Dmetro (Jim) Rohatensky was born in Calder, Saskatchewan October 25 1934.

 

He attended Radio College in Ottawa in 1953, and began his Radio Operating career with the Department of Transport, DOT, in 1954, rotating between Winnipeg, Coral Harbour and Resolute Bay NWT, until 1964. He also was employed at the Dept. of Communications Melville Monitoring Station from 1965 to 1973.  Jim then worked as a Radio Inspector in Winnipeg from 1973, taking stints at the Churchill, MB Ionospheric Station 1981-83 and Fort Smith, NWT in the mid 1980’s.  Jim retired in 1991 after 37 years of Federal Service.  He continued to stay in touch with his former DOT co-workers looking forward to the gatherings and the opportunity to visit with old friends.

 

Jim passed away August 31 2012 at the age of 77. (Data compiled from information received from Jim’s family after his passing).

 

Bill Stadnyk

March 15, 2016

   

DMETRO JOHN (JIM) ROHATENSKY of Winnipeg, MB passed away on Friday, August 31, 2012, at the age of 77 years. Jim was predeceased by his beloved wife Sylvia (nee Sobkow), his parents Metro and Mae, parents-in-law Kazimierz and Anna Sobkow, brothers Bill and Mike, brother-in-law William, and nephew Blair. Jim is survived by his sons: David (Elaine), Gerald, Paul (Lynn), and his two grandchildren Jazlyn and Andrew; also brothers Peter and Tony, sister Vickie, sisters-in-law Iris, Violet, Marie, and Julia, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

 

Jim met his wife Sylvia in Winnipeg and they were later married on September 5, 1959. Together they raised three sons making family homes in Melville, SK, Winnipeg and Lockport, MB. Jim loved to travel. Together Jim and Sylvia had cruised Alaska, the Caribbean and South America. Recently with his son Gerald, he cruised both the waters of Antarctica and Alaska, placing him in a very small group who have been to both the far northern and southern extremes of the planet. Spending time with his grandchildren was one of his greatest pleasures, as well he enjoyed being an active participant in his Church community. Jim will be dearly missed by his surviving family and friends.

 

The funeral service was held on Monday, September 10, 2012 at the Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1001 Grant Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Father Darren Kawiuk officiated. A graveside service took place at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Cemetery, Elphinstone, Manitoba on Tuesday, September 11, 2012. Father Mark Filips officiated. Rae's Funeral Service of Shoal Lake and Erickson were in care of the arrangements.
Publish Date: Sep 7, 2012 in the Winnipeg Free Press

 

 

I worked with Jim as a Radio Operator for Transport Canada during the period 1963/64. The work consisted of Air/Ground communications with domestic and international aircraft (some of the first Polar Flights) and also Morse Code and Radiotelephony communications. This was a very isolated environment and it was good to have co-workers like Jim to help the days, particularly during the dark period, go by. Jim was pleasant to work with and had a good sense of humour. Obviously he will be missed. RIP Jim.

Sincerely Bill Stadnyk.
Posted by: William (Bill) Stadnyk (Friend and Co-Worker)