Orest Taras Dackow, 85, of Castle Pines, Colorado passed away Wednesday, January 19, 2022, after a valiant battle with cancer. His final wish was to be cremated and join his beloved wife Florence in a final sailing voyage at their favorite location, Victoria Beach on Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada.
Orest grew up in Wynard, Saskatchewan and graduated from high school at 17. He then attended the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg and graduated with honors from the Actuarial program. Orest then began work for the Great West Life Company in Winnipeg as an actuary. He was then accepted and graduated from the Harvard University Business Management Program, eventually becoming President and CEO of Great West in the late 1970’s.
Seizing an amazing opportunity, he relocated the head office of Great West Life to Denver, Colorado in 1980 and led them to new heights throughout his tenure. After retirement, he continued as a board member of Great West, and created and funded the Orest T. Dackow Scholarship Program at the University of Manitoba.
Orest married Florence (Flossy) Waples in 1958 in Winnipeg. They were happily married for 56 years until Florence’s passing in 2013.
Orest and Florence loved spending time at their cottage at Victoria Beach and enjoyed many summers of adventure there with family and friends. Orest was an avid sailor, and he frequently raced his Laser and Catamaran at the beach, collecting a large cache of trophies that attested to his sailing prowess. He missed the last two summer sailing seasons due to Covid restrictions and his courageous fight with cancer.
He was also an ardent hocky fan and played the sport for many years. He chose to attend university rather than pursue a professional hockey career. As such, he and Florence had many wonderful years with their three children, Trevor Wade Dackow who resides in Winnipeg; Heather Lynn Dackow who resides in Colorado; and his youngest Daughter Donna who resides in Florida.
Regardless of where he lived, his team of choice was the Colorado Avalanche. This sparked friendly rivalries between Orest and his children cheering for different home teams. His family will miss his trademark phrase “Well Gang” which usually meant he had an adventure in mind, or there was work to do!
Orest will be remembered for his extraordinary intelligence, his quick wit, practical joking and love of music, although his vocal tone left much to be desired. He loved world adventure travel, especially treks that took him closer to nature. He was a dedicated, hardworking man who also made time for his family and friends.
Orest was preceded in death by his parents, Luk and Irene, and his cherished wife Florence. Orest is survived by his three children: Trevor Dackow of Morris, Manitoba and his wife Belinda; his daughter Heather Dackow of Parker, Colorado; and this daughter Donna of Tampa, Florida and her husband Jeffrey Rensch. In his later years, Orest enjoyed walking and spending time with his “grand-dogs” Dewey, Fluffy and his favorite Hank, who he often shared his “luchable” treats with!
He is survived by his sister Cecila Wetsch of Estevan, Saskatchewan and her daughter Lori Veroba (granddaughter Casey Veroba); her son David Wetsch and his wife Aimee. He is also survived by his brother James Dackow of Regina, Saskatchewan and his children Darin and Dana. He will be remembered by a large network of friends, fellow travelers and intrepid sailors.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Orest T. Dackow Scholarship at the University of Manitoba.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice in his name.
Condolences may be shared on the Orest T. Dackow online guest book at Find Obituaries (dignitymemorial.com)
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
- Dylan Thomas
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OlingerAndrews.com for the Dackow family.
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