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MIKE PRODAN
Born: Jul 21, 1951
Date of Passing: Jun 02, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryMIKE PRODAN
Mike Prodan, of Carberry, MB, passed away on June 2, 2025 at Carberry Plains Health Centre at the age of 73 years.
Mike was born on July 20, 1951 in Simcoe, ON, to parents Bill and Helen Prodan, and big sisters Carol and Patricia. Growing up, Mike moved around southern Ontario with his family, living in Aultsville, Cornwall, Prescott, Burlington, Paris, and Brantford. Although the family were not rich in money nor material things, they were wealthy beyond measure when it came to love and a priority placed on time spent with family, something that Mike took with him throughout his life.
In 1972, Mike moved from Ontario to Burnaby, BC, where his love story with Sylvia (one that would go on to span 52 earthly years) first began. Together, Mike and Sylvia spent the next 18 years in B.C., moving from Burnaby to New Westminster, Coquitlam, Prince Rupert, and finally Williams Lake. They were married in January 1983, and welcomed their first daughter, Brandi, that summer, with daughter Hannah arriving in 1987.
In 1990, Mike and the family moved to Brandon, MB, which would end up being his longest time living in one place; even though the itch to move would pop up from time to time, it was important to him that his daughters were able to finish school in their childhood home.
In 2010, Mike and Sylvia finally moved again, this time to Sidney, MB, where they stayed until moving to Carberry in 2021. While in Sidney, they welcomed grandson Alex and granddaughter Helen into the family. Just as Sylvia and his daughters had always been the light of his life, grandchildren meant the world to him, and he cherished the time he got to spend making memories in his new role as ‘Papa’.
Mike’s ‘gypsy style’ of never staying in one place too long also reflected in the numerous jobs and careers he had over the years: dishwasher, farmhand, factory worker, Coke truck delivery driver, gardener, Auction House worker, letter carrier, flight service specialist, teacher, correctional officer, and finally back to teacher prior to his final, official retirement. Mike loved learning — from his love of history, learning about differing religions and cultures, learning how to build things, and learning new careers, Dad was a lifelong student of life.
Mike was predeceased by parents Bill and Helen Prodan, sisters Barbara and Carol (Sears). He is survived by his loving soulmate of 52 years, Sylvia Kukurudz, daughters Brandi and Hannah, and grandchildren Alex and Helen. Also left to mourn are his sister, Patricia (Cherewka), Brother-in-law Gord Sears, Nikhil Kulkarni & Samar (‘Canadian Grandfather’), brother-in-laws Wally (Glenys) Kukurudz, Orest (Reggie) Kukurudz, Sister-in-law Pat Busby along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends.
A Ukrainian Orthodox Prayers & Funeral Mass was held at Neepawa United-Anglican Church with The Very Rev. Archpriest Taras Udod officiating along with Cantor Ryan Rauliuk. Crossbearers were Helen Prodan, Joanne Sieg. Pallbearers were Alex Prodan, Trevor Cherewka, Mike Cherewka, Grant Kukurudz, Adele Quiring, Sheri Blaylock. Honourary Pallbearers were Gord Sears, Pat Cherewka, Heather Kyshewsky. Eulogies given by Hannah Prodan & Sheri Blaylock. Honour Guard from Manitoba Corrections Honour Guard, Kris Bowman attended in recognition of Mike’s service with Corrections Services. Interment was held at Neepawa Riverside Cemetery. Ellen Simpson singing Mike’s song Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte for Sylvia. Sidney Community provided the luncheon following at Mike & Sylvia’s home in Carberry.
As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 21, 2025