BERT BESYK

Bert Besyk, 75, passed away Monday, Dec. 6, 2010 at the Dryden Regional Health Centre in Dryden, Ont. after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
He was born July 9, 1935 in Winnipeg Beach, Man. to the late Nicholas and Jennie (Kowerko) Besyk.
Bert was predeceased by his parents; wife, Faye, of 53-and-a-half years; and son-in-law, Marty Vanderaa.
He also was predeceased by his brothers, Tom and Arnold, and sister, Helen Besyk; brothers-in-law, Mike Kulbaba, Mike Halischuk, and Wally Scribny of Manitoba, and Lloyd Schell of Dryden, Ont.; and sister-in-law, Marie Favot of Sioux Lookout, Ont.
Bert grew up on the family farm in Winnipeg Beach with his nine siblings. It was there he attended school and his interest in repairing cars began.
Bert worked for Dominion Bridge in Winnipeg, in which that work brought him to Dryden to weld on the overhead railway bridge in the subway.
He later worked as a mechanic for the Central Garage in Dryden.
He then worked for the Dryden Paper Company as a mechanic, and it was there he met Faye, who worked in the Finishing Room.
Bert and Faye were married Dec. 7, 1956. He continued to work at the Dryden Paper Company while they started their business of Bert’s Auto Wrecking, later to leave and operate his business full-time.
His business has continued for more than 50 years and is now in its third generation in the family.
Bert remained working in the business until Faye’s passing in June, 2010, when his own health began deteriorating.
Bert enjoyed stock car racing and travelling to casinos with family and friends. His enjoyment in life revolved close to home, going on wrecker calls, collecting scrap metal, welding and building tow trucks, and socializing with people.
Bert is survived by three children, Linda (Fred) Sombrutski, Brian (Mary) Besyk, and Vicki (Dan) Dorie; and five grandchildren, Melissa Vanderaa, Rocky (Deanna) Besyk, Holly Besyk, Matt Dueck, and Jen Dueck.
Also surviving are one brother, Ryan (Bernice) Besyk; twin sister, Bernice Gooley; sisters, Frances Kulbaba, Joyce Scribny, Joan (Art) Gooley, and Jackie (Wayne) Dola, all of Manitoba; brother-in-law, Clayton (Pauline) Schell of Dryden, Ont.; sister-in-law, Sandra Schell of Thunder Bay, Ont.; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the First United Church, 23 Van Horne Ave., Dryden, Ont., with Pastor Doug Brown officiating.
In lieu of flowers, if so desired, in memoriam donations may be made to the Tamarack House or the Second Chance Pet Network, Dryden, through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Ave., Dryden, Ont., P8N 2X3.