Obituary of Simon Nimchuk

CELEBRATION OF LIFE A Celebration of Dad’s Life will be held on October 27, 2021 at the Elmhurst Golf and Country Club, Provincial Road 213, at 1:00 pm. Celebration begins at 1:15 pm. As per health orders, only fully vaccinated people may attend, status will be checked upon arrival. Please RSVP to: [email protected] - by October 20, 2021 ------------------------- Cy passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at the age of 87. Dad will be greatly missed by his children Cheryl, Karen (Rob), Debbie (Allan), Brad (Leslie) and Sonia (John); grandchildren Sean, Drew, Kayla and Amber; sister-in-law Betty, and brother-in-law Henry (Hank). Dad was predeceased by the love of his life, Sophie and his brother, Murray. Despite having four children of their own, Mom and Dad made the decision of adding to their already large family, by adopting our cousin Cheryl. She fast became sister Cheryl and a member of our family in every way Dad was born to Peter and Jennie Nimchuk and raised in Hazelridge, Manitoba. Growing up, Dad loved all sports, with special interest in baseball and hockey. After working on the family farm, Dad enrolled in Teachers' Training College to become an educator, where he met his long time friend Wally Stoyko. They remained friends for over 70 years until Dad’s passing. Dad's teaching career began at Beatrice School and after two years, Dad relocated to St. Vital School Division where he would spend the next 30 plus years. Most of Dad's career as an educator was spent as a principal of various schools, Lavallee, Windsor and Dr. Penner, to name but three. As Dad was such a people person and greatly respected, it was even in his retirement that staff and students alike continuously kept in touch. Throughout his life, Dad pursued his love of music teaching himself mostly to both read music and play the accordion. The first band that Dad played in was with Jack Findlay and the Night Riders where he met the love of his life, a feisty Sophie Margaret. While Dad played with other bands, he eventually founded the Western Canadians and the band played at countless dances, weddings and the like throughout Winnipeg and the surrounding areas of Manitoba. While Rhymin Simon (as we kids loved to call him) put down his accordion when our family was young to have more time with us, he truly never put it down. Oh, how we remember early Saturday and Sunday mornings as Dad practised (to not lose his touch) and would walk up and down the hallways of Moncton Avenue opening our bedroom doors so we could hear him. Dad was involved in many organizations throughout his lifetime and always found his way into leadership positions. Some of these organizations included: St. Vital Rotary, the Seniors' Group of St. Anne's Church, the Senior Scene at Victoria Beach, the church vestries of St. Saviour's Church, and he greatly loved his Kildonan Place Walking Buddies and the Kendall’s Coffee Group. As a family, our favourite memories include camping weekends, family trips throughout Canada and the U.S., sit-down dinners for 40 at 987 Moncton Ave., house parties, Thanksgiving weekends at Hillside and so many more. One of our fondest memories was when Mom gave Dad the choice of: getting a dog, OR, getting a dog! Lady joined our family and quickly became Dad’s after school napping companion. Dad loved all animals, Sonia and John’s dog, Lacey; Cheryl’s cats, Spicy and Desi; Brad and Leslie’s dogs, DJ and Max; but most recently Cooper, Karen and Rob’s dog. Dad will be missed very much by his grand dog Cooper who loved sitting on Grandpa’s lap as he always had a special treat for her. Cooper brought much joy to Dad’s life. When Mom and Dad both retired, they took their dream trip to Europe and spent many years as snowbirds in San Antonio. They built a beautiful retirement home at Hillside Beach and spent many great years there until they moved back to Winnipeg. The family wishes to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. S. Thiem for taking such great care of Dad in his final years. We would also like to thank Dr. Schacter, Joanne and Myra (HSC) for the exceptional kindness and care shown to our father in these most difficult times and his final days. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dad’s name to either Winnipeg Harvest or Siloam Mission! Dad always believed in helping people. Due to Covid-19, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. It was only a short while ago that Dad said to Cheryl “I just want to dance with my wife on our Anniversary”. Dad got his wish as they celebrated their 65th Anniversary together on October 29th. Dad, we miss you beyond measure, but we also know that you are once again dancing with Mom.