Kurtis Kyle Lawrence Kosack

1980-2026

 

Born in Winnipeg in February 1980, Kurtis was a proud Transcona Boy. He joined the Kosack family of three: his mother Helen (Sum), his father Larry and his dear sister Lisa. Lisa was 7 years older than Kurtis, he adored her and she took her role as big sister very seriously.

 

Tragically, Lisa died at the age of 12 of Acute Myeloid leukaemia. This tragedy would affect Kurtis the rest of his life.

 

Kurtis was predeceased by his beloved mother Helen in 2022, of the same leukaemia that took his sister. Helen was Kurtis’s absolute favourite person and losing her so suddenly devastated him; he struggled greatly since then. Kurtis passed away at the age of 46 on May 1, 2026. 

 

Grieving the loss of Kurtis is his father Larry, many aunts, uncles, cherished cousins, as well as his best friend Tyler, longtime friends Brandy, Sean and his family, and the girl that tried, Janine.

 

Kurtis was a social butterfly and made friends almost everywhere he went. He will be missed by Kathy and “The Boston Pizza Crew”, the friends he made (and fondly reminisced about) while working in Invermere, at Winnipeg Airport, and the new friends he met at Torque Brewing, and Elmhurst Golf Course.

 

Kurtis could be considered a “jack of all trades”. Working in many different industries over the years including construction at Palliser Furniture, building homes in Invermere, BC, Train Services Manager for CN in Melville, Saskatchewan, then running around Winnipeg Airport making sure planes left safely and on time. Eventually he found his passion: creating delicious beer at local craft breweries in Winnipeg.

 

He was an enthusiastic supporter of every Winnipeg sports team. He cheered avidly for the Blue Bombers, the Jets, and attended Goldeyes games with Larry. On any given Sunday, the Green Bay Packers had his undivided attention and, being so excited, he even blew the speakers out of one TV because he cranked the volume in overtime.

 

A private burial next to his mother, Helen, at Ashfield Cemetery will be held in the coming weeks. We encourage everyone to celebrate the life of Kurtis Kosack in their own way. 

 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba or The Manitoba Harm Reduction Network in his name.