NED SMUK It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Ned Smuk on Thursday, April.9, 2009 at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach at the age of 67. He is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years Bernice (Lischynski); son Ryan; mother Mary Smuk; one brother Myron Smuk (friend Francis); three sisters Leona (Martin) Howbold, Pat (Paul) McWilliams, Paulette (Doug) Penner, nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; as well as his sisters-in-law Phyllis (Bill) Mushaluk and Eleanor Lischynski; and one brother-in-law Melvin (Barb) Lischynski. He was predeceased by his father Paul Smuk, his grandparents and his mother and father-in-law. Ned was born in Steinbach, MB on June 26, 1941 and was raised on the family farm in Sarto, MB. He attended Willow Plain School in Sarto till the age of 13 then moved to Steinbach where he attended his junior and high school years with even one year of school in Glenmore, MB were his brother Myron was a teacher. With trucks inscribed in his soul Ned left school and pursued his career with his father Paul in the Transfer Business (Sarto Transfer) and also helped with the garage repair business (Paul’s Service). Upon the selling of the transfer and garage business a few years later, Ned continued his passion for trucks where he drove truck for a few local contractors hauling gravel, Friendly Family Farms as a feed truck driver, Southeast Transfer hauling freight, and then his final career of 35 years which he loved, where he worked for the Manitoba Government in The Highways and Transportation Department driving truck until his retirement in Feb of 2007. Besides trucks, Ned had many other hobbies and was always active; from playing sports in his earlier years, watching and coaching his son Ryan in hockey, to fixing and tinkering on cars, old lawnmowers or anything that needed repair to his joy of the outdoors; from gardening, yard work or just sitting on the deck and enjoying the sounds of summer. Another pastime of Ned’s was going to dances were he could kick up his heals with his wife Bernice and at the same time meet up with old friends and family. Ned’s true passion was his love for music which he continued up to the day before his passing. Ned played the accordion and started up the band Red River Valley Polka Kings later called Sincerely Yours and continued playing for over 30 years. No matter were he went or what he did, the radio was always on and so was his music. Satisfaction also came to Ned when his son followed in his footsteps and started playing accordion and in a band as well. This gave Ned the opportunity to dance and be proud of his teachings. Ned was a people person who loved to joke around and have a good time and was the life of the party. He put everyone else’s needs first before his own, but his number one priority in life was his marriage and love for his wife Bernice and his love for his son Ryan. They were what mattered and that is what Ned’s life was about. Ned’s family would like to thank the paramedics and the staff at the Bethesda Hospital Emergency Room in Steinbach for the care and comfort they gave Ned and his family in this time of need. Viewing will be held Tuesday, April 14 starting at 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at Birchwood funeral Chapel, 150 Penfeld Dr., Steinbach, MB, followed by a Funeral Service on Wednesday, April 15 at 10:30 a.m. also at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with interment at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 200 - 6 Donald Street; Wpg., MB R3L 0K6 "Vichnaya Pamyat"