Gordon Topnik
Obituary
Peacefully, with his family by his side, Gordon Harry Kenneth Topnik passed away on July 1, 2017 at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach.
Gordon was predeceased by his parents John and Lydia Topnik, brothers Art (Etta) and Jake (Elsie), sisters Tillie (Jake), Rose (Henry), Olga (Phil & Harold) and Lillie (Ted). Also parents-in-law Rudolph and Martha Singbeil, brothers-in-law Oscar (Mary), Ozzie, Alvin and sisters-in-law Gertie (Fred)and Bernice.
Dad will be deeply missed by his wife Ruth, daughters Cheryl (Blaine) Pasichnyk, Debra (Phil) Waldner, Carla Wright and Sharlene Roemer as well as all the Grandchildren and Great grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers-in-law Jerry and Irvin and sisters-in-law Dorothy and Helen.
Dad was born on August 17, 1940 in Steinbach, Manitoba to John and Lydia (Oswald) Topnik.
In 1962, Dad and Mom were married. Right from the start of their life together Dad had an entrepreneurial spirit. They were on their honeymoon and dad had spotted a grocery store for sale and said that someday he wanted to own one! That dream led to a number of business ventures in the Steinbach area. These included the A&W Restaurant, Economy Variety Store, owning the 1st Arctic Cat dealership and selling new motorcycles, various restaurants which included the Ham Dog House in Mitchell, and Mr Taste-Tee Restaurant in Tyndall, Dollarstores, Chip Truck, travelling with the Carnival, selling new and used Snowmobile Parts and of course Trapping! These were all with the best partner he could wish for – his wife Ruth.
Dad enjoyed stamp and coin collecting, watching the birds eating from the feeders, playing Yahtzee and the occasional game of Crokinole.
Later on, in his so-called retirement years, Dad was busy with yard work and gardening, catching moles and started a new passion – bowling. Bowling started as a thing to do in winter to pass the time, but it turned out to be a very competitive sport for him. Mom and Dad travelled all over Canada for tournaments and brought home many medals.
Dad had a few medical struggles. In 2003, Dad had successful surgery removing melanoma and in 2013, he was diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukemia which he had battled and been in remission. On June 17, 2017, he was diagnosed with cancer in 3 areas – the lungs, brain and liver. Within 2 weeks Dad had lost the battle, with his family by his side.
We would like to thank the Cancer Care Unit, all the staff at Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Dr. Duerksen and Dr. Karen Toews for all the care they had given Dad.
The funeral service for Gordon will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB, with a viewing prior to the service. The interment will follow at the St. John’s Cemetery, R. M. of Hanover, Manitoba.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gordon may be made to Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation or to a charity of one choice.
