Obituary of Dale Ronald Shumka
December 13, 1942 - Vancouver, British Columbia
June 25, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta
It is with deep sadness and immense love that we mourn the sudden passing of our beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Family Member and Friend.
Dale was the youngest child of the late Hryhoriy Henry and Eudokia Bertha (Bezubiak) Shumka. Dale was also predeceased by his brothers Joe (Audrey), Ed (Margaret), and Les. He is survived by his sisters Marion Dolphin (Bob) and Phyllis Malcolm, sister-in-law Pat Shumka and many nieces and nephews.
Dale enjoyed a wonderful childhood growing up in a warm and nurturing family. His dad, affectionately known as Pops, worked out of town for long periods but they had great conversations and experiences and watched the Friday Night Fights whenever they were together. Dale helped his mom around the house and in their Victory Garden and he always spoke so fondly about the large gatherings of family and friends around the Sunday dinner table. A particular family favourite was his mother’s perogies. Dale’s parents were a kind and generous couple and the most wonderful father and mother-in-law to Andrea.
Dale loved playing all sports including old timer’s hockey at Hollyburn Country Club and skiing throughout Canada and Germany. He and his best friend Guido Devita coached the Wildcats, a junior football team, all the way to the Provincial Championship and never lost a game that season. They are still in touch with some of the players over 50 years later.
Dale was married to his soulmate Andrea (Wyatt) on June 18th, 1966 and they recently celebrated 57 wonderful years together. They raised four children - David (Maria) of Helsinki, Finland, Nicole of North Vancouver, Marnie of North Vancouver and Matthew (Christine) of Edmonton and had four grandchildren – Tristan, Quentin, Isabel and Wyatt. Dale was attentive and caring and supported them in all their pursuits. Dale shared his love of sports with his children - football, rugby, hockey, skiing and golf - and encouraged them to participate as well. He went to work no later than 5am so he could be home when school ended to encourage and coach.
Dale was loved by his family and friends and by all of Andrea’s family. His in-laws Hal and Marnie Wyatt, David and Judi Wyatt, Kate and David Cottingham and their families shared many wonderful times together, most notably Christmases in Longboat Key, Florida.
Dale was a respected businessman who owned several companies manufacturing and importing sporting goods. Most deals were completed on the strength of his word and a handshake. He was a mentor to many and a tireless cheerleader to anyone who needed his support and guidance. Dale had the ability to connect with everyone and make them feel special.
Dale’s travels for work often included Andrea and their children. This later led to many meticulously planned and memorable family trips all around the world with in-laws and grandchildren. In retirement Dale and Andrea travelled frequently and had many more adventures planned. They particularly loved their travels throughout Africa and Israel. More recently Dale enjoyed Christmases in Europe with his children and grandchildren.
Dale will be remembered for his passionate storytelling and incredible sense of humour; he was always interested and knowledgeable about world events, the military, genealogy and history. He was also a very proud Ukrainian. In 2019 Dale, Andrea and Marnie travelled to Ukraine and visited the village from which his father had emigrated in 1906. The guide for our holiday in that beautiful country was Andriy Dorosh who has since become an important and loved part of our family. When the war began last year, Dale set up a very successful fundraising foundation and partnered with Andriy to help and support the brave citizens of Ukraine.
Dale worked hard and achieved much success but he strongly believed true success was the ability to pay it forward and share his good fortune with others. One of the many causes Dale supported included purchasing two season tickets and gift vouchers for the Saskatchewan Roughriders football games to enable disadvantaged youths and a chaperone to attend games. This gift began over a decade ago as a tribute to Hal and Marnie Wyatt who were born in Saskatchewan and we will continue this in Dale’s honour. Dale was also very proud of the scholarship that was created as a tribute to his parents and was awarded to nursing students at Ternopil National Medical University in Ukraine.
Dale did not want to be mourned at a funeral so he will be honoured at several celebrations over the next year with family and friends in Canada and Europe.
Dale’s family has been deeply moved by the hundreds of messages since his passing and take comfort in the countless ways he has impacted the lives of all that knew him.
Dale, you are sadly missed but your love and kindness live on in all whose lives you have touched. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Support Ukraine Foundation at CSUF https://csuf.ca/