Jacob "Jake" Robak

Jacob "Jake" Robak of Grandview, MB, passed away on April 16, 2025 at the age of 73 years.

Jake was born on September 6, 1951, in Grandview, Mb. He was the youngest child of Steve and Annie (Bogoslowski) Robak. He was predeceased by his father Steve and his mother Annie (Bogoslowski) Robak, of Grandview, brothers Peter & Victor Robak, of Grandview, sister Bernice Harrison of Grandview & sister Roze Burk of Red Deer. He is survived by his brother Fred (Darlene) Robak, & sister Mary Robak, his children Michael Robak of Grandview, Jon (Cassandra) Robak, of Grandview, Jennifer (Daylan) Robak of Melville, & Matthew (Danita) Robak of Brandon. He is also survived by his grandchildren Jillissa & Jazzlynn Robertson of Gilbert Plains, Brogan & Decker Robak of Grandview, Jayce & Rylan Davies of Melville, & Rylan Kondra of Brandon. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, close friends and extended family members.

Dad began working at a very young age on the family farm. He went on to work many different jobs over the course of his life. He worked for Manitoba Hydro out at Kelsey Dam & Kettle Dam in his younger years. He worked at the Gillam Rec Centre for a time as well as working for a crop duster out in Gillam. In time, he ended up working in Roblin Mb, where he began working for the town of Roblin. He did some farming out there as well. He went on to work at AG Air services for a time before eventually taking a job with the town of Grandview, where he would remain for the next 35 plus years. He also joined the Grandview Fire Department and remained dedicated to the fire department for over 30 years. It was there in Grandview, Dad along with his wife at the time, Susan, raised the four of us. Michael, Jonathan, Jennifer and Matthew.

Along with working for the town and being a member of the fire department, dad continued to work on the family farm, with his brother Victor. Dad enjoyed being out at the farm. I can remember many road trips out there, listening to loud music along the way, a can of beer in between dad’s legs, rifle in the truck and ready for any beavers we may see along the way, or geese or whatever season it was for hunting. Most days, after work dad would come home, load us in the truck and head out to the farm.

There were so many things dad enjoyed. Those who knew him well, knew how much he loved hunting! He hunted everything, anything from beavers, geese, elk, tons of deer, and the list goes on. Along with hunting, dad also loved to fish. He’d pack us kids up early on Saturday & Sunday mornings and we’d head off to Lake of the Prairies where he’d spend time teaching us how to fish. He loved being out on his boat, especially when he had the jet boat.

Dad was always doing something. If he wasn’t at work, fire practice, hunting, fishing, or on the farm, he could always be found lending a helping hand to someone whether it was re-shingling a roof, building a shed or splitting wood. Lots of memories of dad splitting wood. There was always work to be done. Even on days he was home, the phone would be ringing, and it would be someone asking for dad, whether it was to open up the dump or come help with something.

A fond memory I have of dad that I do want to share, is the way he used to wake us up on Saturday mornings to let us know the Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show was on. We’d come down to him frying up bacon and eggs in his cast iron skillet, dancing and singing, usually in Ukrainian. I could never understand a word of it, but I can still hear the words.

Dad had a love for so many things; animals was one of them. Especially his dogs. The amount of animals we used to bring home, dad included, and nine times out of ten we ended up keeping them. If we couldn’t keep them in town, they ended up on the family farm. We all know how much dad loved his dogs though. Those dogs ate like kings and queens. They may have all been slightly overweight, but those dogs were so well loved. He loved taking them for rides to the farm or rides up town. I can still hear him saying “HOUNDS!” or “C’mon hounds, let's go to the farm”. I don’t think anyone who knew dad is going to forget how much he loved his dogs.

Dad also greatly enjoyed planes and fast cars! He always told stories about him being in planes to go fishing. Taking off was his favourite part. He loved his cars though. I’m not too sure how many cars dad had over the years, but one that we all know, love and will never forget, is the Trans Am! Smokey and the Bandit edition Trans Am! The smile on his face when he got into that car is unforgettable. He had an unforgettable smile though. His face lit up so big though, whenever he got behind the wheel. He loved to drive that car. A fond memory Matt (or Dudser as dad would refer to him) has of him and dad is when they used to go cruising in the T.A. and they’d watch the speedometer go up! I remember him always doing burnouts in that car, blasting his 8 track tapes, Little Willy is a song that always came blaring out of there, and that smile. The smile and the laugh and seeing how happy he was in that car will never be forgotten.

Speaking of music, I think anyone who knew dad, knew how much he loved to dance. He even used to watch a show called “Club Dance”. So many memories of him turning up the tunes and countless memories of seeing him dance, whether it was at home, a social or a wedding. Dad could always be found on the dance floor wearing his favourite dancing shoes and his famous yellow hat. He had that same big smile while he was dancing. Dad just genuinely enjoyed life. He lived it. He had fun. He’d be smiling and laughing on the dance floor just as much as when he was driving the Trans Am.

Most days dad could be seen (or heard) around the town, never too busy to stop and chat your ear off, or let you chat his ear off, although I think he did the majority of the chatting. I don’t think anyone is going to forget his famous hugs and kisses, his great big smile or his unforgettable laugh. If you couldn’t hear him talking across a store, you could certainly hear his laugh. Someone had described his laugh as a “boisterous” laugh, meaning noisy, energetic, cheerful & rowdy, and that is 100% accurate in every way. He had the most unforgettable laugh, and we miss hearing it.

When dad wasn’t busy being out and about, he could be found at home doing odd jobs around the house or lounging in his favourite chair. He greatly enjoyed it when people would stop by for a visit. Food and drink were always available to those coming for a visit. In dad’s eyes, no one ever ate enough, and I can still hear him saying “eat, eat!” to absolutely everyone who stopped in. Dad loved to sit at his table, have a few drinks and visit with friends and family. Anytime someone would begin getting ready to go, dad would always say “one more, you’ve got time for one more”.

Dad, thank you for being the incredible, kind, loving soul that you were. You will be remembered by so many people in many different ways. Writing this doesn’t even sum you up in the ways you deserve to be remembered. There are just so many memories and so many things you did, even before we came along. You always had a way with your words, and I am struggling to find mine. Your nicknames for all of us and every pet that you owned will never be forgotten, nor will your unforgettable Ukrainian sayings. I wish I took the time to learn Ukrainian, but the memories of hearing you speak and sing in fluent Ukrainian will never be forgotten by any of us.

Dad worked hard his entire life, but despite working endlessly, he always found time to sing, dance, laugh, joke and genuinely have a good time. Dad has left a trail of countless memories that will never be forgotten. His love of fishing, hunting, fast cars, dancing, his dogs, his big hugs and kisses, his humour, his incredible smile, his loud voice, and most of all that unforgettable laugh. He truly left a mark. He was a legend & a man to be fondly remembered.

We know dad is up there right now, alongside his siblings and friends who passed before him by his side. They are all cheersing up in heaven.

Dad, your passing has not been an easy one for us to wrap our heads around. We hope you are up there stomping the floor in your favourite dancing shoes, singing at the top of your lungs & enjoying being reunited with family and friends. We would give anything if we could all have just “one more” with you down here. We miss you; we love you. Until we meet again, rest easy dad. Diborja

Service will be announced and held at a later date.

If family and friends so desire, donations may be made to the Grandview Fire Department in Jake's memory.

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