Obituary of DENNIS TUREK

DENNIS TUREK

April 4, 1952 to March 21, 2024

Peacefully on Thursday March 21st, 2024 at Health Sciences Centre, Dennis passed away at the age of 71 with his family at his side. Dennis leaves to mourn his passing, his three children: Sherie (Jeff), Robert (Melissa), and Michael (Carly) and his grand daughters: Abigail, Sadie and Ashlee. He will be greatly missed by his Uncle Walter and Auntie Elaine as well as cousins Ron (Susan), Chrissy and their children. Dennis was predeceased by his loving wife, Arlene Turek, as well as his parents John and Valentine Turek and his in-laws Irene and Alvin Wiebe.

Family was the most important thing in life to Dennis. As an only child, this was evident in the way he took great care of his parents as they aged. Ultimately insisting his mother Valentine, move into his family home in the Maples so he could ensure her comfort. The always caring son was eager to lend a helping hand for family and friends. Tiling and tending to the family gardens in pursuit of pleasing his parents and uncle was a regular task he took pride and pleasure in.

Dennis met his loving wife Arlene on the shores of Lake Manitoba at Twin Lakes Beach. They were happily married in 1973 and raised 3 kids. Dennis & Arlene made a great life for their family, providing a roof over their heads, a cottage to go to every summer and the kids had all that they needed. They enjoyed their 25th wedding anniversary in Hawaii and Arlene surprised Dennis with a trip to Vegas for his 50th birthday. If it wasn’t for Arlene’s sudden passing they would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.

A dedicated father, Dennis spent countless hours mentoring his three children in their academic endeavours and coaching/supporting their baseball, soccer and hockey teams. Epic pre-game speeches and in-game antics came naturally to Dad. His enthusiasm bubbled over and may have gotten him ejected more than once. A passionate fan always, watching sports with Dad was endlessly entertaining. This was as evident by the house full of people that would frequently congregate to join him and participate in the festivities.

Dennis instilled an appreciation for good music in his kids. It wasn’t that he forced music lessons but rather his love for music was infectious and you naturally wanted to share in the joy he got from it. This joy was cultivated in him by his father John and Uncle Walter who always had music playing. This love of music culminated in the success he had with the TKO’s as a premier Polka Band of the social and wedding circuit in Winnipeg’s North End during the 70’s.

Dennis worked tirelessly as Teacher and Vice Principal in the River East - Transcona School Division for 33 years. He started teaching social studies and drama at Arthur Day School in 1974. Through hard work and the ability to forge meaningful relationships, he rose the ranks to assume Vice Principal responsibilities at John W. Gunn and Salisbury Morse Place schools. An advocate for the middle year’s philosophy, Dennis believed strongly in the power of education. His philosophy as an educator remained consistent with his attitude in his personal life; make everyone feel welcome and included and there is nothing that cannot be accomplished. He believed he could get the best out of people if you worked with them as a friend. His life is a testament to that belief in action.

After 33 years of dedicated service he retired in June 2007 and set his focus on making the dream he and Arlene shared of making Twin Lakes Beach home a reality. Many obstacles were thrown in his way including the devastating flood of the century (2011) but by the spring of 2013 he had made that dream come true if only for a brief period.

The sudden passing of Arlene (59) in 2013 was a tragic and harsh blow for Dennis but he preserved and honored their dream by continuing to cultivate the lakeside paradise he and Arlene had planned for a lifetime together.

Post retirement Dennis never stopped working. This work included his tireless support of neighbours at Twin Lakes Beach to rebuild and pursue compensation for the devastation of 2011. The respect and admiration he earned from neighbours was warranted and evident to all involved.

In recent years, Dennis lived out his dream of spending summers at the lake surrounded by family and friends and then escaping the darkest months by wintering in South Padre Island, Texas. The friendships he made and maintained over distance are dear to him and speaks to his enduring good nature.

The D-Train as he became affectionately known in recent years will be greatly missed by the Twin Beach community, his winter Texan friends, as well as his many past colleagues and long-time friends. If you knew him, you have story. And that story will make the whole room weak with laughter.

Sail off Captain! In keeping with Dennis’s wishes a private service will be held.

In lieu of Flowers donations can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association.