet harmony with nature and enjoyed "digging in the dirt"; he was non-judgemental, humble, cared for all creatures great and small, he remembered the ill and shut-ins with visits, he was unpretentious, he quietly helped those in need never expecting anything in return, and he loved his family more than anything. He was precise and organized in all the tasks he did. He became a member of the United Church and served as Sunday School superintendent and also choir leader for many years. Through the years he regaled any of us who would listen to his stories of his golf games, fishing expeditions, curling and hockey games. More recently he enjoyed solitary activities such as crosswords, scrabble, playing the organ and visits from all those who remembered him. Dad you are so loved and missed. We say goodbye until we meet again. Left behind is his immediate family - wife, Helena, daughters Jan (friend Herb), Judi (David), Bev, and his faithful companion George as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. We thank EMS of Steinbach and Herb for their sterling support on December 26, 2015. A coming home service for Alex Tarasenko will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach, MB. Flowers are respectfully declined. Donations to the M.C.C. or the Humane Society in memory of Alex would be greatly appreciated. "The kiss of the sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth - One is nearer God's heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth." Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030
Publish Date: Dec 31, 2015

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 02, 2016