RICHARD WILLIAM PALUK

July 17, 1950 - July 3, 2022

Hello dear family and friends. It is with heavy hearts that we must say farewell to our brother, uncle, and dear friend Ric.

 

Ric grew up in Fort Garry with parents Bill and Peggy, sister Joan and brother, Michael. He attended Crane School, Viscount Alexander, and Vincent Massey Collegiate.

 

From the time he was able to talk, he loved to sing. So much so, that our mother had to make some rules: 1) No singing at the dinner table, and 2) No singing after bedtime.

 

Ric spent a lot of time as youth involved in programs at the Downtown Winnipeg YMCA, including completing the Red Cross swimming safety program and gymnastics. His involvement with the ‘Y’ led him to the YMCA Camps Branch. Ric worked at both Camp Manitou and Camp Stephens in summers during high school. His experiences with family camping growing up and later camping and canoeing at Lake of the Woods instilled an enduring love of the wilderness. The lasting friendships from the ‘Y’ and later Camp Stephens remained dear to his heart for the rest of his life. Ric shared many of these experiences with his good friend, Greg, born just a week apart from Ric and always like another brother to him.

 

At age 16, Ric took up playing the guitar and his musical journey began as a folk duo with his high school friend, Doug. They played together as simply, “Doug & Ric” and  made a name for themselves with their perfect harmony, playing at church coffee houses every almost every weekend in Grades 11 and 12.

 

Ric later attended the University of Manitoba and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. During his University years, he continued playing music with his friends Bob, Kris, Lenny, Tom, and briefly Dan, as “Second Tyme”.

 

After Graduation, Ric went to work for Pitney Bowes and worked his way up the corporate ladder until he decided to pursue his musical passion and he set out as a solo artist, singing and playing his guitar for many years in lounges throughout western Canada.

 

After several years on the road, Ric returned to Winnipeg with his career largely focused on real estate, as a realtor and later as a property assessor. He also broadened his experiences by working at times in the family business, Queen Anne Upholstering & Furniture Company, and with Stage Lite Entertainment.

 

Ric continued to play music with his friends, including Bob, Kris , Lenny and Ryan in a band called “Disraeli Freeway” and later he formed  “Echo Park”, with his brother-in-law, Bob, friends Gerry and Brent, and his beloved nephew, Brian. When nephew Brian left Winnipeg to pursue his career in BC, he was replaced, of course, with Ric’s good friend Bob on drums once again.

 

Ric helped instill a love of music and the outdoors in his other beloved nephew, Michael, who played piano in the studio with Ric. They also enjoyed exploring Fort Whyte Alive and other trails together.

 

Ric’s most recent musical endeavour was a duo with his friend and work colleague, Patrick, playing a tribute to Canadian singer-songwriters as “Canadian Express”.

 

Ric recently retired from the Province of Manitoba where he worked for the Assessment Branch. He played his final concert with Canadian Express on the bandstand in front of Winnipeg Beach on Saturday evening, July 2nd. His friends, Bob, Tony and Dan joined him and Patrick to round out the sound for the event. Ric passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at home the next morning. 

 

In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place and his ashes will be scattered at a location he named and loved. Also, in accordance with Ric’s wishes, there will be no formal service; however, an informal get together will be held for family and friends on September 14, 2022 at 2:30 p.m.. Location: The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg, 603 Wellington Crescent in Winnipeg.

 

We know from speaking with so many of you since his passing that Ric’s presence and his fabulous vocals will be missed and remembered well by so many people who crossed paths with him. Halleluiah!