JOHN ALEXANDER POKLITAR

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JOHN ALEXANDER POKLITAR John Poklitar passed away at Carman Memorial Hospital on October 31, 2016 at the age of 84. John was predeceased by father Wasyl and mother Tekla (nee Szypot), sister Anne Sokal and brother-in-law John, brother Nick and sister-in-law Min. He is survived by nephews Bill Sokol (Denise), Michael Sokol (Joanne), Jim Poklitar (Virginia), and nieces Cheryl Jackson, Janice Pepper (Allan), Joanne Moloney (David), and Eileen Poklitar, as well as numerous great nephews and great nieces. John Poklitar was born in the RM of Pembina, MB on May 9, 1932. He lived on the family farm just south of Carman until his parents passed, and in Carman itself for the rest of his days. John spent enough time in Winnipeg to appreciate the more leisurely pace and friendliness of Carman, and was well known and recognized in the community. John had a great deal of knowledge and interest in vehicles of all types. He took a Mechanics program at Manitoba Technical Institute (now Red River College) in the 1950s. He worked most of his adult life in the automotive industry, with Bearing & Automotive Wholesale, and with Parkway Motors. Evenings and weekends, he could often be found at 313 Texaco or Ed's Tire Shop, with the guys, talking cars, and life in general. John had his own opinions, and was never shy about expressing them. He may not have said much, but when he did, you had better listen! Carman City Council was one of his favorite targets, and he carried a permanent grudge against Trudeau Sr for the imperial to metric conversion, from 1970 on. John earned a reputation as a smart and accurate bookkeeper, and was recognized by friends as the most honest person they knew. He applied meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of his life. John didn't have any of his own children, but neatly documented the lives of his extended family, and his friends' families, with wedding invitations, photos, Christmas cards, and notices of passings, over a great number of years. He took great pride in his yard, winning the Carman Chamber of Commerce Yard of the Month award for September, 1985, and Yard of the Decade from 1985 to 1995! Although not widely known, John was a country music fan, and a Coronation Street aficionado. As well, he was a top level marksman, earning Dominion Marksman Expert (5905/6000) honors in 1963. He enjoyed hunting and boating with his friends, as well as "touring", or just going for a drive, and dining with them at a variety of Carman restaurants. His greatest joy in life was just being with his friends, and each one that passed before him took a piece of him with them. Whether it was standing up for his friends at their weddings, stacking sandbags when the floods came, or just listening and offering sage advice, John supported his friends unconditionally, and they returned their support without hesitation. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Doyle's Funeral Home, Carman. Interment will take place on a later date in Greenwood Cemetery, Carman. Viewing will be held prior to the service. Special thanks to the Palliative Care Unit at Carman Memorial Hospital, for their excellent care and compassion. Doyle's Funeral Home in care of arrangements. www.doylesfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Nov 5, 2016

JOHN ALEXANDER POKLITAR On Monday October 31, 2016 at the Carman Memorial Hospital, John Poklitar, aged 84 years of Carman, Manitoba. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Doyle's Funeral Home with Karen Tjaden officiating. Viewing will be held prior to the service. Interment will take place in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of one's choice. Full obituary to follow Doyle's Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements. www.doylesfuneralchapel.com

Publish Date: Nov 4, 2016

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 05, 2016