BARRY STANLEY PITURA

Barry Stanley Pitura passed away on October 7, 2025, at the age of 79, after many years of living with strength and dignity while in care at Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg.

At Riverview, Barry was well-known and loved by staff, residents, and visitors alike. He was admired for his kind heart, helpful nature, friendly smile, and easygoing attitude. He formed strong bonds with those around him, and his days were filled with the warmth of community.

Barry is survived by his children, Alison Zulyniak (Jason) and Keith Pitura (Jaime). He was “Grandpa Barry” to Kyler, Brayden, Abrielle and Tessa, taking great joy in their visits and hearing about their sports, adventures, and everyday lives. Barry was predeceased by his former wife, Susan, with whom he shared 24 years of marriage.

Born in Winnipeg on February 1, 1946, to Stanley and Agnes Pitura, Barry and his family lived his first years on what was his grandparents Paul and Sophie Pitura’s homestead near Domain - now known as Pitura Seeds. The family later moved to their own nearby farm, where Barry shared his childhood with sisters, Pat and Valerie. A kind-hearted boy, he was surrounded by uncles, aunts and many cousins, spending hours doing chores, building forts, skating on the pond, playing hide-and-seek in the yard, and enjoying board games together.

At just 14, Barry took on significant responsibility after his father suffered a heart attack. He missed school to work in the fields, drive the tractor, and haul grain to support the farm and family. Barry attended elementary school in Domain and high school at Morris Macdonald Collegiate Institute in Sanford for grades 9-12. After high school, Barry completed a welding course at the Manitoba Institute of Technology and continued working and running the farm. He farmed until early 1990s. Like most farmers, he could fix just about anything that broke — and if he didn’t have the right tool, he’d engineer one himself to get the job done.

Barry enjoyed curling and played in many bonspiels, as well winning a city league. He also treasured the company of his Domain buddies, often gathering for good times and playing pool in his basement. As a young man, he served his community as a volunteer firefighter with the Macdonald Fire Department.

Barry had a lifelong love of outdoors and nature — whether camping, hunting, time on the farm, walking the fields, or simply appreciating the prairie. That connection to nature stayed with him at Riverview, where he could always be found cruising the paths, sitting in the sunshine, checking on the river, or making the occasional trip to 7-Eleven.

He also had impressive card skills — especially in cribbage, where years ago he taught his young children how to play and count the cards. It’s no surprise he won several tournaments and proudly earned the title of Riverview Cribbage Champion.

In 2024, Barry took part in a documentary titled A New Beginning, which shared the message that living in care is not an ending, but a new chapter — a life still meant to be lived. Barry proudly attended the film’s premiere and enjoyed it as much as any of his favourite outings.

Our family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Riverview Health Centre for their compassionate care and the meaningful connection they shared with Barry. You were like family to him, and we know he was part of yours in return.

In keeping with Barry’s wishes, there will be no formal service. His family will honour him privately, remembering his happy spirit, his quiet warmth, and the amazing grace he carried in his later years.

Thumbs up, Barry.

Rest easy, Dad.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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