It is with great sadness the family of Thomas “Tom” Karpiak announce his passing on October 5th, 2018 surrounded by family and friends at St. Boniface Hospital.

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Tom will be greatly missed by his wife Nettie of 51 years and their three sons. Rick with wife Shelly and their children Dylan, Sheridan and Tori, Rodney with girlfriend Barb, and Robert with former wife Heather, and sons Collin and Dain. 

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Tom is survived by Brother Ernie and wife Mabel, sister-in-law’s Vickie, Elsie (John), Darlene (James) and numerous nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his parents Bill and Nellie Karpiak, in-laws Bill and Betty Maksymiw and Brother Boris.

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Tom was born in Dauphin, Manitoba and lived in Haig District (Garland). At 17 he briefly worked in British Columbia returning to Manitoba. In November of 1965, Tom and Nettie started dating and were married on October 22nd, 1966. 

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Tom worked many years out of town at several different locations.  The longest time away was in Fort McMurray, Alberta where eventually Nettie joined him in 2007.  They lived in Centennial Campground where they enjoyed visiting with friends and spent many hours going dancing at The Oilcan.  They worked very hard to turn their 36 foot fifth wheel into a home where their grass and yard amazed many people. In September of 2014 they made their way back to Winnipeg to their home originally purchased in March of 1973 where they lived until Tom’s passing.

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In 1965, Tom joined Local 254 as an apprentice Steamfitter working for Randall Plumbing and Heating.  After receiving his Journeyman status, in May of 1973 he went on to work at Vipond Fire Protection as a Sprinklerfitter.  In 1978 Tom assumed the position of road Superintendent.  He was very passionate about his role which spanned 20 years. In 1999 Tom joined Rick and Rodney in Fort McMurray where he worked for an additional 15 years until he retired.  Tom received an award for 50 years of service with the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices for Plumbing and Pipe Fitting on April 13th, 2017.

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So much of Tom’s life was spent hunting, fishing, travelling, visiting with friends and his grand-children. In 1980 his love for friends and the outdoors persuaded him and Nettie to lease a lot in Buffalo Point, Manitoba where they built their cottage.  Tom always made visitors feel right at home offering his hospitality from the moment they walked in making Caesars or toasting “bacon”.  Tom’s favorite pastime was playing Canasta with family and friends.  He loved watching the Winnipeg Jets and Winnipeg Blue Bombers but often yelled “for 5 or 6” at the players through the TV.  

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The family wishes to voice gratitude and appreciation to WFPS and the Emergency Department at St. Boniface Hospital.  A huge thank you to the Intensive Care Unit and Dr. O. Mooney, his nursing staff along with health care aids for their never  faltering care in treating Tom with only the highest level of dignity and respect.

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At Tom’s request, cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held on October 21st, 2018 at 2:00pm at Glenlawn Memorial Gardens located at 455 Lagimodiere Boulevard, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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A second celebration of life to be held in the Dauphin region and will be announced in the spring of 2019.

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In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s memory to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation online at hsf.donorportal.ca

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The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name,

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. 
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever

                                               -Amen.