WILLIAM (BILL) RATUSKI

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WILLIAM (BILL) RATUSKI Bill Ratuski passed away peacefully on August 20, 2011, at Riverview Health Centre at the age of 74, after a brief illness. William Ratuski was born on January 5, 1937 in Kenora, Ontario, to Peter and Anne (nee Grega). Bill was the fourth son, after Gregory, Benjamin and Michael. Two sisters, Patricia and Diane, followed. Bill attended elementary and high school in Kenora. He then moved to Winnipeg to attend the University of Manitoba. It was at that time that he joined Obnova, a Ukrainian Catholic Youth Club, where he met the love of his life, Anne Herman, a teacher. They married in 1958, when Bill was just 21 years old, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church and moved into a home on Lansdowne Ave. For the next four years, Bill furthered his chartered accountancy studies while Anne continued to work as a teacher. They shared a love of Ukrainian dancing, and earned some much needed extra money teaching dancing, where each student payed 25 cents a lesson. They were blessed with three children, Andrea, Corinne and Peter. In 1968, the family moved into a new home where Bill and Anne continued to live for 42 years. Bill established his own practice as an accountant. Later his entrepreneurial spirit led to opportunities as a trusted counsel and advisor where he garnered respect from all those he worked with. He also devoted much time and energy to the Shoal Lake Wild Rice Company with his brother Ben. He was a caring, intelligent, and fair man, a forward thinker, whose goal was always to aid others. He had an impact on everything he touched. He was passionate about his work and the people he worked with. Indeed, he continued to work until the day he became ill. The son of a Ukrainian immigrant, Bill was very proud of his heritage. He was a member of the Ukrainian Professional and Business Club for many years. He also gave generously of his time to several organizations, including Oseredok, Holy Family Home and the St. Boniface UNF Foundation. He worked energetically on their behalf, in his quiet but very efficient way. A large part of his life was spent at Paradise Island on Lake of the Woods, at the cottage he built for his loved ones. Bill was completely devoted to his family and enjoyed having them around. He always put the interests of his children, his wife and all of his siblings before his own. He encouraged his children, and was unfailingly proud of their achievements. He especially loved his role as grandfather. Dido had his special games that all the little ones adored. He was also an avid music lover and frequently attended concerts presented by the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Groundswell. Bill shared with Anne a deep passion for world travel. When Bill turned 60, he invited the family to join him for a birthday cruise to the Caribbean and South America. That began the annual ritual of family vacations together, most often to Europe; these offered extraordinary opportunities to experience the world. Every year, Bill and Anne explored a new exotic destination: a safari in Africa; Australia where they went white water rafting; Asia, Egypt, Bali; and every country in Europe. They had just completed an around the world journey through the Middle East, before they set off on a family reunion tour to Ukraine to visit their ancestral villages. It was upon his return that he became ill. Bill lived a very full and rich life, never passing up the chance to try a new adventure. He was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Ann, and by his brother Gregory and sister-in-law Beth. He will be remembered forever by his wife Anne, with whom he shared 52 beautiful years; his daughters Andrea (Jim), Corinne (Brad), son Peter and grandchildren Nicholas, Alex, Anna and Michael. Also, his brother Mike (Kathy) of Calgary; brother Ben (Marion) of Kenora; sisters Pat and Diane of Winnipeg, as well as many nieces and nephews. The family would like to acknowledge the gracious support of Dr. Terry Babick, the staff at Concordia Hospital and the angels of the Palliative and Home Care Programs. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to his favourite charities: Oseredok, Holy Family Home or the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. The funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 23, at Holy Family Church, 1001 Grant Ave. with Father Darren Kawiuk officiating. The interment will follow the service. VICHNAYA PAMYAT KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 22, 2011