Obituary of Leonard Tymofichuk

October 28, 1946 – Winnipeg, Manitoba

December 8, 2022 – Airdrie, Alberta

With broken hearts we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Walter “Leonard” Tymofichuk on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 76 years of age. Lennie was like a force of nature with boundless energy. So now he rests, and his excruciating pain is over, but oh how we miss him already! His quick wit, his readiness to help out, and his genuineness were some of his best attributes.

Lennie was born in Winnipeg, MB, on October 28, 1946, to Maurice and Pearl Tymofichuk (both deceased). He had two siblings; sister Shirley Carey, deceased in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and a brother Richard. He has one surviving aunt Jean Nykoruk of Steinbach, MB, whom he kept in close touch with.

Lennie started in the construction industry at the young age of 15 as a labourer. As soon as he got his driver’s license, he moved up to Heavy Equipment Operating on the dam and generating station at Grand Rapids, MB. He worked throughout Manitoba on many large projects, such as airports and runways, hydro-electric dams, and the mega project, the Red River Floodway built between 1962-1968. At the time this was the largest earth-moving project in the world, second only to the Panama Canal. He became a Crane Operator (Operating Engineer) when Litz Crane & Rigging of Winnipeg offered a course in 1971.

Lennie and Katherine-Ann “Katie” (nee Reimer) met on a blind date on February 11, 1966, they fell in love and married on June 3, 1967 (Canada's Centennial). They were blessed with two wonderful children, Angel Diane was born on June 17, 1968, but sadly predeceased her dad on January 10, 2010. Jason Leonard was born February 9, 1971 and has followed in his father’s footsteps as a Crane Operator.

Lennie is survived by his brothers-in-law and their spouses and partners, Bill Reimer, Gene Reimer, Rick Reimer, Earl Reimer, and Leon Carey. He is also survived by his much-loved and only granddaughter, Riley Tymofichuk. Lennie was an “associate” member of Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 141 while we lived in Winnipeg and was also a member of BPO Elks while we lived in Didsbury, AB.

Lennie loved watching Nascar races and got to attend a few. His favorite drivers were Dale Earnhardt #3, until his tragic death, then his son Dale Jr. #88 took over as his favorite.

Lennie greatly enjoyed camping and fishing. He also was a fan of the Calgary Stampeders and the Calgary Flames. When Covid-19 hit the world and we became “shut-ins”, we became fans of the Toronto Blue Jays and rarely missed watching their games on TV.

Some of his favorite sayings were from the song “I Built This City”, “this is not my first rodeo”, and “I didn’t fall off it, I drove the turnip truck” – all alluding to his work experiences in Calgary and all-around Alberta. Lennie showed his love at home in many different ways. When I was having some heart issues in 2008 and required some surgery, the day after he came to see me and nonchalantly told me that he had quit drinking alcohol. He said he didn’t want to not ever be 100% sober in case I needed him in an emergency, and he never started since (and he never joined “the club” or attended one meeting).

I want to add that our son Jason has been our “strength and stay”, as Queen Elizabeth II described what Prince Philip meant to her. All this past year and especially these past “palliative” weeks, Jason has been here for us. Lennie never wanted to go to a home or a hospice. Without Jason, I could never have managed the 24-hour care that was required to keep Lennie home as his illness intensified.

In living memory of Leonard Tymofichuk, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Airdrie, 300 Towerlane Drive, Airdrie, AB T4B 3L8, Telephone: 403-948-1100.