Karpo Sawchuk

Charles “Karpo” Sawchuk of Russell, Manitoba passed away on April 6, 2025, at the age of 82 after a courageous and hard fought battle with  cancer.

Karpo is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marcianne Sawchuk, 2 sons Chris Sawchuk of Russell, Randy (Terry Page) Sawchuk of Russell, 4 daughters Cheryl (Vernon) Falloon of Prairie Lake Lodge, Tara (John Munro) Mushumanski of Rossburn, Tanya (Dave) Reagh of Binscarth, Kimberley (John) Motuz of Minnedosa. 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; Jessica (Reece) Keay, Kade & Koden; Jasmine Falloon, Naiyah; Carter (Kylie) Mushumanski, Nathan (Merissa) Falloon, Kendra Falloon, Hannah (Rowin) Reagh, Dru (Emily) Mushumanski, Taryn Sawchuk, Kane Reagh.

He is also survived by 6 brothers Willie (Denise) Sawchuk of Thompson, Harold (Roberta) Sawchuk of Thompson, Elmer (Pat) Sawchuk of Rossburn, Peter (Jeanette) Sawchuk of Rossburn, Michael (Brenda) Sawchuk of Rossburn, Terry (Pam) Sawchuk of Rossburn. 4 sisters Leona Barnesky of Winnipeg, Beatrice (Pete) Doroshuk of Saskatoon, Marianne (Peter) Katarynych of Saskatoon, Julia (John) Lemoine of Calgary as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Karpo was predeceased by his parents, Tony in 1988 and Gladys in 1995, as well as his nephew Greg in 1999.

Karpo was born on August 15, 1942, in the RM of Rossburn to Tony and Gladys Sawchuk. He was the firstborn of 11 children. He attended school at Ruthenia until the eighth grade, where he then went on to finish his schooling in Angusville. At the age of 17, he attended the priesthood in Roblin for four short months. Everyone who knew Karpo, knew him by this name, however when he attended Ruthenia school, it was his teacher that told him that he was better suited as Karpo than Charles. He went home to his parents and told them and from that day forward, he went by Karpo.

Karpo met the love of his life, Marcianne Chipelski, and they married on May 17, 1969, at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Russell. Karpo and Marcianne made the move to Thompson shortly after they were married, where Karpo started his career in the construction  industry, working for Malcolm Construction. In 1970, they welcomed the first of 6 children. Christopher Charles Peter was born on July 10th, 1970. Two years later, they welcomed Randy Anthony Richard on June 9th, 1972. Cheryl Lynn-Anne arrived on December 6th, 1974 and Tara Suzanne on February 5th, 1979. It was then that they decided to pack up the family and make the move to Russell. They welcomed two more daughters, Tanya Lee on August 7th, 1983 followed by the baby of the family, Kimberley Anne on November 7th, 1987.

Karpo worked in the construction industry his whole life. After working with various contractors in the area, he decided to start his own business, Yellowhead Enterprises Ltd. and worked alongside his son Randy for 16 years before he decided to semi retire. He was a man who had a passion for construction and anyone that had work done by him, knew the quality, craftsmanship and precision he used in every job that he did. He could take any drawing or idea and make it a reality. He was very meticulous and took such pride in his work.

Karpo had a love for the great outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, morel picking, wood splitting and had a passion for his garden, which was always bigger than it needed to be, but he took pride in being able to share his homegrown goodies with friends and family. He also made the best homemade soup and always had a room full of canned goods in his basement. He had a sense of humor like no other and always greeted you with a joke or riddle. He was always up for a good old back country cruise with anyone that called him to go. He loved attending car and gun shows, museums, as well as the Thresherman’s Reunion in Austin, MB. He loved visits with friends, and his garage was always the place to be on Thirsty Thursdays.  He had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed watching them do the things they loved, including hockey, baseball and Ukrainian dance. He truly was their biggest fan. His smile could light up any room, and he could always make a bad day better simply by just being himself. He was the kindest, most caring person, and he truly did make the world a better place. He believed in hard work, and that was evident in his everyday life. From the moment he woke up to the moment he went to bed, he was always working on something or keeping himself busy. There was no off switch with him. His family always referred to him as the energizer bunny because he just kept going and     going.  He was one of the hardest working people out there. There was   never a day that went by that he didn’t appreciate life and all that it had to offer, even when things didn’t go his way. He embraced life with courage, resilience and a never give up attitude. When he was diagnosed with cancer, he faced each day with optimism and never let his misfortune define who he was. He never complained or felt sorry for himself, but faced every day with a positive attitude. He truly made the best out of any situation. He was an inspiration to so many, and he will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him.

 “Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories”