Gerald "Jerry" John Robak
July 11, 1947 ~ November 23, 2024 (age 77)
Jerry Robak Bio
Our Inductee is Gerald "Jerry" Robak. It gives me great pleasure to tell his story written by his wife Gloria.
Gerald "Jerry" John Robak was born on July 11, 1947, and resided in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba. In 1975, he married Gloria Frykas and they farmed in the RM of Grandview, Manitoba. Jerry also worked in many trades, but one of his greatest joys was his passion for Ukrainian music and performing as a musician, on drums, with his band members, for 50 years.
At the age of 16 years, Jerry spent a lot of his time with two of his best friends, also cousins to him, Mervin Robak and Leonard Manchur. Mervin was talented in playing the accordion and guitar, and Leonard played bass guitar, accordion, and violin. Jerry then decided to buy a set of drums and play along with them, and together they started a band. Jerry purchased his drums at Dauphin Musical Supplies for $150.00 and soon practices commenced. Peter Chubey from Grandview was their violinist at that time. They frequently got together and practiced many Ukrainian tunes. After a few days of constant drilling, and because he had an ear for music, Jerry was well on his way to start performing at local dances, Manitoba Farmers' Union dance events, "stag and showers", anniversaries, and anywhere where they were asked to play.
They formed their orchestra and were called "The Drifting Kings". The time frame was the early l960's. Soon their bookings for events commenced. They played in Gilbert Plains, Grandview, Mink Creek, Ethelbert, Venlaw, Dauphin, Keld, Ashville, Sifton, and other areas.
After some time, Peter Chubey left the band and Bill Kumka from the Keld area took over as the violinist. Syd Puchailo also played guitar and Walter Puchailo played steel guitar. These guys were busy with Stag and Showers, weddings, anniversaries, and dances in general, and some of these were in Winnipeg. At this time, Jerry drove a 1960 Strato Chief Safari wagon, and almost every weekend, the drums would be loaded and the band was on the road again.
At many weddings in the neighborhood, the orchestra had to arrive early to the bride's home and play for the traditional ShIiub/Vinchannia ceremony, where the braided plant, myrt (myrtle), was placed on the bride's head before her veil. Needless to say, the orchestra commenced their day of music from noon on the wedding day until 2:00 a.m. after midnight.
Besides playing with his own band, Jerry was asked to play with many other musicians, travelling to Winnipeg and also to Ituna, Gorlitz, and Melville, Saskatchewan. They were always so appreciated for their music, that they often went home with a gift of a case of whiskey from the wedding family.
As the years went by, The Drifting Kings had some changes.
Jerry and Mervin then joined Fred Chetyrbok and Edward Werbicki and became known as "The Parklanders 4". Jerry saw an ad that read "Drums for Sale" and figured he better jump at this as his drums were really feeling "beat" already. So, he purchased this nice set for $400 and he was so happy to continue playing with Fred, Ed, Mervin, and later, Leo Kozar on accordion.
The 1970's and going forward for many years, "The Parklanders 4" were very busy with bookings. It was during this time, in 1975, that Jerry and Gloria were married, and although they wanted to go away for a honeymoon, they went as far as Winnipeg because Jerry had to be home by the next weekend to play at another wedding in Keld.
The socials and weddings were constant into the fall, and the children of the baby boomers were getting married. A lot of the baby boomers were celebrating their 25th anniversaries. Dances and Praznyks were also on the go. The Parklanders 4 were booked for many New Years dances. This usually involved -38 to -40 degree weather. It didn't stop Jerry and the guys from playing. They dressed in skidoo suits to get there, and sometimes left vehicles running during the dances to ensure they were warm enough for the instruments.
Jerry also enjoyed when we took our two sons with us to many functions that he was playing at. The boys were proud of their dad and took an interest in music in their later school years playing drums.
The orchestra was playing at weddings and anniversaries in Winnipeg, St. Claude, Manitoba, Kenora, Ontario, and a few communities in Saskatchewan. One place in particular was Durban, Manitoba. The weddings there were huge playing for "Presentation" usually took three hours of constant playing until the whole crowd greeted and presented their gifts to the bride and groom, along with the bridal party and the parents greeting the people. Jerry always came home elated from playing at any function. And it wasn't uncommon if someone was celebrating a special birthday or anniversary in their yard, the instruments came along and the music was enjoyed by everyone.
Jerry and his father-in-law, John Frykas, had the honor of playing with local musicians, Sam Hucal and his family, at the Mink Creek Holy Trinity Parish's 100th year of celebration. Alvin Pentlichuk, violinist, also played with them for various functions. They sometimes were asked to play at a few Century Farm celebrations in the region.
Although "The Parklanders 4" never professionally recorded their music, a CD of some of their tunes was recorded and 51 has been often played at family events.
Throughout his 50 years as a drummer, Jerry played with many musicians — Peter Chubey, Mervin Robak, Leonard Manchur, Bill Kumka, Syd Puchailo, Walter Puchailo, Fred
Chetyrbuk, Ed Werbicki, Leo Kozar, father-in-law John Frykas, Bill Frykas, Marvin Procyshyn, Betty Shewchuk, Steve and Harvey Myk, Peter, Bill and Gerry Musey, Cliff Hadway, Patty Andriechuk, Wes Bernat, Alvin Pentlichuk, Bill Kuz, and many others.
In 2014, Jerry underwent open heart surgery, which afterwards, unfortunately, led to dementia.
Jerry Would have been very honoured to be inducted to the Ukrainian Musicians Hall of Fame. Music was his passion, along with bringing entertainment and joy to the many people he had the pleasure of playing for.
As his family, myself, Gloria Robak, and our two sons, Jarett and Jason, are very honoured and happy that Gerald "Jerry" Robak is inducted to the Ukrainian Musicians Hall of Fame.
At this time, we invite the Robak family to come forward as we induct Jerry with "Honorable Mention" into the Ukrainian Musicians Association Hall of Fame. Jerry Robak...a local drummer that entertained for many functions near and far over 50 years....Vichnya Pam'yat!
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.
