OREST DROBEY

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OREST DROBEY
October 4, 1937 - August 9, 2022

Peacefully on August 9, 2022, our Uncle Orest passed away at Oakview Place at the age of 84 years.
Left to cherish Orest's memory are his nieces, Barb, Leslie, Corinne and Patti (Dan); his great-nieces and nephews, Adam, Colin (Rebecca) and family, Masataka (Salina), Jordan, Rachel, and Matthew. Orest was predeceased by his parents, Nikolai and Nellie, brothers, Billy and Johnny, and sisters, Mary and Ollie. He was also predeceased by his very special cats, Peanuts, Poly and Suzie for which they always held a special place in his heart.
Orest was exceptionally talented at crafting world class model airplanes. At a young age in Vegreville, Alberta he started building model aircraft. It soon became an obsession of his throughout his life, and as he would tell everyone who crossed paths with him, his hobby saved his life from alcohol. Orest had a unique ability for manipulating metal. His planes were made from common household materials that he gathered from the most unusual places.
Orest entered the Toledo R/C Exposition Show many times and was fortunate to receive a number of awards. He was also given the Director's Award for Achievement for his Westland Lysander in 1986. Some of his work is featured in the Western Canadian Aviation Museum.
Some of the planes Orest built that he was most proud of include the B-36, Spitfire, Westland Lysander, Bellanca Aircruiser, Spartan Executive and Cessna 195 to name a few. His workmanship was extraordinary, and his planes were truly one-of-a-kind, built with precision like no other.
By trade, Orest was an autobody mechanic. He made lifelong friends, Wes and Gary, while working for Corydon Autobody for many years. In addition to his planes, Orest enjoyed making bird houses, trains, planters, and garden décor for his family.
As Orest's health declined, he was blessed to have friends, Jennet and Grace, help look after him in his time of need. Our family would like to thank them for all their kindness and support over the past years.
We will cherish our memories of our Uncle Orest as they will live on in our hearts forever and never to be forgotten.
Respecting Orest's wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life and private family interment will be held at a later date.

NEIL BARDAL
FUNERAL CENTRE
204-949-2200
neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 20, 2022