RODERICK STEPHEN KAKOWCHYK

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RODERICK (ROD) STEPHEN KAKOWCHYK Rod Kakowchyk, Stonewall, Manitoba, born January 13, 1948. He passed away on June 6, 2016, at the age of 68 years, after a short and difficult battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Verna, and daughter, Candace. He is also survived by his mom, Shirley Kakowchyk, one brother, Raym, two sisters, Sheryl (Sam) Loschiavo, and Dalyce (Bob) Loschiavo, as well as members of Verna's family - Ken (Noreen) Friesen, Debra Friesen, Don Friesen, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews from both the Kakowchyk family and Friesen family. Rod was predeceased by his dad, Steve Kakowchyk, in January 2008. Rod married Verna on October 9, 1971, and they had one daughter, Candace, who is the pride and joy of their life. He was so very proud of all of her achievements in her education and career, and that he was able to call her his daughter. Each year Rod and Verna travelled east to visit Candace and spent many vacations with her, enjoying the scenery in that part of the country, as well as spending time with her and her friends. Rod worked for Carte International Inc. for over 30 years, both full-time and then on a contract basis after his retirement, and only was fully retired since July 2014. Rod decided to take early retirement five and a half years ago, joining Verna who had retired six months earlier. That first year they took a three day Alaskan cruise and 11 day land tour, travelling through Alaska and the Yukon via train and tour bus. Then in October 2014, they took a 17 day trip to Italy, touring the hilltop towns through Tuscany, as well as Rome and Pisa. On October 9 of that trip, Rod and Verna celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary in Venice, and being typical tourists, made sure they took a gondola ride to celebrate. Rod was a great husband and father, as well as a great uncle to his nieces and nephews, and the next generation of great-nieces and great-nephews. Most recently he wanted to make sure the youngest great-nephew received his 1st birthday present personally from Rod, so we made sure that he was able to visit Rod at the hospital. Rod was diagnosed with non-smoking lung cancer on February 10, 2016, and once the results from the biopsy were received, the diagnosis changed to sarcomatoid mesothelioma, a very rare type of cancer. His fight was nearly four months, and it was a difficult fight on his behalf. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 12, at 2:00 p.m. at the MacKenzie Funeral Chapel, Stonewall. Following the service interment will take place at the Stonewall Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, if friends and family so wish, donations can be made to Katie Cares, 255 - 13th Street, Winkler, Manitoba R6W 1S5, www.katiecares.ca MacKenzie Funeral Home Stonewall 204-467-2525 info@mackenziefh.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 08, 2016