EUGENE PRUSAK

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EUGENE PRUSAK In the early morning of May 21, 2017, at the Misericordia Health Centre Interim Care, in the comfort of what had been his home for the past year, Eugene received his final train order. Eugene was born in Candiac, Saskatchewan in August 1929 to Pawlina and Leon Prusak, Ukrainian immigrants who were finding their way in a new country. He grew up in many small towns throughout Saskatchewan with his sister and three brothers. His family and Ukrainian heritage were always a great source of personal pride. In 2008, he travelled to Ukraine which was a very memorable trip. Eugene worked for the Canadian National Railways starting as a Call Boy when he was 17 years old, and ended his 37 year career as the Coordinator of Car Management for the Prairie Region. Railway and trains were one of his life's passions. He was a dedicated employee who enjoyed every job and posting he had with the railway where he met many lifelong friends. In the mid 1950s he accepted a job in Dauphin, Manitoba. It was here where he met Dorothy, a registered nurse at Dauphin General who helped him convalesce after a major automobile accident. They were married in 1955 and raised four children. Their priority was always their family and they worked hard to provide many opportunities for music, travel, sports and education. Eugene and Dorothy retired in 1984, a true "freedom 55". Together, they planned to build a retirement life with a new cottage at St. Laurent and a winter home base in Brownsville, Texas. Sadly, Dorothy never lived to see completion of the cottage and spent only one final year in Texas before her death in 1988. This began another phase of Eugene's life where he met Juanita. They spent many years travelling between their homes in Texas, St. Laurent and later at Agape Villa in Winnipeg. In early 2016, Eugene suffered a severe stroke, and his life took a major turn. Under unfortunate circumstances, good fortune saw him move to the Misericordia Health Centre, Cornish 2 South where he received compassionate, professional personal care. He was always treated with the utmost dignity and respect. He thrived on daily family visits, which included countless hours of "Leo Tossing" and visits to the 7th floor family room and garden. Eugene was predeceased by his parents, wife Dorothy, partner Juanita, and brothers Ernie and Izzy. He leaves his four children Charlie (Joanne), Claudia, Cindy (Randy), and Cathy (Marc), sister Emilie, brother Dennis (Arlene) and their children Susan, Stephen, Brent and Dawn. He also leaves behind a legacy of friends from all phases of his life, which included a very special relationship with the Bilous family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, or to the Misericordia Health Centre Foundation (in support of Interim Care). A memorial gathering will be held Friday, May 26 at 10:00 a.m., at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue. Life is like an old time rail journey - with many stops, sidetracks, and jolts along the way interspersed with adventure, beautiful vistas, and thrilling bursts of speed. The key is being grateful for the ride. Any man can be a father but it takes someone special to be a "Dad" - you will be missed. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 24, 2017