William (Bill) Walter Ripa of Canora, SK, beloved husband to Polly Ripa, and loving father and gido, passed away losing his battle to cancer, on August 27, 2013 in Palliative Care at Canora Hospital at the age of 83. Bill was born on July 16, 1930 to Tony and Nellie (Romanow) Ripa. As a young boy he attended Forest Hill School. On October 18, 1956, Bill married Polly Shinkewski at the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Rama, SK. Bill worked for Majestic Wiley Pipeline which took them to Moose Jaw, Portage La Prairie, and Galt, ON. In the fall of 1957 they returned back to Canora where Bill started Bill's Taxi Service and in 1963 they built an apartment building in Canora. In 1967 they moved to the farm in the Amsterdam area and Bill began farming. In 1978 they moved to Canora but Bill continued to farm until he semi-retired in 2007 and retired in May, 2012 when cancer became an issue. During his farming days, Bill also worked for Canora Central Motors picking up new Steiger trackers from the factory in Fargo, ND. He also drove school bus and worked for Ludba Construction in Canora. Bill was known for his love of music, and he played the guitar, violin, banjo, and base guitar. Bill played in numerous bands over the years and in his later years played at various old time dances. Bill was also known for winning a few fiddling contests. In his spare time he loved to hunt, fish, curl, camp and spend time with his two granddaughters. If you were looking for Bill, just stop and listen, for you would hear him whistling a Ukrainian tune. Once Bill semi-retired from farming, he and Polly travelled to many places including Texas, Mesa, Yuma, Las Vegas, Nashville, Alaska, Churchill and Niagara Falls. Bill will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was predeceased by his parents, Tony and Nellie Ripa; brothers: Pete, Steve, Joe, John and Paul; and sisters: Lola Baker and Mary Ripa. Bill is lovingly remembered by his wife Polly; his two sons Terry and Darcy; daughter Sharon (Reg); two granddaughters Ally and Kailey; sister Sophie Foster (Saskatoon); sister-in-law Francis Ripa; and many nieces and nephews. A Prayer Service was held on Friday, August 30, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Leson's Funeral Home, Canora. A Funeral Service was held on Saturday, August 31, 2013 from the Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Canora with Rev. Fr. Joakim Rac officiating. Interment followed in the Canora Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Allan Blair Cancer Clinic, Regina or to the Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church Building Fund as tokens of remembrance in memory of William Ripa. Those unable to attend are invited to sign an on-line guest book at www.lesonsfuneralhome.ca . Arrangements were entrusted to LESON'S FUNERAL HOME, Canora (306)563-5671.
