ROBERT (BOB) POLINUK

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ROBERT (BOB) POLINUK After a life of hard work, Bob left in peace at the Selkirk and District Hospital on September 29, 2014 and is now at rest. Left to cherish many memories are his wife of 58 years, Doreen, sons Ron (Cindy) and Gary (Michele), brother George (Shirley), sister-in-law Nancy (Derek) Stefanyshyn and brothers-in-law Jack (Sheila) Phelan and Jim Liness. Bob was predeceased by his parents Nicholi and Anne, brothers Donald and Frank, sisters Susan and Judith. He leaves behind family, many friends and those he met through his business life. Bob was born in Selkirk and spent much of his younger years at Grand Beach. Bob married Doreen in 1956. Bob knew at a young age that he wanted to start and run his own business. He wore many "hats" in his life and Bob was successful in all his endeavours. Bob was very hard working, 27 hours per day! He started with a caterpillar tractor and a dump truck and began digging basements. In winter months he took his equipment to Bissett and skidded logs. He next built his own body shop, Hi-way Autobody. Bob had the opportunity to go on a fly-in fishing trip, and when he got back he knew he wanted to obtain his pilot's license so he could pursue his dream of building his own camp. His first camp was Harrop Lake with three outpost camps on Charron, Wrong and Eardley. The fly-in fishing business and love of flying led Bob to purchase Selkirk Air. An aircraft maintenance business followed, which is now operated by his son Gary under the name Riverside Aircraft Maintenance. Bob had several planes over the years and he started numerous camps on many lakes. He also ran a base out of Bissett for several years. Bob loved flying up north. Any plane that ever left his dock was never empty! His last camp was Charron Lake which he owned and operated until a couple of years ago. Many employees were influenced and trained by Bob over the years with his strong work ethic and skills. Bob had a strong heart for animals. His hangar and home would often have dogs and cats. Winters would be enjoyed by feeding the deer in his backyard. His animals were never hungry! Bob's true passion in life was work and working hard, however Bob and Doreen did take time to travel to Vegas for many years. Bob would still be working today if he wasn't afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. Bob could no longer fly and his heart and soul faded as he was forced to retire. The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses that cared for Bob while he was in the hospital these past weeks. Cremation has taken place. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Diabetes Association (Manitoba Division), Alzheimer Society of Manitoba or a charity of your choice. As Bob would want it, we will celebrate his life at the end of floatplane season, when the docks are out and camps are closed. A come and go celebration will take place on November 15, 2014 where Bob spent many hours, the hangar, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com
Publish Date: Oct 4, 2014

ROBERT (BOB) POLINUK After a life of hard work, Bob left in peace at the Selkirk and District Hospital on September 29, 2014 and is now at rest. Left to cherish many memories are his wife of 58 years, Doreen, sons Ron (Cindy) and Gary (Michele), brother George (Shirley), sister-in-law Nancy (Derek) Stefanyshyn and brother-in-law Jim Liness. Bob was predeceased by his parents Nicholi and Anne, brothers Donald and Frank, sisters Susan and Judith. He leaves behind family, many friends and those he met through his business life. Bob was born in Selkirk and spent much of his younger years at Grand Beach. Bob married Doreen in 1956. Bob knew at a young age that he wanted to start and run his own business. He wore many "hats" in his life and Bob was successful in all his endeavours. Bob was very hard working, 27 hours per day! He started with a caterpillar tractor and a dump truck and began digging basements. In winter months he took his equipment to Bissett and skidded logs. He next built his own body shop, Hi-way Autobody. Bob had the opportunity to go on a fly-in fishing trip, and when he got back he knew he wanted to obtain his pilot's license so he could pursue his dream of building his own camp. His first camp was Harrop Lake with three outpost camps on Charron, Wrong and Eardley. The fly-in fishing business and love of flying led Bob to purchase Selkirk Air. An aircraft maintenance business followed, which is now operated by his son Gary under the name Riverside Aircraft Maintenance. Bob had several planes over the years and he started numerous camps on many lakes. He also ran a base out of Bissett for several years. Bob loved flying up north. Any plane that ever left his dock was never empty! His last camp was Charron Lake which he owned and operated until a couple of years ago. Many employees were influenced and trained by Bob over the years with his strong work ethic and skills. Bob had a strong heart for animals. His hangar and home would often have dogs and cats. Winters would be enjoyed by feeding the deer in his backyard. His animals were never hungry! Bob's true passion in life was work and working hard, however Bob and Doreen did take time to travel to Vegas for many years. Bob would still be working today if he wasn't afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. Bob could no longer fly and his heart and soul faded as he was forced to retire. The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses that cared for Bob while he was in the hospital these past weeks. Cremation has taken place. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Diabetes Association (Manitoba Division), Alzheimer Society of Manitoba or a charity of your choice. As Bob would want it, we will celebrate his life at the end of floatplane season, when the docks are out and camps are closed. A come and go celebration will take place on November 15, 2014 where Bob spent many hours, the hangar, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com
Publish Date: Oct 3, 2014

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 04, 2014