Bertram POPEL

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POPEL: Bertram Popel, March 25, 1917 - October 17, 2011. With great sadness the family announces the passing of our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Bert, on October 17, 2011 at the River East Personal Care Home, in Winnipeg with daughter Peggy at his side. Bert was born in Winnipeg to Theophile and Helen (nee Mikitowicz) Popel. He was the youngest of four sons. Dad loved sports and played many of them in his early years. His interest in sports continued as an “armchair athlete” as he grew older, watching games on TV whenever he could. He kept track of the stats, the players and knew a great deal about hockey, baseball and football. He and Mom even traveled to Minneapolis several times to take in ball games. Dad served as an aircraft mechanic during WWII which may have been where he developed an aptitude for doing his own repairs. Living through the Depression also helped him learn how to make things last. After the war, Dad met and married Olive Cormylo and together they raised three children, Terry, Pat and Peggy. They were fortunate to celebrate over 50 years of marriage. Dad had a long career with the Canadian Pacific Railway, retiring at the age of 65 as a Signal Supervisor. He was a conscientious worker and a dedicated employee. When he was on call, there were many times when problems in the signal department took him away from his young family. To Dad, it was just part of the job. Dad and Mom enjoyed traveling, especially to visit relatives in Vancouver, Edmonton, Kenora and New York. In their later years, they took a couple of winter vacations to Hawaii and enjoyed a few longer stays in Victoria in order to escape the harsh Winnipeg winters. Dad was first and foremost a family man. He was always available to help his children; he took interest in the pursuits of his grandchildren and he was also a very good caregiver to Mom as her health deteriorated. He could sew, mend, cook, do household repairs, plant flowers and help his kids with their homework, long before it was common for men to take on so many domestic roles. He was a great example to all of us. Dad also had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tell stories about his upbringing. He always enjoyed a good joke. Dad and Mom were devout Catholics, attending St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church in West Kildonan for many years when our family lived in Garden City. Dad was predeceased by Mom in January 1999 and by all three of his brothers and their spouses: Joseph (Fran), Walter (Anne) and Ed (Helen). When Dad was no longer able to live independently, he moved to River East Personal Care Home until his demise. Bert’s family is grateful for the compassionate care provided by the staff on Charity Road. Bert leaves to mourn his passing a son, Terry (Carol) of Winnipeg, daughter Pat Hayward (Tony) of Brandon, and daughter Peggy Murenko (Igor) of West St. Paul, grandchildren Natalie (Greg Champagne) of Ottawa, Tobin Hayward (Kaley) of Calgary, Deidre Hayward of Virden, and Chris and Andrew Murenko of West St. Paul; great-grandchildren Connor and Brendan Champagne and great-granddaughter, Emari Hayward. Bert is also survived by a sister-in-law, Pat Bohoslawec of Kenora, and many nieces and nephews. A private funeral service for Dad was held at Glen Eden Funeral Home, Winnipeg, on Friday, October 21, 2011, where Dad was interred alongside Mom. Peace be with you, Dad.We’ll continue to love and cherish your memory.

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 22, 2011