Michael (Mike) Rachuk Sr.

November 21, 1935 – June 29, 2020

Peacefully on Monday, June 29, 2020 at Beausejour Regional Hospital, Mike passed away at the age of 84. 

Mike was born and raised in Stead, Manitoba on the family farm where he continued to live all of his life until his health declined.  Right from a very young age he always loved nature and being outdoors.  He could frequently be found walking in the bush admiring the trees and the plants.  This love for trees and the bush led him to his career at Abitibi Price, first as a cook’s assistant in the bush camps then as a wood scaler where he worked for 38 years until his retirement.   

After retiring Mike continued to enjoy his time in the bush cutting firewood with his sons, cutting grass, driving around in the golf cart with Buddy the German Sheppard and getting stuck in the mud.  He enjoyed planting his garden but when it came to the harvest, not so much. 

Mike also had a deep love for animals and he especially loved to feed them.  It wasn’t unusual to find him leaning over the stove cooking the juice for the many hummingbirds that he fed throughout the summer months.

Mike held a special talent for woodwork and loved building things such as snowmen, tulips and wishing wells.  He loved to watch sports especially hockey and was an enthusiastic Toronto Maple Leafs fan.  We would laugh as he seemed to skate on the couch almost falling off:  it was hilarious.

Through his pastime of playing baseball he met his cherished wife Jean who he married in 1961.  They went on to raise their three children together until Jean’s untimely death in 1986.  Jean was forever in Mike’s heart and was always sadly missed.  Mike was very proud of his family and one of his greatest joys was spending time with his two grandchildren Heather and Jordan.

Mike was predeceased by his beloved wife Jean and son in law Michael Koniak, his parents Theodore and Martha, his sisters Mary, Annie (Paul) Smorhay, brothers Stan (Anne), Steve (Doris), Tony (Eleanor), Paul, and Joseph (Margaret). 

He will be lovingly remembered by his children Pat Koniak, Michael (Karen) and Jimmy Rachuk, his grandchildren Heather (Ryan) and Jordan Koniak, his friend Jeannette, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Our family would like to thank Dr. Partyka, all the nurses and staff at Beausejour Regional Hospital for their excellent care during dad’s lengthy stay at the hospital as well as the exceptional home care workers and nurses from Pine Falls Regional Health that attended to dad’s needs.  We would also like to thank his special niece Beverly Rachuk for her daily assistance with dad’s care.

Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 7 at 11:00 a.m. at Sobering Funeral Chapel, 1035 Park Avenue E., Beausejour with viewing one hour prior to the service.  Interment will follow in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Parish Cemetary, Gull Lake.  Two separate groups of 50 will be welcomed into the Chapel.  Please check in with the parking lot attendant upon arrival.  Family, please make you way to the back entrance and parking lot upon arrival.  Strict social distancing protocols will be in effect,

In lieu flowers, donations may be made to the Beausejour Hospital TV fund.

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com

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