PAUL HRABLIUK

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PAUL HRABLIUK May 15, 1925 - February 18, 2017 It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Paul Hrabliuk on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at Donwood Manor, Winnipeg. Paul was born and raised on the family farm, the homestead, near Venlaw, Manitoba, the seventh of eleven children. Dad will always be missed by daughter Caroline (Andy) and son James (Susan) and grandchildren Kelly, Joel, and Jason. Paul is survived by brother Matthew (Frances); sisters Hilda, Verna, and Vicky; as well as numerous nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his parents Efrem and Maria; brothers Sam and Ted; and sisters Anne, Nell, Helen and Kay. Paul received his schooling at Ruskin School - a one-room country school. He later attended the Manitoba Institute of Trade and Technology (MIT) and took courses in carpentry, electrical, framing and plumbing - everything needed to build houses. In later years, Paul returned to school and obtained his GED. Dad started his working years in pulp camps in the Duck Mountains. At the age of 24, he was cutting logs for Cache Lake Lumber Co. - two or three miles from Kozar Lake in the "Ducks". He and his buddy, Bill Babiuk, used a two-man cross cut saw to cut down a black spruce, a yield of 1415 board feet. Dad also worked at logging at White River, Ontario -"the coldest place in Canada". Springtime would always bring him back to the farm to work the land. Paul looked after his parents on the farm, and when the time came for them to retire; he built a house for them in Ethlebert. Beginning in the late 1950s and into the 1960s, Paul worked in lumber yards as a truck driver, salesman, and manager. It began with Monarch Lumber in Winnipeg, then to Battleford, SK. Then he moved to Gilbert Plains and Co-Op Lumber. Next was Dauphin and Preeceville, SK, with Revelstoke. In 1971, Dad and Mom moved their family to Winnipeg. In Winnipeg, he was employed by Redekopp Lumber as a salesman for many years, and enjoyed it. Eventually Polet Lumber replaced Redekopp Lumber, where he worked until retirement. Paul built five houses, one in each town where he had worked, doing much of the finishing work himself. Dad loved nature. He foraged for mushrooms, nuts and high-bush cranberries. A river ran through their farm, providing the proverbial swimming hole. He was once witness to the mating dance of a grouse. In the woods, he always carried a hatchet for building a fire or for protection. As a young man, Paul loved baseball and played many pick-up games. Later he attended many Goldeye games with Caroline and Andy. He was also a hockey fan of the Dauphin Kings and Winnipeg Jets. The Wanderlust was always there for Paul; he reveled in Canada - always Canada in the Geography and History of the country. He hiked Baldy Mountain trail many times, chopped wood at Singush Lake, and would drive to Moon Lake at 5:00 a.m. to observe wildlife. He travelled by train to explore Churchill and the Limestone Hydro Dam, made a camping trip to the Maritimes with family, did multiple trips to the West Coast. Dad was involved with his children's lives. He built backyard skating rinks, went snowshoeing and tobogganing, camping, movies at The Kings, volunteered for school activities and Scouts, and made endless summer road trips. After retirement, Paul volunteered at: building houses for Habitat (he met Jimmy Carter); working for the Pan Am and Indigenous Games; and doing income taxes. He also was known for walking miles daily, exploring Winnipeg, or taking Transit. He probably knew every bus route in Winnipeg. Dad lived at Donwood Manor for over six years. During all of these years, he shared stories with the staff and volunteers about growing up on the farm at the base of the Duck Mountains. He remained interested in and would share his Canadian history, news, and human interest stories. Dad was known for his Word Search Puzzles, as well as writing about: staff and volunteers, news, and sports in his notepads. The family wishes to express sincere gratitude and thanks to the staff and volunteers at Donwood. There are not enough words to express our appreciation for the physical, recreational, and spiritual care, as well as the friendship and love you gave to our Dad. In keeping with Dad's wishes, cremation has taken place. Interment will take place at Brookside Cemetery in the spring. www.voyagefuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 04, 2017