1964 ~ 2011
It is with great sorrow that we announce the sudden and tragic passing of a beautiful man, Eric William Lefko. He was born September 3, 1964, and taken from us November 2, 2011 at the young age of 47.
Left to cherish his memory is his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 26 years Amanda; his children Brittany Balness (Matthew), Ashley (Waylon), Troy (Jessica); grandchildren Weston and Payton Sytnick; his parents Bernie and Lavinia Lefko; sister Bernadine Kaminski (Terry); parents-in-law Les and Diane Evers; sisters-in-law Louise Scholz (Wayne), and Sarah Wilby (James), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and many, many friends.
Eric, at the tender age of 16, began farming with his father Bernie, with his son Troy later joining the legacy. He was a dedicated, successful worker, who filled the shoes of two men. Eric worked hard and played hard; his favourite pastimes included flying with his best friend, hunting, fishing, quadding, vacationing and socializing with family and friends.
Eric was a charming man, with a zest for life. He had a contagious laugh, and a smile so big it would light up a room. Our social butterfly could make people laugh at the most serious of times. He was a well-respected man, with a heart of gold.
We are so grateful for the outpouring of support and flowers our family has received thus far. Should friends desire, donations may be made in memory of Eric Lefko, to the Brokenhead River Community Foundation Inc., PO Box 2225, Beausejour, MB.
A celebration of Eric’s life was held Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 11:00 a.m., with viewing beginning prior, at 9:30 a.m . at the Brokenhead River Community Hall.
We will miss our Eric dearly and know one day we’ll be together again.
Offer Condolence for the family of Eric William Lefko
Print This Obituary & Condolences
WAYNE RIDDALL
OUR SINCEREST CONDOLENCES ON THE LOSS OF ERIC. HAVING SUFFERED THROUGH OUR LOSS OF HOLLY WE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH. WORDS CANNOT SUFFICIENTLY EXPRESS OUR SORROW FOR YOU.
WAYNE AND MARLENE RIDDALL
Diane Martin
I grew up with Eric and always remember him as easy going,friendly and don’t think he had a mean bone in his body. He will be missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.
Allan & Renetta Komadowski
To the Lefko and Kaminski Families
We are shocked and sad to hear about the sudden and tragic departure of Eric (a son, a brother, a brother-in law, a husband, a father, and grandfather)
Our heartfelt prayers are with you at this difficult time.
We pray for your family to have the strength to make it through this difficult time.
Love Allan, Renetta Kimberly & Kelsey
Toy & Jack Heemskerk - Rayer
Dear Mandy, kids, Bernie and Lovey,Bernadine,
Lynn just told us about the terrible news. We are still in shock. It is unbelievable that it can be over in just a fraction of time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you through this heartbreaking time. There’s nothing we can say that will ease your pain but we just wanted you to know we are thinking of you. Our deepest condolences. Toy and Jack
Deb (Otto) and Dave Deprez
The people that you care about the most in life are taken from you too soon. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all the family and friends.
Lisa & Brian
I am so sorry to for your loss. Eric was an awesome and very caring person. You are very lucky to have had him in your life. He was taken away from this world way too soon but obviously God has another plan for him. He is now your guardian Angel looking over your family. Thoughts and Prayers are with you.
Heather (Otto) Worona
I am very saddened to hear of your loss. Eric left a lasting imprint on many lives and he will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the families.
Len & Jan Pleskacz
Mandy;
We are so sorry to hear about your loss! We cannot imagine what you are going through but please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
With our deepest sympathy, Len & Jan
David Martin & Family
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Eric’s untimely passing.
I remember Eric as a carefree, easy going person with an adventurous spirit. We spent years on the same school bus, and in summers riding our bikes with family and friends throughout the neighborhood.
Eric will be missed by all who knew him.
My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time
Kevin and Hanna
Our broken hearts, thoughts and Prayers go out to Amanda,Britteny,Ashley,Troy,Bernie,Lovey and Bernadine.Eric was a wonderful caring person with alot of zest for life. He will be missed deeply by all his Family and Friends. Eric will be in our hearts always.
lynda wallis
to the families,my heart is aching for you,we are all sharing in your sorrow,god has a special place for eric in his beautiful gardens,may he rest in peace and may you draw strength from your friends and the community,love to all of you,lynda and richard wallis,beausejour
Lisa Fosty-Gagné
Mandy, Brittany, Asheley, Troy, Bernie, Lovie and Bernadine.
