It is with deep sadness that the family announces the sudden passing of Victor Ernest Pshebniski, on May 15, 2020 in Dauphin, Manitoba, at the age of 78 years.
Victor was born in Ethelbert, Manitoba on June 30, 1941. He was predeceased by his wife, Joyce (2011); father, William (2008); mother, Mary (2011); Father-in-law, Michael Stasiuk (1996); Mother-in-law, Katie (2007); brothers-in-law, Orest Stasiuk (2013), and Alan Balcaen (2019).
He will be missed by his son, Brian (Claudette) Pshebniski, and daughter, Beverly (Sung-Sik) Kwon; grandsons, Michael and James Pshebniski, and Carter and Kai Kwon; sister, Elsie (Wasyl) Bokyo; sisters-in-law, Victoria (Lorne) Woychyshyn, Sophie (Andrew) Babicz, Sylvia Balcaen, Joan Stasiuk; and brother-in-law, Bishop Peter Stasiuk; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family and friends.
In early years, Dad was employed with Manitoba Highways on road construction and later moved to Dauphin to work at The Western Bakery. It was amidst flying flour and cinnamon that he met and fell in love with, Joyce Stasiuk, his life partner and best friend of 42 years. They married on July 13, 1968.
Dad drove throughout the Parkland region for 15 years with Modern (dry) Cleaners. He shared countless stories of having a “close one” on icy highways, but with skillful maneuvering, he avoided the ditch. When he did hit the ditch, it was more likely to be on a warm summer day when he missed his afternoon Coke and dozed off. He lived to tell. He taught both of his kids how to drive and parallel park “Bessy Burb” (the family’s ’77 Suburban). He would say, “If you can drive that ‘bus’, you can drive anything.” He was right, as he was about most things.
Dad was most passionate about farming and loved being outdoors, working with his dad on the family farm in Ethelbert. They farmed together for over 40 years, until retirement in 1994. During the day, he was in Ethelbert and then back in Dauphin for his job in night security and later, in evening custodial, with the Dauphin Ochre School Division.
Dad and mom had a passion for antiques, and Dad particularly had an affinity for antique furniture. Together they traveled across rural Manitoba, attending auctions and flea markets. They both enjoyed visiting with other collectors and discussing antiques.
In his later years and into retirement, gardening was his hobby. He and Mom grew a massive garden year-after-year. One of his many horticultural achievements was unintentionally growing multiple 15-foot sunflowers and then having to harvest them with a chain and truck.
In 2003, Dad was diagnosed with Parkinson disease, which progressively debilitated him. With reduced mobility, he required nursing care and moved into the Dauphin Personal Care Home, where he lived for the last eight years.
Dad had many wonderful attributes. He was wise and a good judge of character. He was not patient, but he was calculated and consistent. He was direct, a critic and a perfectionist; he wanted the best and to make things better. He practiced and taught respect. He was gentle and affectionate. He had a silly streak and enjoyed his fair share of fun and mischief. He had a strong work ethic and always put forth his best effort, working hard at everything he did. He would often say, “remember, you are always replaceable”. To this, we would say he was wrong. No one could ever replace our Dad; no one will ever consult with the wisdom he had and love the way he did. We will always remember our Dad and all that we learned from the life he lived.
Memorial donations can be made to Parkinson Canada or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba.
Thank you to the staff at the Dauphin Personal Care Home for the wonderful care Dad received while living there. Also thank you to Dr. Matheson, the emergency staff at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre, and the nursing staff at the home, who cared for Dad in his final hours.
A graveside service took place on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 1:00 pm at the Dauphin Riverside Cemetery.
Covid - 19 Pandemic restrictions have been expanded to allow 50 people at an outdoor gathering.
The service will be live streamed via Sneath-Strilchuk Facebook Page. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.
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