ROY GORKOFF

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ROY GORKOFF October 6, 1932 February 19, 2015 Roy Alex Gorkoff, 82, of Winnipeg, died February 19 with family by his side. Roy was born in Kamsack, SK, October 6, 1932 to Mary and Alex Gorkoff. Roy was predeceased by his loving wife Ethel, sister Laurie and brother Jack. He will be greatly missed by his siblings Alex (Rita), Judy (Don) and Paul, children Rick Hutchinson (Freda), Patricia Eng, Roy Gorkoff, Tammy Varnes and Kelly Gorkoff (Greg), grandchildren Tracey and Rick, Ken and David (Ken), Rhonda and Matthew (Rick), and Gabrielle and Mara (Paul), and great-grandchildren Kathryn and Reese. He will be particularly missed by his canine companion Buddy. Born and raised in a farming community outside Kamsack, Roy left in 1952 to join CN Rail. Working as a fireman then as an engineer, Roy relocated to The Pas, where he met his soul mate, Ethel. They and their two children moved to Kindersley, where they welcomed another son. They finally settled in Winnipeg in 1957, where they completed their family with two more children. Roy was an active member of Winnipeg's curling community. He was president, past-president, junior chairman and proud member of the Big Six at Fort Garry Curling Club and chaired the holding company, where he worked tirelessly to manage the club's relocation. As a player, he participated in both the Seniors and the Masters provincials and in 1990 was made an honorary life member of the Manitoba Curling Association. Roy was a feisty and principled man always ready for spirited conversation. He always fought for the underdog and was a community advocate and long-standing, active member of the NDP. He was a strong advocate of animal rights and the environment. After an initial successful and well-stocked trip to Blue Lake, ON, nature was in his blood and he spent summers camping with his family, travelling from one end of the country to the other. Roy loved sports. He was a proud 40-year Blue Bomber season ticket holder and regularly attended Goldeyes, Moose and Jets games. His later years were busy golfing at Pine Ridge and watching his grandkids at the hockey rink, soccer pitch, curling club and dance studio. He was a proud grandfather and never missed an opportunity to make it known. He will be gravely missed at family dinners particularly by the dogs left with no lap to lay their heads and get treats. A service will be held at Churchill Park United Church, 525 Beresford Ave., Winnipeg, on Thursday, March 5, at 10:00 a.m. The family thanks Dr. Johnson of Manitoba CancerCare for his wonderful attention over the years, as well as the staff at HSC 5th Floor. In lieu of flowers, make donations to Roy's causes: CancerCare and Winnipeg Humane Society. THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 204-925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 28, 2015