NICK SYNENKO

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NICK SYNENKO October 12, 1924 - November 14, 2007 It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Nick Synenko on November 14, 2007 at home, at the age of 83. He left his wife, Helen and his two sons Nick and Richard; Daughters-in-law Revi and Carole; four grandchildren, Marc, Cristina, Cynthia and Andrea; and two great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Pantalis. Nick was born on October 12, 1924 in Bondari, Ukraine. From the age of nine, he was raised in Russia. He worked in La Guira, Venezuela as a power plant stationary engineer, which supplied electricity to the City of Caracas. The family immigrated to Canada in 1951. Settling in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he worked for 18 years at Bristol Aerospace Industries; and for another 18 years he worked for the Manitoba Concert Hall as building and theatre services and maintenance manager, where he met many people including performing artists, many of who became his personal friends. Nick loved to sing, and studied opera for seven years with Professor Labinsky of Winnipeg. He sang with many choirs including the Philharmonic Choir, which performed with 100 singers. Nick was a positive, happy person, who wished the best for all those that he met. In 1983, he retired and moved to Nanaimo, where he built a home, which he and his wife enjoyed for four years; after which he moved to Gabriola Island. On Gabriola, he built three homes, one for himself and his wife Helen, and one for each of his sons Nick and Richard. He spent 18 years on Gabriola, which he called a Paradise. He made many friends and established good relations with other builders and trades people. Whenever possible, Nick always tried to work with local trades, and paid special attention to those who were in need of work. During this time, they provided accommodation for a young mother, and helped raise her baby girl (Mira) from the age of seven months to five years. To this day, Mira remembers her adopted' grandparents Nick and Helen. Battling cancer, Nick moved with his wife to Vancouver to be closer to their family in 2004. Towards the end of his life, he continued to work by telephone, even as he was ill and bed-ridden for the last six weeks of his life. His life was finished by cancer on November 14, 2007. Our hearts are saddened, but we will have loving memories of our dear husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He organized and built a rich life for us all. He was buried in Vancouver on November 15, 2007. Rest in peace. You did so much for your family.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 08, 2007