May 15, 1941 – May 2, 2021
Don Boch: A life well lived
Generations of kids, friends and family know him simply as “Papa Don”. It’s a title well deserved. He’s been there for them all…sharing his love of the lake, his joy of fishing, beating someone (anyone) in cribbage. Papa Don was loving. He was generous. He could be stubborn as a mule. All of this adds up to a remarkable life that we’re all blessed to have been part of.
Don was a railroader with CPR. Following in his father’s footprints, he spent his career making sure the lifeblood of this country remained connected. He worked from British Columbia to Ontario, and with that came the stories. There was “Two fingered Johnny” and the Russian poke. The axe-wielding Finn who was, thankfully, unsuccessful. The “bull cook” blissfully cooling off on a sweltering day in the roadgangs’ drinking water tank. There are many more stories like these that each of us can fondly remember.
Don’s stories came out when he was happiest, usually by a fire, in a boat or on the shore. He could surprise you with spontaneous poetry, in the moment and hilarious. He was rapping before they called it that.
For those who worked beside Don…at CPR, Ledcor or even on a home project…you’ll know a man that was focused, tenacious. He would do whatever it took to get the job done right. He was an original thinker, a creative problem solver and someone who never, ever quit.
Don Boch worked hard, but some might say he partied even harder. He loved to cook and probably fed everyone he ever met at some point. He loved his music and could dance up a storm even though it might take him a few days to fully recover. Rockin’ Papa Don.
Above all, Don loved his family. He and Gail started things off with Darryl and Tricia. Grandkids eventually followed after Darryl met Janice and had Matt, Ashley, and Kyle. Tricia and Steve followed up with Trillian. Don’s family grew considerably after meeting Diana. The extended flock now included Roberta, Nigel (and Guy) with Kirsti and Dillon filling out the list of grandkids. There is also a small army of friends that Don cherished as part of his family, many from work, golf, Forest Lake and his beloved Legion.
If a single moment can ever define a person, one evening while camping goes a long way to describing Don. The kids had just gone off to sleep in their respective tents. Don and a handful of the older diehards were wrapping up the day with a game of cards. Out of the blue, one of the cardplayers yells “Who rules?”. And out of the darkness came a youthful, but clear voice…“Papa Don rules!”
Don was born on May 15, 1941 and passed away on May 2, 2021 at St. Boniface Hospital at age 79.
Don was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Vera, his stepmom Olga (Shrupka nee Batenchuk) and his brother Barrie. He is survived by wife Diana, his children Darryl (Janice) and Tricia (Steve) and stepdaughter Roberta (Nigel) along with grandchildren Matt, Ashley, Kyle, Trillian, Kirsti (Tom) and Dillon. He is also survived by his brother Allan (Monika) Boch and stepsiblings Albert (Patricia) Shrupka and Diane (Kurt) Ising and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice.
25 thoughts on “Donald Boch”
Everyday was an adventure with Don and we were the lucky ones to be part of that adventure on a few days. So much fun. Will be missed so much by so many.
Best joke teller on the planet, Donnie loved life and was able to find life’s humour everywhere. Glad he will be missed because he was one in a million. If there is a great hereafter everyone there will know Donnie has arrived!
He truly will be missed and was a great friend
Donnie was my cousin. I didn’t see him often but when I did it was always fun. So sorry for your loss. Would have loved to have met you all.
Don was very close to my family. Everyone spoke of papa don. He always remembered my grandchildren’s birthdays. I will miss our weekly phone calls and the many laughs we had. I like to think that he and Louie are enjoying a drink together and reminiscing about the good old days. We love you papa don.
Wanda Perozik.
Had many a great time with Bochie at Forest Lake fishing, drinking, playing cards and eating too much. The only man I knew who brought a massive collection of spices to the lake. I guess he needed all those spices for those wonderful “Bon Bons”. I also remember those golf trips out to Lake of the Prairies. I could generally out-drive Bochie on most every hole but never seemed to be able to outscore him. Then there were the all too long afternoons at the Legion after golf at the Meadows where Bochie would quite often say maybe just one more rye and seven. Rest in peace Boch. I will miss all our fun times.
