Nelson John Baranyk

Nelson Baranyk

Nelson was born November 16th, 1948, at the Shoal Lake Hospital to his parents Walter and Anne Baranyk. His brother Leonard was waiting for him and his sister Janice joined later to complete the Baranyk family of five.

Nelson grew up on the family farm in Seech, MB. Around the age of eight, his family moved to Strathclair, MB, where he lived, attended school, and later graduated.

Eventually Nelson moved to Winnipeg, MB where he lived with his sister Janice. During this time, he met the love of his life and future wife Shirley Katchin. In the summer of 1973 they moved to Brandon, MB and on October 20th, 1973, they married in Rossburn, MB on a beautiful sunny day.

Nelson and Shirley had two additions to their family, Michael in 1977 and Shane in 1979.

One of Nelson’s greatest prides was building his family home in the fall of 1985 with his uncle Lawrence. They lived in that home until May, 2022 when he moved to Valley View Care Home where he spent his remaining years.

There are many words to describe Nelson: funny, joyful, caring, helpful, hardworking and charming to name a few. He never tried to be the life of the party or the center of attention, but when he entered a room, he was. With his big smile, hilarious laugh and broken English people loved Nelson the moment they met him!

For over 35 years, Nelson worked as a Meat Inspector for the Federal Government and at the same time ran an income tax business, running from house to house doing income taxes and making friends. He worked extremely hard to support his family and at the same time lived and enjoyed life to the fullest.

Between chasing kids to hockey rinks, golf courses and ball diamonds he found time to do one of the things he loved most... spend time with friends and family. Nelson loved any get together - a supper, wedding, social or someone stopping by to get their income tax done. The conversation usually started with Nelson saying, 'You got time for a drink?'

Next to his family, Nelson’s next love was golf! He loved playing the game, but even more so, the people he golfed with, and his time on the course was never enough.

Through his entire time in Brandon, Nelson was a devoted parishioner at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church and a member of the Men’s Club at the Ukrainian Reading Hall Association where he spent hours volunteering and enjoying good times with good friends.

Into retirement, Nelson and Shirley travelled and spent countless hours chasing their four grandkids, Carter, Billie, Kasia and Brady.

Nelson loved life, loved people and more importantly loved having a good time with friends and family. At gatherings he would sometimes just sit back, not say much, but take it all in!! This was truly his best time of life.

Funeral Service will be held at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 927 Assiniboine Avenue, Brandon on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Fr. Yaroslav Strukhlyak as Celebrant. Cantor will be Stella Fedeniuk. Lunch will follow at the Ukrainian Reading Association Hall.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations in memory of Nelson may be made to St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 927 Assiniboine Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 0G7.

“Dad, it is guaranteed when people met you, they never forgot you and as for your family we will never forget you and how hard you worked to give us the best life possible, which you did. Dad, we will love you forever and you will always be remembered.” Love your family.

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