Gerald "Jerry" John Robak
July 11, 1947 ~ November 23, 2024 (age 77)
Gerald "Jerry" Robak Obituary
Gerald John Robak passed away at the Grandview District Hospital on November 23, 2024, at the age of 77 years. He was known as “Jerry” to everyone and also had the nickname of “Jinx” since his school years, and the latest one was “Rodge”, with the Frykas family, as he initially used that name when he greeted them. Jerry was the youngest son of John and Mary (nee Puchailo) Robak and was born on July 11, 1947, at the old hospital in Grandview, Manitoba. Along with his parents and older brother, Walter, Jerry first lived on the farm Section 14-27-23 which was later owned by Matt Shumka, but his dad took sick and the doctor in Winnipeg advised him to quit farming. So in 1948, his parents moved into the town of Gilbert Plains and Jerry was 11 months old at that time. They eventually built a home on Maude Street. Jerry’s dad started a Scrap and Iron business, purchased a welder in 1955 and Jerry started welding culverts for the R.M. of Gilbert Plains by the age of 11, learning to weld by his dad. He often skipped school classes as he enjoyed welding instead. Jerry did not like going to school, and although his teachers reported him as being kind and respectful to everyone, he eventually dropped out of school. He started working at MacLeods Store owned by Roy Bruin. He was making 0.35 cents an hour and was saving up to buy a Harley Davidson motorcycle. He eventually did buy one and enjoyed it very much until he met up with a bull that jumped onto the road going to his Uncle Alex’s store. The Harley was beyond repair at that point. Jerry also went to Winnipeg and worked at Wilson Auto Electric where Walter and Adeline worked, and cousin, Tony Robak. During the winter months, Jerry went with his uncles and cousins to the Duck Mountains to cut pulp. Jerry’s dad had a trap line in the mountains also and they all enjoyed fishing year round, and hunting. Jerry’s dad bought a cottage at Singush Lake that they really enjoyed. They bought a boat and Jerry enjoyed waterskiing or driving the boat for the many friends who came to their cottage to water ski or go fishing. Jerry and his dad built a welder that Jerry took on the road to weld for many people on the farms and on road construction for Clayton Childs. He also worked for Ohms Construction, James Transport, and Joe Joe’s Sales and Service. It was at this time that Jerry and Gloria Frykas met while both their parents were patients at the Dauphin Hospital. They were very much in love and knew they wanted to spend their life together. They were married on July 19, 1975, and purchased a farm on NW 22-27-23W, from Walter and Mary Blogowski. They farmed until 1992 and decided to rent out the land as they were both working full time at their jobs. They were blessed with two sons, Jarett, born on March 13, 1982, and Jason, born on August 20, 1986. During this time, Jerry joined Alex Dupley and Marc Smith and they built many new homes and garages. They called themselves JAM Construction (Jerry Alex Marc). Jerry really enjoyed carpentry and we frequently visited one another and developed great friendships. During the winter months, Jerry once again worked with the late Stanley Harapiak and Dennis Medwid cutting pulp. He really enjoyed working with them also. Throughout all the winter months since they were married, Jerry cut and split wood for their house that has two wood stoves for heat in the winter. After the carpentry business folded, Jerry worked for Ed Bomak, Arnie’s Welding and Repair and then later joined one of his best friends, Harvey Bassett’s bee farming and then later Momotiuk Enterprises. In March of 2014, Jerry underwent open heart surgery which later complicated his health with dementia. Jerry was 67 at that time and did not enjoy a normal retirement. His life was never the same after that and Gloria and her sons really missed the husband and father he was up to that time. Since the age of 16, Jerry’s favorite pastime was playing the drums. He had a complete day of practice with cousins Leonard Manchur and Mervin Robak, and played at his first social at the Venlaw Hall the following day. For the next 50 years, he played with Bill Kumka, Leonard Manchur, Mervin Robak, Syd Puchailo, Fred Chetyrbuk, Ed Werbicki, Leo Kozar, Walter Puchailo, Bill Frykas, Marv Procyshyn, father-in-law John Frykas, Betty Shewchuk, Steve and Harvey Myk, Peter, Bill and Gerry Musey, Cliff Hadaway, Patty Andriechuk, Wes Bernat, and many other musicians. Sadly, after his heart surgery and with the dementia, the music in Jerry left him. Jerry and Gloria loved to dance, but Jerry could no longer dance to the music. Jerry also enjoyed playing pool and especially bowling which he was exceptional at.
Jerry was predeceased by his parents John and Mary Robak, two sisters, one 4 days old, Margaret, and another sister who died prematurely, great nephew Riley Robak, Ed, Raylene and Cory Robak, many uncles and aunts and cousins, father-in-law John A. Frykas, sister-in-law, Doreen Storozuk, and niece Amanda Frykas along with her daughter Savannah, and many relatives in the Frykas and Bewsky families. He also missed his cousin and best friend/musician Leonard Manchur (Jeannette), and one of his best friends, Harvey Bassett (Linda, Michelle, Darlene). Jerry was very fond of all our furry friends and missed them as they passed on.
Left to mourn and to cherish his memory are his wife Gloria of 49 years, sons Jarett (Robyn) and Jason (Efruz), granddaughter, Daphne, brother Walter (Adeline), nephew Warren (Sherry), great nieces Dara and Avery, brother-in-laws Ron (Linda), Harry (Gail), Robert (Tammy), Gord Storozuk (late Doreen), sisters-in-law Verna (Maurice), Maryanne, Sharon (Terry), uncles and aunts, numerous nieces and nephews and cousins, godchild Erin Metcalfe, close friends, also special childhood and late teen friends, Mervin Edith Robak, Ernie (Hank) Karaim, Russell Frykas, Carlyle Martindale, and Inky Mark. His fur babies will also miss him, Wally, Carlos and Murphy, they were great therapy for him. Also all the grand pups, Burton, Deedee, Ozzy, and Marty.
Funeral Service was held on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 10:00 am from Sneath-Strilchuk Family Care Centre in Dauphin, MB with Rev Father Ivan Hnativ Very Rev Father Oleg Bodnarski officiating. Interment followed in Mink Creek Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery.