GEORGE DAVID PATERSON KURYK

With deep sorrow we announce the sudden passing of George Kuryk at the H.S.C. in Wpg, MB, surrounded by his wife and children. He is survived by his loving wife Lydia of 62 years, daughter Wendy (Paul), grandchild Christopher, son David (Keri), granddaughters Sophia and Zarah, and daughter Catherine (Ryan), grandchildren Miller and Jordie, brothers Robert (Pat) Kuryk, Donald (Carole) Kuryk and sister Lynne Kuryk, along with a wide circle of the Kuryk clan. George was predeceased by his parents George and Doris Kuryk, in-laws Mary and Stanley Janush, brother Peter Kuryk (Marge), son-in-law Ryan Bourget, and newborn twin sons born in 1967. 

A life-long Winnipegger, George attended the University of Winnipeg and then the University of Manitoba where he earned his Master’s of Social Work in 1968. He began his career in social services as counsellor at Knowles School for Boys in 1960 while completing his bachelor’s degree. In 1965 George joined the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) of Winnipeg as a social worker and later became a supervisor. By 1981, he had taken on the role of Coordinator of Court Services for CAS of Wpg, where he gained recognition from both the courts and legal profession as an expert in the Child Welfare Act.  In 1985, following a restructuring of CAS of Wpg, George became a team leader of the North West Child and Family Service Office. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Area Director of North West CFS in 1991, a position he held until his retirement in 1998. George firmly believed that “every child has a right to a family of their own.”

George led an active life participating in various sports. As a young man he ran track, played basketball in church and school leagues, and played football for Issac Newton High school. Throughout most of his adult life, he enjoyed curling and golfing. George was a member of the Civic Curling League for over 50 years and participated in the men’s league at Rossmere Curling Club. George found his repose while playing golf and would happily describe the play at many of the courses in Manitoba.  In his later years he joined the Manitoba Seniors Golf Association, relishing in the camaraderie of other fellow golf enthusiasts. This September, George played his last round of golf in the company of his three children. We were, and will always be, so grateful for that opportunity.

West Hawk Lake was a very special place for George. He became enamoured with its’ deep waters and beautiful vista while learning to scuba dive. For many summers, George and Lydia hauled their little trailer to West Hawk’s campground and eventually built the family cottage.  Together they spent many years there visiting with friends and family and celebrating George’s birthday.  In later years, it became a place where he watched his beloved grandchildren learn to swim, scramble around the rocky landscape and find opportunities to connect. His grandchildren were very important to him, and he always sought ways to support them in their various endeavors.

Without George around, life seems a little bit empty. No more home-grown tomatoes, no more homemade red wine, and no more retellings of his high-spirited childhood years. Fortunately, ties to his family and friends will help support us in our sadness and all our memories of this tremendous husband, loving father and grandfather will keep us from feeling that emptiness for long.

The family is incredibly grateful for the care and compassion provided by the staff at the Urgent and Intensive Care Unit at H.S.C. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00am on Friday, November 8, 2024 at the Gled Eden Chapel located at 4477 Main Street, West St. Paul, MB. A private interment will follow. 

If you wish to make a donation to honour George Kuryk’s life’s work of caring for families and youth, please consider TeenStop Jeunesse, RAY or Palliative Care Manitoba.

George’s family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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