Obituaries

EDWARD (ED) JOHN CHOPTUIK
January 17,1939 – September 24, 2021

With sadness the family wishes to announce that Ed passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday September 24, 2021.

Ed was born on January 17,1939 in Shoal Lake, Manitoba, the youngest of four children to John and Nellie Choptuik (nee Hulyk).

Ed was predeceased by two of his children, Tracy and Jason; his parents; his brother Bill, and sister Helen. He is survived by his children Kim, Carol (Bill) and Trevor; sister and best friend Ruth (late Walter Twerdun); two grandsons; four great grandsons, and numerous nieces & nephews.

Ed grew up on the family farm and had many fond memories of those years. He truly believed those were the good old days and loved to tell stories about them. He kept tabs on what was happening in rural Manitoba and always enjoyed visiting the multiple generations of his nieces and nephews who live there.

He graduated Manitoba Teacher’s College in 1958 and had his first teaching position in Mountain Road MB. at the age of 19. He later earned his B.A. in Sociology from University of Winnipeg in 1973. He always considered himself a teacher and his entire career was spent in the field of education until he retired in 1995 as an Assistant Superintendent of Education.

He loved to travel within Canada and the U.S. and embarked on many road trips camping in a tent or trailer with the family in tow. He loved to cook on a camp stove! One of his favorite trips was up the Dempster Highway to Tuktoyaktuk NT with Trevor.

He was a proud Canadian and history buff. Dad could always be counted on for lively debate on any topic. He had great interest in world events, anything political, economics, sports, agriculture, and so, so many others. He could discuss any topic from any angle and sometimes even from different angles within the same conversation. (If you know, you know)

He was very interested in and proud of his Ukrainian heritage. One of his favorite pastimes was learning about his family’s history. He spent countless hours doing genealogical research and amassed many binders of information on his family both from Canada and the “old country”.

He was also a lifelong hockey fan and was thrilled when the Winnipeg Jets returned to Manitoba (although Bobby Orr was always his favourite).

In lieu of flowers donations to The MS Society / Winnipeg Harvest / Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.

A grave-side service will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 1:00 at the Holy Family Cemetery 4355 Main Street, West Saint Paul.

A reception will follow. The location will be announced on Saturday at the service. Covid capacity and masking protocols will be in place. Proof of vaccination will be required at the door.

Vichnaya Pamyat