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WILLIAM (BILL) CHELACK
Date of Passing: Mar 20, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryWILLIAM (BILL) CHELACK
With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Bill Chelack on March 20, 2025 at the age of 91 in Pinawa, Manitoba.
Left to mourn his passing are his children, Brian (Rosanne), Pat, Colette (Greg) and Stephen (Donna). Bill leaves behind to cherish his memory his grandchildren, Shannon, Eric (Julia), Domini (Zak), Dash (Noelle), Kaitlin and Connor and great-grandchildren, Violet and Theodore. Also left to mourn him are his sister-in-law Blanch Mazurkewich, brother-in-law Willie Matsalla (Halina) and many nieces and nephews.
Bill was predeceased by his loving wife Jo, with whom he enjoyed 55 years of marriage before her passing in 2011. He was the last surviving member of his family having been predeceased by his parents and six siblings.
Bill was born and raised on a farm in Cudworth, Saskatchewan. He often told stories of life on the farm and how attending school in a one room schoolhouse gave him the ability to learn independently. He went on to pursue higher education and graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. After short stints at Agriculture Canada in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Dad took a job at the Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment in 1964 where he worked in the Medical Biophysics Branch and then later became part of the Radiation Applications Branch.
Dad married the love of his life Josephine (Jo) in 1956. Together they raised their family and became active members of the community in Pinawa. He was a Lions Club member, coached Little League baseball and golfed and curled for many years. Dad and Mom were a team, and were well known for their love of hosting great parties, and feeding Pinawa through their business BJ Catering. Upon his retirement in 1992, Dad and Mom became snowbirds and enjoyed 20 winters in Harlingen, Texas, where they formed lasting friendships.
In many ways Dad was a Renaissance man before the term became popular. He was a man who performed brilliantly in many different fields, yet was humble about his accomplishments. He was a deep thinker and at the same time pragmatic in the way he approached life. Dad was a gifted artist, furniture craftsman, cook, homebuilder, avid reader, mushroom forager, and electronics repairman to name a few of his skills and passions. Mom used to complain that she never got anything new because Dad could always MacGyver a repair to the old washer or TV or refrigerator.
In his last years Dad faced a number of health challenges with courage, grace and a sense of humour, and was beloved by the staff at Ironwood Gardens who provided exceptional care and compassion.
Funeral mass is scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 37 Burrows Road, Pinawa, MB. Interment in Pinawa Cemetery. Lunch to Follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Francis of Assisi Parish Building Maintenance Fund, or Siloam Mission.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 03, 2025
Condolences & Memories (1 entries)
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To all Bill’s family, My heartfelt condolences to you all at this very sad time of a life well lived. I have many fond memories golfing at Pinawa and Texas with Bill and Jo. The fun times we had at their 50th anniversary in Pinawa. The parties they hosted in Texas. They were a wonderful couple and will be missed by many. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal but Love leaves memories no one can steal. May all your wonderful memories you shared together somehow sustain you in your time of sorrow. - Posted by: Marlyn Harding (Friend) on: May 03, 2025