Obituary of Victor Nester Chaykowski

Victor Chaykowski passed away peacefully on October 8th, 2024, at the St. Norbert Personal Care Home. Born on October 3rd, 1930, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Victor recently celebrated his 94th birthday. Despite facing many health challenges during these last two and a half years, Victor’s determination and motivation to recover remained strong, fueled by his devotion to his wife Helen and his desire to be by her side.

Victor was a devoted, caring, generous, and loving husband, stepfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

He will be lovingly remembered and missed by his wife of 39 years, Helen; his sister, Mary Miller; his sons Doug (Lynn), Fred (Debbie), Brian and daughter Beverley; nephews Garry and Clinton; grandchildren Jennifer, Ryan Jason, Brian, Donna-Lynn, Katie, Emily, Christian and Michelle. Victor was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Gladys, brother-in-law Alvin Miller, daughter Linda Alm, and son-in-law, Laurie Main.

Victor was a man of many talents. Leaving Winnipeg at a young age, he moved to Regina, where he started his own locksmith business, Vic’s Key Service. He performed many tasks in his shop and on the road, installing, repairing, and replacing locks and security devices day or night. Victor loved to cook, acquiring most of his cooking experience working on the trains; his favourite dish was roast of beef and Yorkshire pudding with a Waldorf salad on the side.

After many years living in Regina, Vic was introduced to his beautiful wife, Helen, through his sister Mary. After a short courtship, Vic and Helen were married on October 19th, 1985. They spent the next 39 years working together at Vic’s Keys, going to bingo and the casino, taking a few road trips, and playing rummy daily, at least three times a day, for twenty-five cents a game. After many years of working together, they retired and returned to Winnipeg, where they continued their favourite activities and started walking at the St. Vital Mall, where they made many new friends.

Besides his lovely wife, Victor loved watching football, cheering on the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. If he wasn’t watching football, Young and the Restless or CNN, he could be found in his lazy boy chair watching an old John Wayne movie or any other black and white western movies, occasionally with his eyes closed. Another of Vic’s favourite pastimes was playing the lottery every week; he enjoyed scratching lottery tickets or taking his picture at the casino with his winning cheque. During the last two years, Vic eagerly waited for his monthly trip to the casino on the Transit Plus bus. He once went to the casino with a broken hip, but he never told anyone as he didn’t want to miss out.

Vic’s hobbies included writing short stories, collecting matchbook covers, writing poetry, and occasionally smoking a good cigar. He spent many hours at his computer writing stories, some mysteries or romances. He loved to include details from the past in his fictional works. He devoted many hours to his poetry writing. Over the years, he has written hundreds of poems inspired by his feelings, emotions, experiences, and love of nature.  

The last few weeks of Victor’s life were rather difficult as he just wanted to be at home with his loving wife, Helen. In his room, we found one last poem he wrote, a little gift to those he loved…

A Look at Nature

When I see the grass so green

And flowers all in bloom

The birds in joyous company

such things cannot be bought

 

When I see beyond the trees

the sky so fair and blue

The sun shines at its brightest

brings a warming thought

 

When I hear the echoing

that rustle in the trees

It sounds like an orchestra

playing a song for me

 

When I hear my orchestra

the instruments of life

It sounds just like a symphony

The whole world has sought

                                             V.N.C

 

A sincere thank you to all the home care attendants who cared for Victor and made a difference in his daily life; your excellent care, kind words, patience, and laughter during the daily visits did not go unnoticed.  And to the staff at St. Norbert Personal Care Home who made Victor’s short visit an amazing one, thank you for the wonderful care and compassion. We extend our warm appreciation and sincere thanks to the Dakota House staff. Victor’s daily interactions with the dining staff, housekeepers, activity directors, and every staff member at the front desk put a smile on his face; thank you.

As per Victor’s wishes, cremation has taken place, and there will be no funeral.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.