Wayne Wright

                It is with broken hearts that we announce the sudden loss of our husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend, Wayne Wright after a devastating diagnosis of an aggressive cancer. At the age of 75, with his family at his bedside, he passed away on Tuesday, November 15th, 2022, at The Pas Health Complex.

                Walter Wayne Wright was born on Tuesday, October 7, 1947, in Dauphin, Manitoba to Anne and Stanley Wright. At the age of 11 he moved to The Pas with his family.  Wayne met Leslie Grant at The Pas Stock Car Club and they married two years later, on August 25, 1973.  Together they raised three ‘great’ daughters, Wendy, Heather and Lori.  Wayne and Leslie’s family continued to grow with 7 grandchildren which were a great source of pride and joy.  He was their ‘G-Pa’, and loved to spoil them, whether it was with treats, his time or his listening ear.  

                Throughout his life Wayne worked as a farm hand, grader driver in Snow Lake, helped run the Kolebaba dairy with Vic Kitzul, INCO nickel mine in Thompson, then spent the rest of his career as a locomotive engineer for CN and VIA Rail. He retired from VIA Rail in 1998.

                Wayne enjoyed curling when he was younger and took up golf later in life, but his passion was the outdoors.  He loved camping, fishing, hunting and bear baiting. He made many great memories at Clearwater Lake, fishing, camping, ski-dooing, quadding, visiting and helping friends and family. He was happy to have caught his first master Lake Trout at the lake this past winter with his grandson Josh.  Wayne had a large garden and took great pride in providing his family with fresh garden vegetables and his famous beet pickles. Wayne was the family BBQ’er, enjoying the quiet and the conversations with whoever joined him. 

                Wayne went on several hot holidays, but his favorite places to be were at Larry and Annette’s farm in High Bluff during harvest to help combine and the yearly trips to Fly-in Lake where fishing and family time is abundant.

                Wayne loved to laugh; his chuckle was infectious. He could often be found watching slap stick comedies like Mrs. Brown’s boys. Even though he was a man of few words, he always took the time to talk to others when at the mail, the Grub Box or with various friends during coffee time.

                Wayne was a very generous man with his time, often dropping what he was doing to help out his girls, whether it was fixing anything and everything or babysitting his grandkids.  He was funny, kind and loving, especially with his grandchildren. He loved watching them excel in their various sporting activities.

                Wayne touched many lives making an impact on all who knew him. He is missed immensely.

                Wayne will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 49 years, Leslie; his three daughters Wendy (Mark) Kobelka, Heather Wright-Ohryn, Lori (Donovan) McIvor; and his seven grandchildren Josh (Taylor) and Ally Kobelka, Aidan, Khari and Aubree Ohryn and Macey and Anna McIvor; sister-in-law Louise Ilchyshyn; brother-in-law Arthur (Judy) Grant; sister-in-law Sally (John) Pierson; as well as many nieces and nephews. 

                Wayne was predeceased by his parents Stanley and Anne Wright; his beloved sister Florence Cheetham; father and mother in-law, Arvid and Dorothy Grant; brother-in-law David Grant; brother-in-law Jim Ilchyshyn; and sister-in-law Judy Wiebe.

                The funeral service was held Friday, November 25, 2022, 1:00 pm, at Christ Church Anglican, The Pas, Manitoba, with Rev. Jann Brooks presiding.  Music Ministry was provided by Rochelle Rydberg.  Scripture readings were proclaimed by Rev. Deacon Maureen Maciesza and Candi Thompson.  Memories and tributes were shared by Lori McIvor, Khari Ohryn, Macey McIvor, Anna McIvor, Taylor Lewis and Louise Ilchyshyn. Honorary pallbearers were Larry Lytle, John Pierson, Victor Kitzul and Bill Robinson

                A reception followed at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall, The Pas.

  Flowers are graciously declined. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Christ Church Anglican Memorial Fund, Box 125, The Pas, Manitoba  R9A 1K3, would be appreciated by Wayne’s family.

To view full obituary, click on service program.