It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Brent Anthony Hrechka, loving son, brother, uncle and friend to all whose lives he touched, on Friday June 26, 2020 at the age of 54.
Brent was born in The Pas, MB on February 15, 1966 and grew up in the hub of the north, Thompson, MB where his love of fishing, camping and the great outdoors began. Brent spent many summer days while growing up out at Paint Lake with family and friends swimming, water skiing and fishing or at the fishing camps of his father Carl and the late Morris Strate at Assean Lake and the Rat River. Winters brought adventures of skidooing and ice fishing.
Brent enjoyed spending time with his paternal Grandparents in Thompson often going to hang out with Grandpa at Three Way Motors, visiting Grandma at Mabel’s Tables at the Westwood Mall or exploring their farm in Dauphin and hanging out with his cousins in Thompson or Selkirk.
Many school holidays were spent at his maternal Grandparents property or at the Klima farm in Hudson Bay with all of his cousins, taking over Grandma’s basement, spending sunny days wondering down to Regional Park to go try and catch crayfish and bloodsucker and running free all over the farm.
This of course was all enjoyed while attending Deerwood School and RDPC high school. His first jobs were at the local bowling alley, Thompson Lanes and Norman Glass where he saved his money to spend on cars and having fun with his many friends. He had so many great memories of those years.
Having survived a life altering car accident in the late 80’s, Brent transferred his allegiance with the Canadian north and moved south to Winnipeg where he continued to enjoy life, got married and divorced and followed his passion of the outdoors that he got from his father. He spent many of his southern summers camping and fishing out at the beautiful Quesnel Lake with his brother, nephews and friends and his constant companion Gator.
At home he loved puttering around in his garden, he loved his tulips, chili plants and tomatoes. He also had an impressive jungle of houseplants. Brent was the only child of the family that had his mother’s talent and love of gardening. Brent was also an avid sports fan always watching football, hockey, and baseball. His friends will probably remember him best for his love of good, loud music. He always had a stereo that would shake the house, the neighbour’s house that is!
Brent loved to travel and had made many memories of travelling through most of Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Middle East. He loved exploring new places, meeting new people and was always keen to try new foods and drinks. Always bringing home stories of his adventures and t-shirts to match, plant and flower seeds if he could and new recipes to try at home.
Brent was an animal lover, he loved animals of all kinds, he adopted many dogs and cats over the years from family, friends, and local rescue agencies. He even took in a dog and cat all the way from the Middle East. He never refused an animal in need of a loving home; he had a heart of gold.
Brent is survived by his parents Carl and Helen Hrechka, his brother Troy Hrechka, his sister Rhonda van Veggel and his nephew’s Erik, Willem, and Charlie van Veggel.
An interment will take place on July 11, 2020 at Sunnyside Cemetery at NW 29-11-5E on Heatherdale Road in the rural municipality of Springfield
The family ask that you spend time with your loved ones; family and friends and make a toast to enduring friendships; lifelong and beyond. That is what Brent would wish.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die
– Mary Elizabeth Frye
Read Less
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Brent Hrechka Friday June 26th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Oakbank, Province: Manitoba