It is with great sadness that the family of John Harold Bodnarchuk announces his sudden passing on Oct. 18, 2019 in Winnipeg, Man.
He was born on May 18, 1953 in Fort Frances, Ont. to John and Jessie Bodnarchuk.
In the summer of 1971, John met the love of his life, Cheryl. They were married in 1973 and were happily together for 46 years.
Together, John and Cheryl raised three wonderful children who were his life. John most loved and cherished his three handsome grandsons, Tom, Brady and Jack, and the apple of his eye, his precious and beautiful granddaughter, Emma.
In his early years, John worked as a meat cutter for Food Basket and then Shop Easy in Fort Frances.
John then transferred to the Fort Frances paper mill before finding his true passion, becoming a long haul truck driver.
John started trucking in 1979 until his passing, working for Kingsway, Motorways and finishing out his career with Penner International, logging a total of three million miles accident free in 30 years.
When John was not behind the wheel of one of his many trucks, he enjoyed spending time outdoors with family and friends.
Whether it was old school tenting or weekends at the cabin on the Hook Island or Rocky Inlet. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his boys and many friends.
When the lakes froze over, you could find Papa John cheering on his grandchildren’s hockey careers or last minute, late night excursions usually ending up at a casino with Cheryl, Jackie and Russ.
He was predeceased by his father, John Bodnarchuk; in-laws, Ella and Bud McMahon; brother-in-law, Ralph McMahon; sisters-in-law, Shirley Fowler and Glenda McMahon; nephew, Larry Fowler; and niece, Raeanne Godding.
John is survived by his wife of 46 years, Cheryl; children, Kevin, Michael and Sonja, Jennifer and Rus Burns; grandchildren, Thomas and Jack Burns, and Braden and Emma Bodnarchuk; his mother, Jessie, and brothers, Tony and Jerry; sister, Bernadette; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Carol and Milt Strachan, Terry and Yvonne McMahon, Jim Fowler, Brenda McMahon, Jim McMahon, Dean and Patty McMahon, Denise and Bob Miller, and Russ and Jackie McMahon; and numerous nieces and nephews all of whom where close to his heart.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances with Pastor Brian Keffer officiating.
Online condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com.