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LEONARD LAZARUK Obituary pic LEONARD LAZARUK Obituary pic

LEONARD LAZARUK

Born: Jul 24, 1943

Date of Passing: Jul 29, 2022

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LEONARD (LEN) LAZARUK
July 24, 1943 – July 29, 2022


The heart of their family has departed. Husband, father, father–in–law, grandfather (Gido), brother and friend, Len, passed away in the evening of Friday, July 29, 2022 at the Health Sciences Centre.
His memory will be cherished by his wife Vicki; his son Michael; daughter Shannon and her husband Mark and son Scott and those who always brought a gleaming light in his eye, his granddaughter, Mackenzie (Jordan) and his grandson Cole. He is also survived by siblings, Steven (Martha) Lazaruk and Stephanie Zapski; brothers-in-law, Eugene Hnatuk and Terry Hnatuk (Kim); and sisters-in-law, Pat Hnatuk, Mary Anne Henkel and Phyllis Hnatuk. Also remembering their uncle and great-uncle are numerous nieces and nephews.
Len was predeceased by parents, Mike and Jean (Fiel); in-laws, Peter and Margaret (Shewchuk) Hnatuk; brothers-in-law, Ron Zapski and Don Hnatuk.
Len and Vicki were introduced by his cousin Susan Duncan (Yanyk) at the curling rink in Sandy Lake in early 1965 and they were married in Oakburn on July 30, 1966.
They were blessed with their first child Michael Sean, born May 10, 1969 in Winnipeg. A promotion to branch manager with Niagara Finance had the family on the move across the prairies and on March 14, 1971, daughter Shannon Leigh was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Another move brought the family to Red Deer, Alberta, where Scott Christopher was born on January 16, 1973. With the family complete, a transfer back to the Winnipeg office and the purchase of their first home enabled them to be closer to parents and grandparents.
Over the next several years, the kids grew and life got full of their extracurricular events and activities like Scouts, Brownies, baseball, soccer, hockey and ringette. Many lifelong friendships were formed during this time, including Len and Vicki's "hockey/Valley Gardens family," several couples who they still saw often. It was during this time that Len's interest in health and fitness grew, from daily walks several miles outdoors, through sun, rain and snow, evolving into attending the gym daily. You could find Len at Iron Works and when they closed, Shapes and most recently Planet Fitness, often twice a day doing cardio, lifting weights and basically talking to everyone! After he passed, a friend said "Len was such a great character. I recall admiring him at the gym before I even knew who he was. He remembered everything about you and cared so much about other people. Everyone loved chatting with him, everyone knew him."
Len became a grandpa for the first time two weeks before he turned 50. Many say this mellowed him and it wasn't long before Mackenzie had Gido wrapped around her little finger. Gido would spend hours with Kenzie, taking her to the park, swimming at the pool, or building sand castles with her on the beach at the Oasis.
Len was very proud of his three children and would often be heard telling others of their successes as their careers developed in the public service, Michael and Shannon in their respective departments in the federal government and Scott with the province of Manitoba.
Len was blessed with grandson Cole ten years after Mackenzie arrived. Once again, the doting Gido spent many hours with Cole as a toddler, at the park and in the neighbourhood, playing soccer, street hockey and mantracker.
Settling into retirement, Len continued to attend the gym twice daily. He and Vicki often travelled in and out of province and country to watch Cole play hockey, to visit with family in St. Catharines, Ontario and Biggar, Saskatchewan and old friends in Swift Current and Regina. A memorable trip for Len occurred when he, Michael and Scott were able to catch a couple of Blue Jays games in Toronto on a Father's Day weekend. While chronic illness slowed him down, it did not stop him. In 2016, Len and Vicki celebrated their 50th anniversary, with friends and family attending from near and far. Len passed away one day before his and Vicki's 56th anniversary.
Len so loved for family and friends to get together for holidays, birthdays and family dinners, but those when Michael visited from aboard were especially dear to him and Shannon and Mark were always gracious hosts.
The family is most grateful to the team from CancerCare, Dr. James Johnston, who over the years became Len's friend, nurse practitioner Irena Hiebert and Dr. Kakamanu as well as Dr. Sasha Thiem; Dr. Anthony Kaufman and the staff at St. Boniface, the MRI Centre and HSC.
Len was thoughtful of others, kind and generous. He was loved and will be missed.
In keeping with Len's wishes, cremation has occurred and there will be no formal service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to CancerCare Manitoba.


