A. John Poponick

Andrew John Poponick

On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, Andrew John Poponick loving husband, father, papa and uncle, passed away suddenly but peacefully in his home at the age of 86.

John was born on December 8, 1938 in Selkirk, MB to Anne and John Poponick. On August 1, 1964 he married the love of his life, Sandra Bruzell and a few years later built a house in Selkirk, across the street from his childhood home, where they raised their two sons and daughter. Throughout his life John had a diverse career which included being a nurse at the Selkirk Mental Hospital, (where he and Sandy met), and in the Aviation industry for over 30 years as a Bush Pilot and then retiring as an Air Canada Mechanic in 2003.

John loved the outdoors from an early age and was always ready to go fishing, hunting and camping where he and Sandy spent every summer camping everywhere they could with the Butter Brickle Gang.

John loved skiing and went on many trips on “Jake’s Bus” all over Canada and the US.  As he got older, he felt that Skiing was too dangerous, so he took up snowboarding and taught himself on his own on the front yard snowbank and then later down at the Selkirk Golf Course.  There, he would give advice to many kids trying to learn the art of Snowboarding which he continued to do well into his 60s, when he and Sandy would winter in Osoyoos, BC. 

Affectionately also known as Papa, Dad or Johnny Pops, by those close to him, he spent over 20 years in retirement where he loved to spend the winters watching the Winnipeg Jets and Selkirk Jr. B Fishermen from behind the bench, where his son and grandkids are the coaches and team trainer.

The summers were spent tending to his garden and protecting it from the “critters”. He could be found soaking up the sun in his sunroom, taking an afternoon nap, or savouring a “sip” of his favourite Salted Caramel Whiskey.  

If he wasn’t at the house, he was at his seasonal lot at Cherry Hill Living, with his many friends watching the Bombers games outside or with his feet in the water and a cold drink in hand.

Known for his surprising quick wit and sense of humor, he loved sharing wild stories from his flying days, and many conversations led to him at some point saying, “Whoa, whoa, whoa.  Back up the Turnip truck.  You got me out in left field picking dandelions”. Ever the helper, John was always eager to lend a hand, and a “Johnny fix” was something to be admired.

John was predeceased by his loving wife Sandy, his parents Anne and John, and his sisters Juelle and Jean. He is survived by his children, Chris (Lisa), Michael (Adele, and Tanner), and Kara (Chad) Lemay, as well as his four cherished grandchildren, McKyla and Josh Poponick, and Adria and Kenzie Lemay. He will also be dearly missed by his sister Irene (George) Pike, brothers-in-law Barry Tweed and Chuck (Dale) Bruzell, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

At John’s request, a private celebration of life will be held later in 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, Fund life-saving research | Heart and Stroke Foundation

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