This is Walter William Perepeluk, but you probably knew him as "Walt" if you're a friend, or Dad, Grandpa, or The Chief, if you're a part of the family. After an eventful 84 years, Dad passed away peacefully at sunrise on Friday, April 13, surrounded by family.
Born in Sifton, MB, on April 17, he was one of five children of Bill and Effie Perepeluk. He grew up in Rorkton where his father opened a store, Central Meat & Grocery, then later moved to Flin Flon. When his dad decided to expand the business to the new mining community of Lynn Lake in Central Manitoba, Walt, along with his wife Amy, moved there to manage it for the next 36 years. Walt was very community orientated and was a long and valued member of several committees, Chamber of Commerce, Hospital Board, Fire Ambulance Depts, NorMan, Lion's Club, Eastern Star and Masonic Lodge, all of which he took an active roll. For years, every Tuesday night, he could be found in the "Breeze Office" printing the local paper. He was elected the first Mayor of Lynn Lake and spent many hours trying to provide a better community for it's residents, including the highway into Lynn, and television. He annually presented Penmanship Awards at school, so the kids he hired would be able to write so he could read it. Many kids also tuned their driving skills delivering groceries in that red delivery truck. Walt was happiest when he could help someone out, whether it be holding a crying youngster in the store, comforting them with a sticky candy, organizing the Red Cross Blitz, driving someone wherever they needed to go, cooking, bringing in a big "Roland Pumpkin" grown by Amy's Uncle for the Lynn Lake kids to see, meeting the train close to midnight so customers along the line could come and shop and then delivering their groceries to the train early the next morning, part of the committee for the 95 LL Reunion, helping his kids and grandkids with whatever we needed or just brightening your day with his latest joke. At some point in his life, Walt was a teacher, grocer, smoker, bowler, tax-payer, curler, cook, pilot, jack-of-all-trades, fisherman, Liberal, window-washer, photographer, leader, son, brother, husband, dad, uncle, and grandpa, but mostly a golfer, a crib player, and a friend to all. We will remember Dad sitting at the kitchen table watching the weather channel, counting the train cars, and playing crib. Walt was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Amy in 2001, and his brothers and sisters. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his sons, Douglas, a.k.a. Joe, (Sharon), Ron, (Elaine), a daughter, Wynne (Butch), grandchildren, Patrick, Chris, Tobi, Robyn, David, Daniel, Colin, Ronald and greatgrands, Bryce, Ava, Logan and Hayden.

A celebration of his life will take place Tuesday, April 17 at 11:00 a.m. at the Churchill Park United Church, 525 Beresford, Winnipeg.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to the Canadian Cancer Society in Walt's memory. Neil Bardal Funeral Centre (204) 949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca
Publish Date: Apr 16, 2012