BRADLEY MICHAEL ELIUK

May 30, 1961 – December 12, 2021

It is with immense sadness in our hearts that we share the unexpected passing of Bradley Michael Eliuk, on Sunday, December 12th, in the early hours of the morning.

 

Brad was born on May 30, 1961, in Charleswood, the youngest of five children, and lived most of his life there. He leaves to mourn his passing his children, Jenine (Rob) Brown, Austin (Janelle), and Rebecca; as well as his beloved grandchildren, Tenley, Eli, Oakley, and Jade. Also, left to mourn are his siblings, Oriana, Rhonda, Russell, and Melanie. Brad was predeceased by his parents, Melvin (2008) and Elizabeth (1992); and his beloved cat ‘Scooter’.

 

Brad was that special type of friend who would do anything and everything if someone was in need – from something as simple as lending a piece of equipment to one of his music buddies to re-shingling an entire roof for a friend in need. It is a testament to his character that he had so many friends who will miss him.

 

Not many of us still have friends from our childhood that we still count as close friends today but Brad had many. One of his best friends was Doug Sangster and while playing Superman with him as a nine-year-old, he managed to break a leg ‘flying’ off their family stoop. There are too many others to mention here, but he touched all of their lives in many ways. I guess he was a superman, after all.

 

Everyone should have a grand passion in their life and Brad’s was music. He started out as a teenager competing in the talent competition at the Red River Ex and from there went on to form his own band called Passing Lane which played at many venues both in Winnipeg and around Manitoba. He took some time off to get married and live the family life, but music still called to him and he always managed to keep that passion alive. Over the years he formed a few more bands, the Buster Keys Band, Rodeo Active, a duo called ‘He Said, She Said’ and most recently he resurrected the Buster Keys band playing old time classic country music. Whether he was on stage, around the campfire or behind the sound board, he was never far from music.

 

Anyone who knew Brad, knew and could chuckle at his extensive guitar collection. At any given time, he had in excess of thirty guitars and could always find room for just one more. His motto was “You can never have enough guitars”. He had a dedicated room in his house for them all and loved curating the ‘perfect’ collection. He even managed to find a small pink one for his eldest granddaughter, Tenley, and was teaching her the guitar.

 

Of course, music wasn’t the only passion in his life. Over the years he kept active and involved in sports. Whether it was playing in a rec league on weekends or coaching hockey teams- Brad was always on the go. As he got older you could always find him in front of his big screen TV cheering on the Bombers or the Winnipeg Jets, and he would have been so excited to see his team take the Grey Cup for the second time in a row.

 

A few years ago, Brad decided to go back to school and achieved his electrician’s license. We were all incredibly proud of this accomplishment as he finished at the top of his class and then went on to get his dream job working at the Health Sciences Center with what he would have described as some of the best coworkers ever.

 

Brad was so many things. But most of all he was a devoted father to his three kids and the best grandpa you could ever wish for to his grandkids whom he loved with all his heart. He was so proud of all of them and they always came first in his life.

 

And finally, he will be missed by his fur babies, Chevy the dog and his old orange tabby cat Dude.

Until we all meet again in that big stage in the sky, rest easy, little brother and keep watch over us and know that you will never be forgotten.

 

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life ceremony will be held in his honor in the New Year where we will invite those who knew him to be able to gather around his stage one last time and honour his memory.