We Remember
SHEPEL, Nicolas
—
Peacefully, on May 20, 2021, his 90th birthday, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Nick Shepel, passed away at Kelowna Hospice. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife (Maria); daughters Mary, Christina, and Susan (George); and grandchildren Kaitlin and Nicholas; his brother Steve; and family and friends around the world.
Nick was predeceased by his son (Nicholas), his parents, one sister and two brothers. Nick was born in the Ukraine on May 20, 1931. At a young age, he survived the Holodomor (famine) from 1931-1933 imposed by the Stalin regime. In 1939, at the outbreak of the Second World War, Nick was taken with his family from Ukraine and forced to work in German labour camps. In 1945, at the War’s end, he and his family were sent to a labour-turned refugee camp. In 1949, with a renewed hope for a better life in Canada, Nick’s family accepted the Canadian government’s two-year contract to work on a sugar beet farm in Portage La Prairie. In 1951, Nick moved to Charleswood, Winnipeg and was employed by CN Railway as a railway worker. Within several years Nick was able to purchase land in Portage La Prairie. With a tremendous amount of physical labour, the land was cleared and a homestead was created. Nick married Evelyn, and together they raised four children who learned the value of hard work and perseverance. Nick truly enjoyed farming and the fruits of his labour.
In 1996, Nick retired, sold his farm and moved to Kelowna. He continued with his love for gardening in his large backyard and enjoyed having fruit and walnut trees to care for. Nick eventually got remarried to Maria, and together, they spent many years working in their garden and enjoying their fresh produce.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you for the compassionate care at Kelowna Hospice in the last days of Nick’s life.
A small service and viewing have taken place in Kelowna, officiated by Reverend Pavlo. As per Nick’s wishes, Nick has been laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery in Portage La Prairie. A graveside service has already taken place, officiated by Reverend Ehrmantraut.
VICHNAYA PAMYAT
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Okanagan Staffing employs Mary Shepel in a temporary capacity, and we see the strong work ethic and integrity that her father has instilled in her. We’d like to send our sincere condolences to Mary and the rest of her family through this difficult time.
Deepest sympathy on the loss of your Dad. He lived through some very difficult times and knew the value of a strong work ethic. May you feel God’s presence during this sad time.
I am very sorry for your loss and wish your family strength during this difficult time.
Tracy Gray, Member of Parliament, Kelowna – Lake Country
Your father whom I remember as a strapping figure of a mans man will be remembered RIP Nicolas