There are no words to make the pain go away, the grief lessen. There are only memories left behind from a loved one who stood by your side during the good times and the bad. I am truly sorry for your lose, I have cried buckets of tears, which hardly compares to the gallons you have cried. He will be missed by all who have walked beside him at one time or another. Hugs to all of you, I am thinking of you all.
Wayne and Jan Mennie, Bob and Nicole Mennie
We are so deeply saddened by the news of Eric’s passing. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Wayne and Jan, Bob and Nicole
Nancy Trapp Melan
Mandy,and family, Bernadine and family, Mr. and Mrs. Lefko,
I am so sorry for your loss, Eric was taken so tragically, God has many plans for him. He was a wonderful person. I have been away from Manitoba for 19 years, but I remember Mandy and Eric as high school sweethearts. He was always full of energy I remember watching him Ukrainian dance and he was a whirl wind. He always made people feel welcome into a group and yes he had a very contagious laugh.
When I heard through my parents that Eric was taken my heart broke for his family, I send my warmest thoughts and prayers to you all. I wish I lived closer and could offer to do more, Eric will always be missed but never forgotten.
Friends, Nancy Trapp Melan
alan hathaway
~~M.R.hathaway family england ~~
deepest sympothy to r mandy and family . words can not express how we
feel not able to be there with all the
family.at this sad time. of such a special man Eric .~god BLESS U ALL.~
~~ MAY GOD GIVE U ALL SRENGTH TO
GET USE THROUGH THIS VERRY SAD
TIME LOVE FROM HATHAWAY S ~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kirsten Hathaway
Mandy:
I’ve spent the last week thinking about you and Eric – my heart is breaking for you.
Growing up, along with Louise, you were the closest thing to having my own big sister. When you invited me to be a part of your wedding party as a “junior” bridesmaid, I was so honoured and excited. As a kid, my lasting impression of Eric was that he was a kind of “big kid” himself but as I grew up I saw him as the dedicated and loving husband and father as well.
You two were so lucky to have had the chance to love each other and to grow up together. While this week is filled with profound grief and loss, I hope you can see the time you had with him as a gift as well.
Brittany, Ashley and Troy:
Undoubtedly you already know what an awesome person your father was. The outpouring of love and support from friends, family and the community is a testament to that. I think you should be immensely proud to be his children. Your dad was a good, hardworking man who loved you to bits. The best way to honour him is to take his lessons to heart to make a good life of your own.
Through it all, as many have said this week, Eric could bring a smile to anyone’s face just by sharing his own easy smile. His warmth and kindness made the world a better place.
I’m sorry that I won’t be able to come to Manitoba this week to tell you this in person but I just wanted you all to know that you are in my thoughts. From afar, I send my love.
Rob and Carol Otto
Mandy
Our deepest condolences go out to you and your family. I have a lot of great memories of Eric, as we grew up. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
nancy hathaway
Nancy Mark Laura Debbie and Gary
send sincere condolences to Mandy Brittany Ashely Troy and Eric’s family, words can not express how we feel at this sad time,hope knowing that we care and are thinking about you all gives you a little a bit of strength to get you through this sad day. love to all
Nan AND family
Diane Gibson (nee Koreman)
Mandy,
Although we have not seen each other for many years, when I heard about your husband, my heart broke for you and your family. Please know that I am thinking of you and I hope that the memories and the love that surround you during this time will keep you strong. My very deepest condolences…your old friend Diane
Rosemarie Francis (nee Rose Smith)
Mandy, It has certainly been along time since I have connected with you however the memories are still very strong of you and Eric as the two lovebirds at Beausejour High. You had a love that lasted the test of time and yielded a beautiful family. You both set an example for many to follow and one day you will be reunited.
Know that many people are thinking of you even those you have not seen in a long time. Eric will live on through his children and grandchildren.
Hugs Rosemarie