At the age of 65, Ronald William Kopeschny left this world on January 14, 2022 after a brief but courageous fight with cancer. He was predeceased by his father Willy, mother Mary and sister Lori.
Left to mourn Ron’s passing are: his devoted wife, of 19 years, Shelley, daughter Chelsey (Chris) Fay and grandsons Charlie and Cole, stepdaughter Krystal Raven, daughter Kerilee (Dan) Falloon, brother Harold (Donna) and family, sister Diana (Gil) Rempel and family and sister-in-law Karen (Len) Terlinski and family and Mother and Father-in-law Pat and Alex Ross. Ron will also be remembered by neighbors, children and parents from St. John’s Ravencourt School, his colleagues at Beaver Bus Lines and his honorary granddaughters next door.
Ron enjoyed a fulfilling childhood, as the oldest of the Kopeschny cousins. His childhood memories are good times spent with his brother Harold and his Dad. The girls were mostly with Mother he would say. He fondly remembers his Scout Master and how he learned so many camping skills under his leadership – and this became a lifelong love of spending time in the great outdoors. Eagles Nest was a hi-light growing up and sometimes the entire family would travel by boat and fish and enjoy the camping life. He recalled staying at his extended families’ cottage in the summer where he got into mischief with his beloved cousin Rudy Fast. He always chuckled when he spoke about those favorite times. There were lots of family get-togethers and celebrations and much laughter.
Ron was always a hard worker. He joined his father and brother and started to stucco for his Father’s business while they were still young teenagers. He was a whiz in the kitchen from a young age, helping his Mom peel garlic for her many jars of pickles, and learning specialties like Ya Shmood A Ach aka (smothered potatoes) and that pickles went with every meal! We all heard Ron boast he was just 15 years old when he would make pizza for the family.
37 years ago Ron experienced a love bigger than he had ever felt before when Chelsey was born. He would speak with pride how very smart she was. When she came over to his house they would share movie times with pizza or her favorite chicken fingers from Mitzi’s. As she grew he would watch her care for horses and marvel how gentle and kind she was with them. Later on they would go to The Meeting Place Church together.
The life-altering experience of Ron’s entire life happened when he followed his sister Lori to The Meeting Place in downtown Winnipeg and learned what it meant to be a Christ Follower. Some of his fondest memories of his adult life were the times spent at TMP working with the tech team to “make the place rock”. He served in that capacity and was an eager learner of all things to do with the sound system. He did make a commitment to submit himself and asked Jesus to be his Lord and Savior so that he would be forgiven of his sins and spend eternity in heaven. Finally he was able to grab hold of the life he had always longed for: free from self-doubt, shame and self-depreciation. He needed this to release him to become the Man of God that he was until the day he died.
While serving on the Alpha Team, Ron met Shelley from the Prayer Team. It was a match made in heaven. Two lonely people found total acceptance and unconditional love in one another. Along with Shelley, Ron welcomed Krystal and Kerilee to complete their family together. Krystal and Ron had a quirky way of understanding things in the same way – they just clicked. The girls teased Ron a lot and Krystal recalls how she used to have to hide her food in the fridge and label This is Krystal’s so he wouldn’t eat it. Kerilee found in Ron a man that would be a gentle and safe man that would truly love her Mom and be her life partner. They developed a relationship and this provided much healing for her.
Ron had a collage on his phone of Shelley, Chelsey, Krystal and Kerilee and he was quick to boast “Just look at my girls!”.
Called away from the city, Ron and Shelley moved out to the Interlake a time or two. Spending time away from the rest of the world surrounded by lakeside beauty is exactly what these two needed to deepen their commitment to one another and to God, who brought them together.
Ron and Shelley loved the lake life and went kayaking, camping or to a cabin every chance they got. In winter, they would go snowshoeing and go for long walks at Hecla Island. They had an ongoing card tournament that they enjoyed bringing to different cabins or campsites.
Ron loved: bird watching and his binoculars and bird book went everywhere with him. He loved to cook, with his cast iron pan, over a campfire or coleman stove. Ron was an excellent cook, as was a grillmaster when it came to barbecueing steak and burgers while he also took on the creative challenge of stuffing bell peppers with whatever he could find in the fridge.
He enjoyed cheering on the Winnipeg Jets and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In his final years, Ron became a neighborhood fixture while taking his dog Teddy on long walks, greeting anyone else who was out and about.
The girls next door, who he nicknamed Breedy and Hissy, enjoyed teasing “Grandpa” as he was out doing yardwork or walking Teddy. They had a special relationship and will always honor him as their beloved Grandpa. They brought so much happiness and fun for Granny and Grandpa.
Ron drove for the City of Winnipeg Transit for over 23 years. Ron retired from Transit and secured a position with Beaver Bus Lines – first driving the Selkirk to Winnipeg route, then, later after moving back to Winnipeg, he assumed his most treasured role – that of a School Bus Driver for the students attending St. Johns Ravenscourt. Driving the children to and from school gave purpose and meaning to his life. When Covid hit he told Shelley that he was committed to get vaccinated as soon as possible, mask up and restrict gathering ahead of restrictions, saying that he owed it to the parents who entrusted their greatest treasures – their children – to his care. Life was precious to him and he did not understand others who did not share his values of loving others before yourself.
Flowers graciously declined. If you feel inclined please encourage someone to get vaccinated or buy a health care provider a cup of coffee and thank them for their service. They need our support and appreciation.
Special Thanks to Dr. Greg Storoschuk and CancerCare MB Doctors and CancerCare Navigators Alexis and Nicole for your excellence in care. Your kindness will never be forgotten.
Thank you to all Health Care Providers at St. Boniface Hospital Medicine Ward 5 E
For those final few days when Ron was your patient. Thank you for helping him.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ronald William Kopeschny April 21 1956

January 14 2022..

Bardal Funeral Home and Crematorium

Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba

death notice Ronald William Kopeschny April 21 1956

January 14 2022

mortuary notice Ronald William Kopeschny April 21 1956

January 14 2022