William (Bill) Konwalchuk

William Edward (Bill) Konwalchuk

April 17, 1947 – March 1, 2018

Bill passed away peacefully at his home in Winnipeg on March 1, 2018 at the age of 70 after a short battle with throat cancer.

Bill was born in Sault St. Marie, Ont. and lived his early years in Algoma Mills where his Mom and Dad owned the local store. He was eight years old when his father Nick passed and his Mom moved back to Manitoba to have the support of her family.

Bill grew up in the Brooklands area and enjoyed all things outdoorsy, such as fishing, hunting, hiking, he just liked being in nature.

Bill was also a very social being which contributed to his success in the restaurant/hotel industries. He was most proud of bringing the first Perkins to MB and created the distinctly Canadian logo by placing the maple leaf over the “I” in Perkins. Bill’s early working years were spent at Esso Refinery and Varta Batteries. He then went on to join his Mom in the hotel business and co-owned the Merchant’s hotel in Selkirk as well as the Anola Village Inn in Anola, MB. He then went out on his own opening two of Winnipeg’s Perkins restaurants where his Mom continued to support him by making the daily soups and delicious perogies which were offered on MB menus. Once Bill decided to retire from big business he went on to own and operate B+J Groceries in St. Adolphe, MB which closed in 2003. After this Bill entered the work force once again working for S.I.R and enjoyed serving many customers helping them meet their outdoor fishing, hunting or camping needs. Bill then retired from this job and went on to enjoy many years of being a “kept man”

In retirement he continued to enjoy volunteering at Winnipeg Pet Rescue as a”dog walker,” walking his TIA and the occasional hunting or fishing trip.

Bill was predeceased by his mother – Verna in July 2017 and his father Nick as a child. In spite of this he had many good memories of being taken out of school by his dad to go fishing and enjoy nature in Algoma Mills as well as the fact that his father gave him his first 22 rifle. He was also predeceased by his in-laws Lawrence and Pat Canvin in 2004. He is survived by his wife Jennifer (nee Canvin) of almost 30 years, his son Jeff and sister Gloria Guertin (Bryan, Stacey, Stephen) of Mississauga, Ontario, brothers and  sisters in-law Beth, Lorne, Kathy (Bruce), Vicky (Tom), Duncan, Danny (Janet), Andrew (Barb) and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Bill Loved his animals Jep, Ben, Mickey, Frisky and Peppy being counted amongst the many. He knew every dog’s name in the apartment building where he and Jennifer lived.

He was very easy to converse with and had quick wit that often made people laugh. He could be friends with anyone by enjoying a drink and conversation.

Bill and Jennifer would like to extend a grateful thank-you to all CCMB staff, especially Dr’s Leylek, Kerr and Maksymniuk as well as their teams of nurses, H.C.A and the staff of 4GA at HSC and the home palliative care team of nurses and overnight aides which allowed Bill to have a further 4 months at home.

Bill has been cremated and his celebration of life will be held at St. Clement’s church on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 1 p.m. Luncheon to follow in the parish hall afterwards.

Always remember “The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.”

In lieu of flowers please donate in his memory to The Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter on 3062 Portage Ave, Wpg, MB.

        Condolences, pictures and videos may be left on Bill’s tribute wall at www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

Gilbart Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

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