Wilfred Zaharia

On September 19, 2024, Wilfred passed away at the Riverview Health Centre at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife Sylvia, stepson Dave (Michelle), children – Jim (Debbie), Bill (Eileen) Ron, Cheryl (Neil) and their mother Anne Zaharia. He has nine grandchildren: Livia (Brendan), Mark (Paula), Tanya (Derek), Jay (Courtney), Cody, Daniel (Chris), Samantha (Ben), Wyatt and Amanda. Eleven great-grandchildren: Melanie, Maycee, Bellatrix,  Fitzwilliam,  Adam, Erika, Owen, Skyana, Rosie, Carson, and Caylee.

Wilf fought a long battle with many health challenges. Final being Congestive Heart Failure. He rarely complained and was very strong, surprising everyone including the staff at RHC at his will and determination to fight the many health issues working against him.

He is the last of his siblings. Born and raised in Transcona, Wilf worked at CNR and Via Rail for many years. In his youth he spent many summers out at “the farm” in Rivers with the Wareham family. He was able to enjoy a long retirement doing a lot of the things he liked to do including going to Wade/Fox Lake, fishing, and hunting. He was often seen riding around Wade on his ATV side-saddle visiting and checking in with all his friends and neighbours.

He enjoyed seeing his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a storyteller and told many stories of his youth, growing up in Transcona, his many dogs, railway tales, and many others.

Wilf and Sylvia enjoyed their time at the lake, traveling on the train, bus trips to the U.S. with friends and time with family.

He will be dearly missed by this wife Sylvia. We will miss the morning wake up calls to the sound of Wilf driving his ATV from Rocky Ridge over the railway crossing with his trailer banging on the tracks. He would come for a cup of coffee, telling a tale and on occasion he would have the odd 20-minute job that would usually turn into an afternoon or even the day. He was happy when he could put everyone to work! Wilf had an excellent memory. He could always remember exactly where to find what you needed in one of his many sheds. He was a great father figure and even a better friend.

The family would like to thank the staff at Riverview Health Centre for their wonderful care and compassion of Wilf. They went above and beyond anything we hoped for.  He was taken care of by all the “Special Angels” at RHC. We are so very grateful.

Flowers are politely declined. If so desired, donations in Wilf’s memory can be made to Riverview Health Centre, 1 Morley Ave, Winnipeg, MB. R3L 2P4 or www.rhc.mb.ca