Obituary of NICK FRUNCHAK

NICK FRUNCHAK February 23, 1913 - March 05, 2016 Peacefully on Saturday, March 5, 2016, Nick passed away at the age of 103 at Tuxedo Villa. Nick was predeceased by his wife Anne (Dynkavitch) 1990, father George, mother Maria, sisters Ann Dryden, Lorna Trachuk, Verna Batenchuk, and brother Fred. He will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by daughter Linda, son-in-law Russ Smyrichinsky, granddaughter Lisa, and nieces and nephews. Nick was born in Czernowitz, Bukovina, Romania. He grew up in Point Douglas and attended Norquay and St. John's Tech where he studied carpentry and found employment building kitchen cabinets. He even built a rocking chair and rocking horse for his granddaughter Lisa. Nick retired from the CPR in 1972 after 30 years as a fireman on steam engines and a locomotive engineer. Dad had a passion for swimming his entire life. He swam until age 93 when he moved into Concordia Village. There he walked daily and at 98 continued his walking routine at Tuxedo Villa. As a member of the YMCA Tankers Speed Swimming Club he loved to compete in the three mile races. He was a swimming instructor at the Central YMCA (1931-1939), at HMCS Chippewa for the Navy Cadets, and at the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church summer camps in Gimli. He volunteered as a Red Cross Water Safety instructor for many years. Nick was so proud to receive numerous awards from the Royal Life Saving Society. He gave free swimming lessons to seniors at the Centennial Pool where he also learned synchronized swimming. Nick enjoyed the challenge of scuba diving at West Hawk Lake. At the Pan Am Games in 1967 Dad volunteered to time-keep at the swimming events. The most jubilant time of Dad's life were his years working as a lifeguard at Winnipeg Beach (1932-1941) where his name is forever on plank number S288 on the boardwalk. The family wishes to thank Dr. Jain, the nurses, and health care aides on Station 2, all staff at Tuxedo Villa and Nick's night HCA "Angels". Funeral Service will be held March 14, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. followed by burial at Elmwood Cemetery. Donations in memory of Nick can be made to the Salvation Army 203-290 Vaughan St. Winnipeg R3B 2N8 (204-975-1033)