Walter Johnny Prokopowich

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Walter (Johnny) Prokopowich announce his passing at the Roblin District Health Centre on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at the age of 83 years.
Walter leaves to mourn his wife, Edna (Puritch); children, Dwayne (Lisa), Kelowna, BC; Dale (Annie), Toronto, ON; Dean (Grant), Chicago, Illinois; Dawn (Sean), Winnipeg, MB; his very special grandson, Jackson, Toronto ON; brother, Boris (Jean) Prokopowich, Roblin, MB; sister, Olga Diduck, London ON; sister-in-law, Wanda Prokopowich, Dauphin MB; sister-in-law, Elma Chick, Roblin, MB and brother-in-law, Melvin (Bernice) Puritch, Yorkton, SK and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Walter was born in the district of Zelena to Nick and Katie (Nykolaishyn) Prokopowich on January 18, 1937. Walter attended Hillcrest school and worked on the family farm until he got married. Walter and Edna met in school and were later united in marriage on July 22, 1960 at the St. Michael's Catholic Church in Roblin.
Walter and Edna moved into town and Walter worked at the JA Hilland's MacLeod store for 12 years repairing small motors. It was then that Walter started his own business, Parkland Repair Shop fixing and selling outboard motors, snow machines, garden tillers and boats. He was known as "Johnny Ya Ya" as he would always take the challenge to fix any motor no matter how old or how much repair it needed. Walter wanted to instill in his children the value of hard work so all of the kids took turns working in the shop sweeping floors, taking stock and helping him fix motors. On the acreage, everyone had to take turns cutting grass and help plant the garden. After he sold the business, he worked at the Intermountain School Division as a caretaker until his retirement.
It was from living on the farm that Walter had a love for the land and nature. Walter loved going fishing with family and friends. He knew the fishing spots and was sure to come home with his limit of pickerel. Walter enjoyed going on camping trips and going to the lakes for picnics with his children and family. But more than anything, he especially loved summer vacations with his grandson Jackson. As soon as Jackson arrived in Roblin, he would sit on the arm of Gido's chair and they would spend hours talking and playing "war".
When Walter was not fishing, he would be scouring deep in the bush in search of mushrooms. He loved living on the acreage and spent his time in the garden, cutting grass, going for wood and still fixing motors with spare parts that he found behind the garage.
Walter was predeceased by his parents and by his brother, Russell Prokopowich; brothers-in-law, Matt Diduck, Norman Chick, Gordon Puritch and his father and mother-in-law, Nick and Elsie Puritch.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life and burial were held on July 7, 2020 when all his family and friends could attend.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Roblin District Health Centre - Palliative Care Box 940, Roblin, MB, R0L 1P0 or a charity of one's choice.

Gone Fishing
If some should ask for me,
tell 'em heaven is where I'll be.
I've finished all my life's chores,
and now I fish on heavens shores.
 
The view is grand and the fishing's great,
but I yearn for you as I wait.
I'll save a spot on the river's bend,
for all those I call family and friends.
 
But for now head to the lake 
and make a cast in memory, 
to all the good times that you had,
with me - your friend, your Gido...your dad.

And if the fish no longer bite
or seem no longer worth the fight,
'cause it's me that you are missing';
don't worry - be happy - I've gone fishin'; 
 (Poem by David Ritter).
 

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