Victor Carl Karasiuk

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Victor Karasiuk, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and husband, on January 25, 2021 at age 91 while in COVID care at Concordia Place nursing home in Winnipeg.

Dad was a devoted husband of 63 years to his beloved wife, Olga, and a consummate gentleman in every sense of the word, loved and respected by family, friends, business associates and caregivers. Mom and Dad raised five children and personified what a lifelong partnership should look like with Dad sharing Mom’s final years walking daily, rain or shine, to and from her care home to be by her side until her passing on November 10, 2017. He navigated those final seven years of Mom’s life journey unselfishly, with class, love and compassion befitting their marital vows.

Vic is survived by his daughter Lori Jane Caple (Karasiuk) of Littleton, Colorado and sons, Brian and Dale of Winnipeg , Ken of Oak Park, California and Brent of Columbia, Missouri; daughters in-law Nadene Kouk-Karasiuk, Kathy Karasiuk, Rachel Karasiuk, Katarina Balalas and son-in-law, Mike Caple; grandchildren Krystal, Kelsey, Sarah, Luke, Allie, Karly, Drake and Nicole; great-grandchildren, Jasper, Annika, Maple, Theo, and Adriana; and brother Al Karasiuk and sister-in-law Doreen of Wasaga Beach, Ontario. He was predeceased by Olga, grandchildren Nicholas Karasiuk and Kandice Karasiuk; his parents Karl and Lena Karasiuk; sister Rose Eyerley (Karasiuk), brother-in-law Lloyd Eyerley, brother Joe Karasiuk and sister-in-law Millie Karasiuk.

Dad was the second of four children (3 boys and 1 girl) born on the farm near Tway, Saskatchewan on May 15, 1929. Growing up he studied at Crystal View, a one-room schoolhouse that ran through the eighth grade, with dreams of a career as a country and western singer. Prairie life was tough though and practicality eventuality won out with Dad choosing to help out on the family farm for several years with brothers Joe and Al and sister Rose, followed by a cold and difficult stint as a miner in Flin Flon, Manitoba. Always on the lookout for his family, Dad used some of his mining earnings to buy his younger brother Al his first pair of ice skates rather than spending that money on himself.

Eventually, Dad decided that farming and mining were not for him and in 1949 he moved to the big city of Prince Albert where he began his distinguished retail career at his Uncle Frank’s grocery store, Modern Market. Always determined and hard-working, Vic set his sights on a management position and was recruited to work for SAAN Stores by his dear friend, Wally Zarry, starting what would become an extraordinary 41 year run with SAAN.

One of Vic’s early career moves took him to Yorkton, Saskatchewan where he met Olga at the boarding house where they both lived. Following their marriage on February 2, 1954, they lived in Saskatoon for 17 years where Vic managed two SAAN stores simultaneously and all five of their children were born. In 1971, Vic was promoted to the head office in Winnipeg, starting his rise through the executive ranks as a national buyer, head of merchandising, culminating with his promotion to Executive Vice-President of a 250+ store operation.

Respected by colleagues and competitors alike, Vic was always a sharp dresser and known as a tough, but fair businessman, and more importantly, as an incredibly humble and honest man. He was especially adept at his ability to listen, and even when he may not have understood or agreed, always finding a way to accept another’s point of view while maintaining the patience to let things play out as they should.

Dad always stressed the importance of family and loved his family get-togethers, even during his final months, often telling his caregivers that he was busy with “company” while enjoying a FaceTime call and a good chuckle with his kids and grandchildren. He was fiercely proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, while working tirelessly to provide for them. He took exceptional joy in both their everyday lives and career accomplishments. Despite his demanding job and heavy travel schedule, Dad still managed to coach several sports teams and he was an ever-present, enthusiastic fan at his boys’ hockey, baseball and football games as well as his daughter’s baton and dance recitals. Known for his golf course quality lawns at the family home on Gleneagles Road, he was also an accomplished woodworker with his trademark Adirondack chairs still being enjoyed by his family at their homes and cottages.

Retirement was filled with warm weather trips to Palm Springs for the winter months and family vacations to western Canada, Ontario, California, Colorado and Missouri. Dad thoroughly enjoyed those trips and the opportunities they gave him to spend quality time with his wife, kids, grandchildren and relatives. Especially gratifying was the chance it gave his children to see such a hard-working man who sacrificed so much, finally able to relax free from the pressures of life and truly enjoy his family. Vic was also a voracious learner, never shy to take on a new challenge. Spare time was at a premium during his working years, but Dad made up for it during his retirement taking swim lessons for the first time, joining a strength training class, mastering his computer and iPad, attending programs to learn about assisting with Mom’s care and becoming an avid golfer.

Above all else, Dad will be known for his incredible and unwavering commitment to his wife and family. He taught us all about hard-work, integrity, honesty, loyalty, kindness, commitment to family and humility. Those lessons are deeply engrained and, while he will be dearly missed by all, Dad’s love for his family and selfless spirit will live on for generations to come through the life lessons he taught us so well.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. David Martin and the extraordinary nurses, personal care providers and staff at Concordia Place Nursing Home, Concordia Community Clinic, and Comforts of Home-Care who lovingly cared for Vic and Olga during their final years.

A memorial service and Celebration of Life cannot be planned at this time due to COVID restrictions, but one will be held in the coming months at Green Acres Funeral Home, Hwy #1 East at Navin Road, Winnipeg, MB. Details regarding that service will be forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, Vic would appreciate if donations could be made in Olga’s memory to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 10-120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4G2.