Condolences for the family may be left at www.alternacremation.ca


Publish Date: Aug 6, 2022

LEONARD (LEN) LAZARUK


It is with sadness that the family announces the passing of Len Lazaruk on July 29, 2022 at the age of 79. Longer obituary to follow.
Condolences for the family may be left at www.alternacremation.ca



Publish Date: Aug 3, 2022

Make a donation to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 03, 2022, Aug 06, 2022

Condolences & Memories (11 entries)

  • My dear Vicki- I’m so sorry to hear of Len's passing. My sincere sympathy to you and your family. Know you and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care of yourself and if ever you feel like chatting give me a call. I’m sure your family will rally around you. God Bless all of you always. Lots of love and hugs. Sincerely JoAnn - Posted by: JoAnn Pringle (Friend) on: Aug 15, 2022

  • Hi Vicki so sorry for your loss of Len , remember sure some fun times in Good old Valley Gardens , and the start up program for our hockey . Blessings to you and all the family . - Posted by: Jerry and Pat Fizell (Valley gardens friends ) on: Aug 07, 2022

  • I met Len back in the Ironworks days and then across the street at Shapes. Len knew everybody and everybody knew Len. You couldn’t meet a more likeable guy. Condolences to his family. Rest easy old friend. - Posted by: Dave Shipman (Friend) on: Aug 07, 2022

  • Vicki, our sincere condolences on the passing of your dear husband Len. May your memories and the support of friends and family comfort you in this time of need. Paul and Maureen - Posted by: Paul Nyhof (Friend ) on: Aug 06, 2022

  • Dear Vicki & Family, we are so sorry to hear of Len's passing. We cherished the times we would meet up at various functions and places here in the City. There was always time for a nice visit and catch up on the family news. No matter how his health was, he was always so positive and upbeat about life in general. We will miss him dearly. Sending Big Hugs and Prayers to comfort you all at this difficult time. XOXOXO!!! Vichnaya Pamyat. Steve, Wayne & Family, Bonnie & Gerry Novak - Posted by: Bonnie Novak & Family (Cousin) on: Aug 06, 2022

  • My deepest condolences Vicki and family. - Posted by: Marion Kirkland (Friend) on: Aug 06, 2022

  • Dear Vicki and families, I am so saddened to learn of Len’s passing and wish to extend to you and all your family my deepest sympathies and sincerest condolences at this very sad time. May the sun forever shine upon his face and the wind always be at his back. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. Norm Guilbert - Posted by: Normand Guilbert (An educator when Vicki was a trustee.) on: Aug 06, 2022

  • Vicki & family……..We are so sorry to hear of Len’s passing……Our condolences to the family……We would see him once in a while at McD on Regent Avenue, and at the casino having his liver and onions……… Len was always upbeat and loved to have a little chat………. - Posted by: Bill & Karen Shanski (Friends) on: Aug 06, 2022

  • Dear Vicki, Scott and family, I am sorry to hear about your loss, Len was an absolute fighter, a strong man, I (as many of us early morning Gym members) will miss the conversations we all had with Len over the years, but will always be remembered, from Hockey to taking about cars and his Mustang convertible, or watching his inspiration and determination on balancing on a Bosu ball, Kevin Walker (Gym rat) - Posted by: Kevin Walker (Fellow Gym friend) on: Aug 06, 2022

  • I’m so sorry Vicki Lenny was a good friend from back home (Oakburn). I’m glad we connected about a year ago via phone Great personality. My deepest condolences to you and family - Posted by: Sonja Topolinsky (School chum ) on: Aug 05, 2022

  • I am so sorry to hear about your loss Vicki. He fought hard and I still think about him when I go to the gym. I always appreciated his help when I was running for city council. - Posted by: Rod giesbrecht (Friend) on: Aug 04, 2022

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