Nestor Prokopowich

It is with great sadness that the family of Nestor Ted Prokopowich announces his passing on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the age of 80, at the Dauphin Regional Health Center after a courageous battle with cancer.

Nestor was born on October 23, 1944, in Ukraina, Manitoba, to Nickolas and Annie Prokopowich (Ciotka). He was raised alongside his brothers Eugene and Elmer. He attended Haig School and Ethelbert High School. He was not enthusiastic about going to school, farming was his passion then. Initially he worked at Hadoway grocery store and later for Manco Dairy as a door-to-door milkman. On June 3, 1967, Nestor married his soulmate and love, Gloria Rizok, at the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ethelbert, MB.  He farmed with his father in the Haig district and later moved to Valley River. He operated a dairy farm, shorty after changing to a beef operation. He worked briefly in Flin Flon in the mine and with Manitoba hydro building the transmission lines. With his brother Elmer combining their knowledge in farming and farm equipment they operated a Cockshutt & White dealership and later purchased the John Deere dealership in Dauphin. They also built the Westmore Carwash and operated it for a brief period.  Venturing on his own he started Napa AutoPro and then switched to Piston Ring in Dauphin. He supported his wife in her dream of owning a clothing store, Gloria Gayles. For a brief period, he worked for Martin Motors as a salesman. After retiring from his business ventures, he wanted to buy a motor home from a gentleman who he had serviced in his Napa repair shop. He changed his mind quickly when Gloria said, “You buy it and you can drive it up and down Main Street, I am not going anywhere”.

He enjoyed fishing, camping and played hockey in his early years then enjoyed watching hockey. He enjoyed flying with his best buddy, Dave, going for coffee to MacDonald’s and reminiscing with his buddies about the past “BS hour” He also enjoyed going to auction sales and attending the spring and fall clothing trade shows in Edmonton and Saskatoon.  When garden season came around the garden had to be marked out, and rows had to be perfectly straight. He took pride in his back yard and enjoyed watching his hostas and lilies grow. He also enjoyed spending time with Lyle and Tammy’s fur babies Snoopy, Blu and Belle.

Early in his life he enjoyed traveling to Chicago, Dallas, Tampa, Key West, Germany, Barbados, Palm Springs, Acapulco, Black Hills, Las Vegas, Vancouver Island and Disney World.  He was a member of the Dauphin Co-op and was a director for 40 plus years. Nestor was known for being able to redesign manufacturing flaws and make it last forever from farm equipment to small items around the house.  He was quick witted and had an answer for everything. You could not get anything past him.

He is survived by his wife Gloria of 58 years from Dauphin MB and his sons, Lyle (Tammy) from Leduc, AB and Jason (Kathy) from Headingly, MB. He is also survived by his grand children Shawn (Terri) from Edmonton, AB, Shane from Leduc, AB and Zachary and Abigail from Headingly, MB.

He is survived by his brothers Eugene (Elsie) and Elmer of Dauphin, MB as well as nephews and nieces  Ricky Prokopowich, Cindy Michaleski, Larry Prokopowich, Brent Prokopowich, Justin Rizok, Kerry McLellan, Tyler Rizok, Colin Rizok, Ashlyn Rudkavich. ; along with  brother in-laws and sister in-laws  Nestor (Gloria) from Garland, John (Marge) from Innisfail, AB and Val Rizok from Dauphin.

He was predeceased by his parents Nickolas and Annie Prokopowich and nephew Wayne Prokopowich, sister in-law Phylis Prokopowich, brother in-law Ernie Rizok and survived by many cousins, relatives, and friends.

A Funeral Service was held for Nestor on Friday, June 27, 2025 at 10:00 am from the Sneath-Strilchuk Family Care Centre in Dauphin with Rev Father Ivan Hnativ officiating.  

Interment followed in the Riverside Cemetery - Dauphin, MB.

Should friends so desire, donations in memory of Nestor may be made to Canadian Mental Health Association or to Cancer Care MB.

The service will be live streamed for those that are unable to attend.

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