David Rehaluk

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of David Rehaluk on Saturday, June 2, 2018. David will always be loved and missed by his wife Wladyslawa (Wladzia), son Paul and daughter Christine, and mother-in-law Janina Zdulska. He leaves behind many cousins, friends, and family. He was predeceased by his beloved parents Steve and Annie Rehaluk, his brother John Rehaluk and his father-in-law Bronisław Zdulski.
 
David was born in Sudbury, Ontario on January 5, 1945. In 1947, Annie and Steve moved the family to Rorketon, Manitoba where they owned and operated a hardware store for the next twenty years. David graduated from the Rorketon Collegiate. He attended Brandon University and the University of Manitoba, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. In 1967, David moved to Prince Rupert where he was employed with Columbia Cellulose and he was an active member of Local 4 of the Pulp, Paper, and Woodworkers of Canada. 

While in Prince Rupert, David was a member of the Steering Committee that established the Watson Island Hockey League. David also coached teams in minor hockey and minor baseball. He also loved to get together to play hockey with his friends.

In 1975, David quit his job at Columbia Cellulose and moved to Manitoba. He attended Assiniboine Community College in Brandon and in 1976 he graduated with a Certificate in Social Services. For the next four years, he was employed by Assiniboine Community College as an Adult Education Instructor in the following communities: Camperville, Roblin, McCreary and Swan River. In 1980 David moved to Dauphin and commenced employment as a counsellor and Life Skills Coach with Parkland Human Resources Opportunity Centre. He worked there until 1993. During that time, he received his Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education at Red River College in Winnipeg. From 1993 until 2014 he worked for Brandon University as a Coordinator for Campus Manitoba. It was a job that he enjoyed very much.
 
On August 10, 1991, David married his beloved wife Wladzia Zdulska. In March 1995, they were blessed with their first child Paul and in October 1996 they were blessed with their daughter Christine. David beamed with pride. David’s children were the most important thing to him and he cared for nothing more. He spent many hours driving them to school and their activities. Education was very important for David and he watched them succeed in their endeavors.
 
David had several passions: photography, reading and politics. He liked skiing, going for walks, and biking. He was an avid reader and liked to stay informed of currents events. David was a kind and friendly person and he truly cared about everyone in his life. He was generous to a fault and was always there to do everyone a favour. He was the eternal optimist. David had a deep faith in God.
 
From 1991-1993 he served as a director for Area #2 (Parkland Region), Manitoba Government Employees Union. In 1998-1999, David was a Director on the Dauphin Plains Credit Union board. In 2007 until his passing he served as a Director on the board of the Dauphin Consumers Co-operative Ltd. He was the President of the Dauphin District Labour Committee since 2013. David believed strongly in equal opportunity for everyone. He focused his unwavering commitment with his leadership skills while serving as president for the Dauphin NDP Constituency Association dating back to the early 1980’s for John Plohman and continued for many years with Stan Struthers when both served as MLA’s for Dauphin. David also served as President for the Federal NDP Association until the time of his passing. In his lifetime, he worked in every provincial and federal campaign spanning 30 years. David was awarded the Fred Zaplitny Memorial Award by the Dauphin Association in 2012 and received the Pioneer Award by the provincial New Democratic Party. Both awards recognize his commitment and his level of service to a cause in which he strongly believed. To these organizations, he was a constant source of good sound advice and excellent organizational skills.  He was a man they could count on to be there when needed. He was devoted, and believed if we worked together we could all make a difference.
 
A quote from J.S Woodsworth “what we desire for ourselves, we wish for all.” 

He strongly believed this and lived his life this way, every day. He will be profoundly missed.
 
We love you David, you will be missed dearly by all of us. May you rest in peace.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or the Liver Foundation of Canada. 

Prayers were offered on Friday, June 8, 2018 at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Resurrection in Dauphin, MB. Divine Liturgy was held on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 10 am from the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Resurrection in Dauphin, MB with Very Rev. Father Oleg Bodnarski officiating. Interment followed in Riverside Cemetery in Dauphin, MB. Pallbearers were William Rehaluk, Stan Storozinski, Fred Pulak, Vern Zatwarnicki, Vic Mazier, Hank Gorzala, Brian Juce and David Juce. 

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