William Maurice Kushniryk

William (Bill) Maurice Kushniryk

1936 - 2025

William (Bill) Kushniryk was born on December 29, 1936, at home in the Village of Benito, Manitoba, the only child to John and Annie Kushniryk. He passed away peacefully on September 20, 2025, with his wife, Isobel, and daughter, Barb, by his side.

Left to mourn is Isobel, his loving wife of 68 years, son John Kushniryk, daughter Barb (Terry) Filuk, son Jim Kushniryk, grandchildren Tamara (Keith) Friesen, Holly (Brad) Kushniryk, and great-grandchildren Morgan (Beth) Kushniryk, Kirsten Kushniryk, Noah (Haley) Friesen, Jessica Kushniryk, Olivia Friesen, and Dylan Kushniryk. As well as many extended family and friends.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, John and Annie, stepfather, John Dutchession, and daughter, Carol Emek.

Bill grew up in Benito and attended school until grade 11 when his father passed away. At that time, he took over the family Texaco business with his mother.

Bill met Isobel at the skating rink in Swan River. They dated for 2 years and were married on June 8, 1957. Their son, John was born in 1958, Barb in 1959, Carol in 1960, and Jim in 1962.

Throughout their married life they lived in Benito, then Winnipeg, when Bill worked for a short time at CP and sold Fuller Brush door-to-door. They moved back to Swan River where he worked for Jay Livingston driving a fuel delivery truck. He started with Canada Post in 1967 and in a short time became a Postmaster in 1975 which took them to several different communities in Manitoba over the years. Bill retired in 1992 and then they moved back to the Swan River Valley where they lived out their retirement years.

Bill and Isobel were involved in every community they lived in, making many lifelong friends along the way. He was involved in the Lion’s Club in many of the communities they lived in.

Bill enjoyed golfing. He was jealous of Isobel’s hole-in-one and made her display her trophy in the basement. He also enjoyed fishing and camping. Photography was a passion that he shared with others by teaching classes with 4H. He loved reading as well as writing letters to the editor. He enjoyed a good game of cards, a good drink, and telling jokes.

Family and friends were most important to Bill. His granddaughters spent a week every summer at their house and joined along on camping and fishing trips, Holly giving him a new eyebrow piercing with her hook and Tamara getting the lines wrapped up in the boat motor. His great-grandchildren filled his life with joy. He loved watching them grow and spending time with them.

Bill and Isobel enjoyed travelling, going on a cruise, visiting Arizona, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, BC, Yukon and Alaska.

Bill moved to the Lodge in April 2025. Isobel visited him daily. They enjoyed playing Upwords, where Bill continued to best Isobel until his passing.

We will miss your larger-than-life laugh, your favourite saying, “for crying out loud”, your sense of humour, but most of all your never-ending love.

If friends so desire, memorial donations in memory of Bill may be made to Madge Lake Bible Camp Box 183 Swan River, MB R0L 1Z0 or Benito Splash Park-Benches etransfer to benitosplashpark@gmail.com or call or text 204-281-2898 for more options.