MONITA, Michael Zenon

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It is with deep sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Michael Zenon Monita on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 75 years of age.  He leaves to mourn, his wife Rosalyne (nee Koshowski) of 52 years; children: Daralynn Wei (Mike Wei) and their children, Alexandra and Olivia; Darwin (Rochelle Van de Velde) and their children, Jenna, Noah and Sarah; Michael (Paulette Todosichuk) and their children, Isaac, Daniel and Rebecca; his sister Vicki (Monita) Middlemiss; brothers-in-law Emil Dudar, Ron Koshowski (Myrna) and Ed Koshowski (Judy) as well as many nieces and nephews.

Mike was predeceased by his parents Harry (1954), Anna Kereluk (1967) (Monita) (nee Dolinski), father-in-law Anton Koshowski (1988), mother-in-law Mary (nee Twerdun) Koshowski (1994); sisters Jean Olsen (2003) and Stella Dudar (2014); brothers-in-law Leonard Olsen (2010) and Barry Middlemiss (2011).

Dances were a weekly Saturday night event in Dauphin and both Mike and Rosalyne loved to dance. They first met at the 11^th Avenue Hall and remained partners for life. Mike and Rosalyne were married on June 29, 1963 in Dauphin, Manitoba.

Mike was born in Ethelbert, Manitoba on April 8, 1940. He attended Belle Creek School East in Ethelbert, Manitoba. After his father’s passing Mike’s family moved to the Village of Ethelbert, where he attended Ethelbert Elementary and High School. He attended Little’s Business College in Dauphin, Manitoba where he took a business course. Mike’s first offer of employment was a summer job with Parks Canada in Wasagaming, Manitoba (Riding Mountain National Park). After that experience, he began his sales career with Western Grocers in Dauphin, Manitoba and moved on to become sales representative for Quaker Oats Company, and then Rowntree MacIntosh Company, which later became Nestlé Canada, Ltd. He served the central and northern Manitoba areas and had many stories from his travels to those locations. Mike enjoyed much success as a chocolate sales representative, winning numerous awards and bonuses for his efforts.

In 1981 Mike accepted a transfer with Nestlé Canada, Ltd. to Regina, Saskatchewan to serve the southern area of that province. In 1992 Michael and Rosalyne moved to Winfield, BC, where Mike continued to serve as sales associate for Nestlé Canada, Ltd. in the Okanagan Valley. Mike always dreamed of moving to the Okanagan Valley. While living in Lake Country (Winfield), he enjoyed looking after the fruit trees on their property, gardening and was introduced to ice fishing by his former Manitoba friends. In 1996 Mike accepted early retirement from Nestlé Canada, Ltd. He then worked as a part time sales associate for Act Media and subsequently for Lindt and Sprungli. He retired in 2004 in Lake Country (Winfield), BC. In May 2005 Mike and Rosalyne moved to Kelowna, BC.

During his lifetime, Mike was a member of the Dauphin Commercial Travellers, enjoyed 10 pin bowling, curling, golf and fishing. He was an active member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Dauphin, Regina and Kelowna and served on executives with other Ukrainian organizations such as the Young Men’s Club (TYC) in Dauphin and the Dauphin Ukrainian Festival. Mike loved to go to church and served as a “Паламар” to the priest in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He never liked to be late for the services.

Soon after his retirement in 2004 Mike was diagnosed with dementia, which then quickly progressed to Alzheimer’s disease. Mike moved to Sun Pointe Village in Kelowna, BC in 2007. Mike’s infectious smile and love of dancing made an everlasting impression on the caregiving staff at Sun Pointe Village, who enjoying dancing with him during Friday Happy Hour. A special thank you is extended to the many professional caregivers at Sun Pointe Village over the years. Most recently, a special thank you to April, Lee, Joanne and Julie, for the special care and support they provided for both Mike and Rosalyne.

Springfield Funeral Home and Sneath Strilchuk Funeral Services have care of arrangements.

Father Roman Trynoha will conduct a Prayer service at Springfield Funeral Chapel, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna on Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. A Funeral Rite service will take place at St. George’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Main Street, Dauphin, Manitoba with burial in Riverside Cemetery, on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Brent Kuzyk officiating.

Those wishing to honour Mike, may make their contribution to the Alzheimer’s Society of BC, 1664 Richter Street, Suite 307, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 8N3; or a charity of their choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com, 250-860-7077.

God saw you getting tired,

When a cure was not to be

So he closed his arms around you

And whispered “Come to Me.”

And when we saw you sleeping

So peaceful, free from pain,

We could not wish you back

To suffer that again.

Вічна йому пам’ять!

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Service Details

The prayer service for MONITA, Michael Zenon is scheduled for Thursday, July 30th at 1:00pm at located at 2020 Springfield Rd, Kelowna, BC, .

The service for MONITA, Michael Zenon is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at 10:00 am. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

St. George’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church

804 Main St S, Dauphin, MB

Phone:

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Special Requests:

None.

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