Alexander James Papp

On January 11th, 2015, with family at his side, Alexander James Papp of Swan River,  passed away peacefully at the Swan Valley Health Centre.

Dad was born on October 14th, 1930 in Endeavour, Saskatchewan, the youngest child of Alexander and Esther Papp who had immigrated to Canada in 1924 from Hungary. In 1936, along with his two sisters, Margaret and Esther, the family moved, together with 36 other families to the Whitebeech District. He attended school at East Smokey Spruce. As a teenager, he left home and worked at various jobs including farm and bush work. At an early age he discovered his love of farming and fascination with clearing land. Times were tough but he managed to find a way to purchase his first cat and build a bulldozer; he began custom clearing and breaking land.

In 1953 he married the love of his life, Frances Kastrukoff. In 1954 they were blessed with the first of their five children. In their early years they lived in portable homes to be able to keep the family together. In addition to farming the land they moved and did bush work in the winter. Trees had no mercy after the purchase of a brand new caterpillar D-6 in 1956.

They continued to work hard and in 1959 they began to build their permanent home on the homestead that their youngest son still resides in today. He also supplemented their income with custom grain drying. Dad also served as a councillor in the RM of Livingston. 

Alex continued to farm with his sons and in the spring of 1987 Mom and Dad moved into Swan River to a new home they had built. Dad was only semi-retired as he continued to help on the farm. Even in his later years, he never lost his love of the land and would visit the farm regularly and help out however he could. Amazingly, just this fall, he helped his son clean a yard site.

Dad, along with his family, were proud that he joined the AA Program and enjoyed 40 years of sobriety.

In his retirement years, along with mom, they enjoyed many good times with their grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed curling and snowmobiling, and going uptown to visit people.

Alex is survived by and leaves to mourn his loving wife of 61 years, Frances; five children Clayton Papp (Debbie) of Spruce View, AB, along with their children Erica and Joshua (Tanya) ; Wesley Papp (Deb) of Swan River, and their children Kyle (Jane) and Sterling Papp and extended family, Shane (Kelsa) and Jakigh;  Donna Gallerneault (Dwayne) of Duck Lake, SK,with their children Michelle (Mike), Beau (Meghan) and Ryan (Polly) Gallerneault; Terry Papp (Kathy) of Swan River with their children Lucas and Dylan Papp, and Lenora Kinaschuk (Ricky) of Benito, and their children Nathan and Tyson Kinaschuk.

Dad was predeceased by his parents and two sisters.

Dad, you live on in the hearts of those that knew and loved you.

Evening prayers were held on Thursday, January 15th, 2015 at 7:00 PM from the Chapel of Paull Funeral Home, Swan River, Manitoba.

Funeral service was held on Friday, January 16th, 2015 at 2:00 PM from the St. Andrews United Church, Swan River, Manitoba with Reverend Dr. Jenny Sprong officiating.

Active Urn bearer was Joshua Papp.

Following the service Alex was laid to rest in the Birchwood Cemetery, Swan River, Manitoba.

Should friends so desire, memorial donations in Alex’s honour may be made to the Heart and stroke Foundation.

Paull Funeral Home and Crematorium was honoured to have served the family.