With great sadness we announce the passing of Michael Prokopchuk peacefully on January 8, 2015 with his loving wife Jessie by his side. Mike was born and raised on the family homestead near Rhein, SK. He started his career with CN Rail as a fireman, working his way up to locomotive engineer. Mike worked in various locations such as Kamsack & Melville, SK where his first daughter Cindy was born. Mike moved to Winnipeg in 1960 where he met and married his loving wife, Jessie in 1964. Together they raised 2 children, Wanda and Andrew and enjoyed 51 years of happy marriage. Mike loved family vacations, including camping, fishing and travelling coast to coast. Sunshine was Mike's best friend and he and Jessie enjoyed many warm winter holidays. He looked forward to hunting trips with family and friends, especially in the Duck Mountains. After retiring from his 40 year career with CN Rail, Mike thoroughly enjoyed his new found time spending summers at the cottage and winters in Texas. Mike was a man of many talents. There wasn't anything he couldn't fix or build, for himself and many others. This included designing and building the family home and cottage, endless fine woodworking projects and anything mechanical. He was well known for his legendary wine making and smoked gold eye fish. Spending time with family and friends was very important to Mike and he enjoyed every moment with them. Whether it was playing cards, lawn darts or shuffleboard. Mike was always a competitive player, with a great sense of humour while playing. Mike was well loved as a mentor and father figure to the many extended periods in the family home. Mike loved life and making people smile, always a friendly tease and a joke to make you laugh. Even after his life altering stroke, Mike was a good natured and pleasant to be around, always happy to see friends and family and always quick to entertain and joke around with the staff at Riverview. Prayers were at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 390 Marion Street. Funeral service was at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church. Interment was at St. Vital Cemetery.
