Paul Naherniak

Obituary

Paul Naherniak, age 88, of Trentham, MB., passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at Grunthal Menno Home for the Aged, Grunthal, MB.

Paul was born on November 16, 1936, to Peter and Mary Naherniak, in Trentham, Manitoba.

Paul Naherniak and Mary Pawliuk met in Gardenton, Manitoba. Mary was walking home with a friend from a baseball game, when Paul, together with a couple other guys, drove by and asked them if they wanted a ride. That ride was declined, but later in the day the introduction between Paul and Mary was made by Mary’s neighbour. In the evening, Paul and Mary went to Mary’s sister’s housewarming party, and it was then that Mary told Paul which street in Winnipeg she lived on. A couple of days later, Paul went door-to-door down that Winnipeg street asking for Mary until he found her. They continued to date from then on, and were married in Winnipeg on June 1, 1963, with a reception in Gardenton Hall.

Their son Michael Daniel was born on September 27, 1988. (Michael married Rochelle Braun on July 7, 2017, and their son Eli Daniel was born on April 24, 2025.)

As a young adult, Paul worked in Winnipeg, where he drove delivery and cement trucks, and later worked for Greensteel, fabricating oil tanks. After that – for 22 years – he worked as a welder, manufacturing farm equipment at Co-op Implements. Throughout his life he would share stories about the work he did as a welder, and the characters he met there.

Paul and Mary owned a farm in Trentham. For years they split their time by farming on the weekends and working in Winnipeg and living in an apartment there during the week. When they began raising sheep, Paul started commuting to Winnipeg from the farm, while Mary stayed on the farm full-time.

Paul and Mary were known for leading a pioneer lifestyle, which they continued to do up until 2 years ago. They drew water with rope and bucket for all their water needs, from the well Paul had dug by hand. As a couple, they also cut and split the wood for all their heating and cooking needs, cooking their meals with a wood fire.

In recent years, Paul was living with dementia; he resided in the Menno Home in Grunthal for his last 18 months. The family wishes to thank neighbours, friends, and the Menno Home staff for all the support they have provided over these recent years.

Paul was predeceased by his father in 1994 and his mother in 2003, by his brother Henry in November 2023, his brother-in-law, Wayne Dawydiuk, in 1989, and his brother-in-law, Mike Bugera, in 2011.

Left to mourn Paul’s passing are Mary, his wife of 62 years, his son Michael (Rochelle), and his grandson Eli. Also, left to mourn are Paul’s siblings, Ann (Nester), Steve (Marilyn), Father Oris (Rose), Marian (Lorne), Adel, and Doris (Cecil), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The livestreamed funeral service will be held on Friday, June 6, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB., with viewing 30 minutes prior to the service.