WILLIAM ROIK

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WILLIAM (BILL) ROIK It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to William (Bill) Roik, who passed away peacefully on February 18, 2017, a month short of his 90th birthday. Bill was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is deeply missed and fondly remembered by his wife of 62 years, Julia, his children Carol (Robert) Banera and Janet (Doug) Milne, his grandchildren, Derek Banera (Maria), Carrie Whyte, Brian Milne (Megan) and Tanis (Patrick) Thiessen, as well as his great-grandson Corydon Whyte. He also leaves to mourn his brother Hank (Irene) Roik, sisters Mary Osadchuk and Olga (John) Penner, and brother-in-law Steve Bejzyk. He was predeceased by his parents Onofry and Hilkary Roik, sister Anne and brother-in-law Bill Butchko, and brother-in-law Nick Osadchuk. Bill came to Canada from Ukraine in 1936 and began farming in the Libau area at a very young age. Throughout his life, he took on many jobs. He spent time in the bush camps around Pine Falls, he worked at Pepsi Cola, and at CP Rail but his true desire was always to work the land. In 1965 he followed his passion and devoted himself to his farming operation in the Interlake until he retired in 1995. Through those years on the farm, Bill and Julia raised their two daughters, made many life-long friends and enjoyed their 'Golden Years' by spending several winters in Texas and traveling to the West Coast. Several years after retiring, he built a home close to his family in East St. Paul and enjoyed walking and riding his bicycle through the neighbourhood and going for Sunday drives to the country. No one in East St. Paul had a shinier bike or a cleaner vehicle than Bill. He enjoyed his Ukrainian music and never missed his Saturday night 'Polka Party' on the radio. He was always a kind, caring and gentle man and held himself to a high standard in everything he did. If anything was worth doing, it was worth doing well. Family and friends were extremely important to him and he was always willing to lend a hand to anyone that needed it. Everyone knew that if they needed their machinery fixed or if they were missing a part, Bill was their guy. If he didn't have it, he would make it. Bill will be truly missed by all. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Kildonan Personal Care Home for their care and attention over the last year. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 25, 2017, at Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main Street, West St. Paul, MB. Viewing will take place one hour prior. Interment and reception will follow the service. Glen Eden Funeral Home & Cemetery 204-338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 23, 2017