OLGA FUGA

Condolences & Memories (11 entries)

• Dear Fuga family, extending my heartfelt sympathy on the passing of your dear mother Olga. Thank you for sharing this wonderful tribute of her accomplishments. It's evident that she had foresight and a vision of how to best serve the health and wellness of Manitobans. She was quite a force in the community and leaves a lasting legacy. Sorry for your loss. Lynda Ruban (reader- grew up on Magnus Ave) - Posted by: Lynda Ruban (reader-grew up on Magnus Ave) on: Jul 29, 2024

• My condolences for your loss Lesley. - Posted by: Greg Stevens (Friend of the family) on: Jul 28, 2024

• We were very fortunate to share many wonderful years and much laughter with Ollie and the Fuga Family during our summers at Winnipeg beach. Ollie was always a welcoming friend who had time to sit and discuss or share ideas. She was a very accomplished woman who had help to shape and touched many lives in Winnipeg. Our condolences from the Matwichyna Family - Posted by: Matwichyna Family (Friend ) on: Jul 20, 2024

• Olga Fuga was a very special person in my life. My heart is full of sadness at the news of her passing, and at the same time, full of pride for her long list of achievements. Olga was a force of nature who helped shaped Winnipeg. She was also a force who helped shaped me. Olga knew me all of my life Truly. She and her husband, Tony Fuga, had known me and all of my siblings, Margaret, Chris, Joey and Kathy since we were born. Our parents, Carl and Mary Krawchenko were close friends with the parents of Dale and Lesley Fuga We grew up in a house with lots of parties, and lots of people dropping by. Tony was the first “Showman” I had ever seen in person. Smart and funny, he could whistle through his teeth, and was one of the best storytellers in the circle of my parents’ friends and associates. And could he sing. I have vivid memories of Tony belting out his own version of Englebert Humperdinck’s “Please Release Me.” Another favorite was boisterous rendition of “Delilah” as he danced Olga around the room Then there was Olga, a woman of substance and unusual energy, who always greeted us with a smile and a hug. Wicked smart, well-informed, and always full of the joy of living, she made a very large impression on me from the very beginning. Olga was devoted to her family and dedicated to serving her community. She had already entered politics by the time I was born, actively fighting for better education policies as a school board member. She was the first woman to sit as the chair of the Winnipeg School Board, and later went on to serve on Winnipeg City Council where she chaired the Executive Policy Committee. In between those posts, Olga ran for a seat in the provincial legislature in 1966. We were living on Gallagher Avenue in Weston at that time. It was a Saturday in spring. I was at the kitchen table doing homework when my dad came in and grabbed his jacket off the hook at the kitchen door. “I’m going for a ride, Sand. You comin' with?” he asked and I scrambled to not get left behind. I was ten years old. We drove over to the Olga’s campaign office for the North End seat she was hoping to win. She was running in Inkster against Sid Green. I stuffed envelopes. Then they fell short of people who could answer the phone because one of the volunteers couldn’t make it and they gave me a shot at the phones. I grew up in a house where we were “raised to be good employees” as my brother Chris says, and where business came first on many days. We children were required to answer the phone in a professional manner, “Hello, Sandi speaking,” and to write down clear messages from the caller. Olga needed answers on the concerns of her future constituents. In my most grown up voice, I made the calls. I asked the questions on my list. It was an eye-opening experience. More than once, I would hear a woman say to me, "Just a minute! Let me ask my husband what I think." My mother, Mary Krawchenko, who founded Mrs. K's Food Products, and Olga Fuga, who led fundraising and advocacy campaigns for such causes as building the Seven Oaks General Hospital, were the two strongest influences in showing me 'how to be' as a woman. By their example and tenacity, I grew up knowing there was no reason a woman should not have a voice, or an opportunity, and further, they were very clear on the fact that anyone from the North End was just as good as anyone from the South End. I have been blessed with this rich environment to learn to appreciate the intersect between growing a business and providing jobs, and understanding the value and power of those who take on on political responsibilities to better their community. I learned early on that we are all responsible for each other, and for the health of our communities. My life has been enriched by these many experiences where, even as a child, I was able to listen to adults express their opinions, debate policies, and fight for their opportunities and their causes. Olga was a very large influence on my young life and became a friend I treasured all the way through. Like my very vocal parents, Olga led by example. My path was informed by these impressive experiences where I learned that it was always best to read widely and to listen to divergent points of view, think for yourself, and speak up when you had something important on your mind. By the way, Sid Green went on to win that seat in Inkster in 1966 and ultimately to serve as a minister in the legislature. He also became a lifelong friend of my father. Olga Fuga was greatly loved and will be deeply missed. I am forever grateful that she touched my life in the profound way that she did. My Sincere Condolences to Lesley and to Dale and the entire family.   - Posted by: Sandi Krawchenko Altner (friend) on: Jul 20, 2024

• To the family of the late OLGA FUGA, I WAS VERY SADDENED TO READ OF YOUR DEAR mother and grandmother OLGA'S PASSING. I INITIALLY MET HER THROUGH MY BEING A REALTOR IN WPG AND SOLD BOTH HERS AND Olga's mother's HOME AND then sold OLGA HER HOME IN GARDEN CITY NEAR MY OWN. I moved from my birth city to Vancouver in 2010, BUT WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER OLGA WITH GREAT FONDNESS. SHE WAS AN EXCEPTIONAL PERSON WHO I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER AND ADMIRED GREATLY FOR HER MANY ACHIEVEMENTS AND A WONDERFUL PERSON! May her memory be for a blessing! Sadly, Esther Weinstein. - Posted by: Esther Weinstein (Friend) on: Jul 20, 2024

• My Sincere Condolences to the family for the loss of your Mom. - Posted by: Darlene Wall (childhood friend of Lesley) on: Jul 19, 2024

• In searching for this obituary, I came across several write-ups about Olga Fuga, including a profile created by the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, describing her many accomplishments. As a kid, my family lived on the same block of Burrows Avenue in Winnipeg's North End as the Fuga family and, to me, she was "Lesley's mom." I had not a clue . . . and am in awe of what she achieved. My condolences to the family - Posted by: Debbie Wall (Friend of Lesley) on: Jul 17, 2024

• Please accept my condolences on the loss of your mother. Olga was a very dear friend who was most kind to me with her advice and support when I began my years at the University of Manitoba. As a newcomer to Winnipeg, she willingly shared her numerous community contacts. Indeed, as her many friends knew, her commitment to the community was an example of her generosity and the care she shared for the city she loved. Rest in peace Olga. You surely fought the good fight! Sincerely, Neil - Posted by: Dr. Neil McDonald (Friend) on: Jul 14, 2024

• I am so very sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was a wonderful lady - always so kind and understanding. God bless you and your family. Vernelle - Posted by: Vernelle Mirosh (Friend) on: Jul 13, 2024

• I remember your mom as a dynamic, interesting woman. Deepest sympathy on behalf of the Dabrus Family. - Posted by: Trish Perry( Dabrus) (Your mom was a cousin to my Dad John Dabrus) on: Jul 13, 2024

• Having worked at Seven Oaks Hospital and Kildonan Medical Centre for a number of years, I had the opportunity to get to know Olga. Olga was a fine lady. My sincere condolences are sent to her family. May she rest now. Sincerely, Elizabeth Briere. - Posted by: Elizabeth Briere (SOGH / KMC Caregiver) on: Jul 13, 2024