Bodo Roloff
Going miss my buddy. We went on many trips to Texas to visit our snow bird friends and play golf with them. Also many fishing trips plus golf trips with friends to Ontario Forest Lake and up to Roblin and Lake of the Prairies play golf and fish. Lots of his friends at Legion 215 on Henderson Highway are going to miss seeing him come in to have something to eat at Lee’s then order his rye and water then off to play the VLTs which he was very lucky at doing and always came away with more then he spent. Well my friend rest in peace and I’m sure your having a drink with all your friends who went before you and be assured we’ll all get together again for more golfing and fishing and a few more more drinks.
Don was a wonderful person. Met him when he worked in Thunder Bay. He will be sadly missed
Don will be truly missed
My mom (Diane Phillips) would always enjoy running into her first cousin Donny at the mall and would spend hours talking and reminiscing on their younger days. They were born a day apart. My Great- Grandparents (Boch) must have been ecstatic with 2 grandchildren in 2 days! Donny and G-Uncle Albert will have lots to talk about.
Lots of good memories with Bochi. He was a steadfast man with a great sense of humour. He will be missed.
We are going to miss having our liver night Don, in fact we owe you one so another place another time and we’ll catch up on our happy hour
We’ll miss you dear friend
Marjan and Dianna
Rest peacefully Papa Don. You will be missed. Enjoy your reunion with my dad and all your buddies above. We have lost another legend. We will take comfort in all the fun memories we have with you! We love you ❤️
Rest in piece My Friend
You were a Great Railroader and helped a lot of people out along the way
Never a dull moment with Don around
Loved to talk about our Boss Henry
Going to miss you Bud
Darryl and Janice ,although I never had the pleasure of meeting your dad Darryl (and I wish I had by the tributes) I am so sorry for your loss he will be missed .
BOCHI ! I am going to miss our monthly phone calls for sure as it was always great to catch up on everyone in Winnipeg
and the surrounding areas as you always kept track of all your friends and how they were doing that is why you were
PAPA DON .You were also known as BOCHI to a lot of others every time someone would mention a fishing trip we would
all ask is BOCHI coming knowing that the cribbage game and after dinner drinks which some times were many and
enjoyed by all concerned and all your joy full comments as well. The good lord dosen’ t know whats in store for him
When you get together with Louie,Arnold,Stan,Ron,And all Your other Friends who have gone before you what a party
that is going to be for sure .Going to miss you Buddy till we meet again .
Rest In Peace dear friend. 447 N Vickers was the place to be, you would always say hold onto your knickers you’re on North Vickers and what a party it was. Thank you Donny for all the wonderful memories, friendships and meals cooked together ❤️ Darryl, Trish and families I’m so sorry for your loss, he will be greatly missed!
The youngest kid on the block!
Met Bochi in Thunder Bay and shared many drinks, stories, games and laughs together. He was a wonderful railroader, great person and I’m honoured to say that he was a friend. Rest in Peace.
i remember don fromhisdays living in carberry .that would be in the fifties .i knew him from school and hockey . he was a real competitor in sports i remember his folks and being at his house .sorry to hear of his passing . condolenses to his family . regards wayne markle formerely from carberry now living in swan river .
On May 2nd a golden heart stopped beating. We will miss you, Don and our summers at Forest Lake will be forever changed. There will be sadness for awhile but all the stories, music, hockey games, fishing and good times remembered will bring back the smiles, Our thoughts are now with your family.
On May 2nd, a golden heart stopped beating and we will be forever changed. There will be sadness for awhile but with all the stories of music, “washer games” card games and fishing we will all remember Bochi with great fondness until the smiles return. Sincere thoughts from all of us at Forest Lake.
Heartfelt condolences to Bochie’s family. His “life story” captured him perfectly ….. a beautiful tribute to a life well lived. Wherever Bochie was, there was lots of laughter and fun times. We can just picture him with Louie and others who have gone before starting a “new chapter” He will be forever remembered and missed very much.
My condolences to Dons’ family. He was a great guy. He loved to call me half-shot because I took advantage of the women’s tee box when we golfed. Be at peace Don.
Liz Neault
My condolences to Don’s entire family and close friends on his passing. I knew Don during his CP career as he was one of the best railroader I ever had the opportunity to work with. He was a wealth of knowledge and a great teacher. He was a leader of his time, with his ingenuity and ability to alway make his work place a safer and more effective railroad. I had great respect for the man behind the smile and laugh. Don loved life! Rest In Peace Bochi!
My condolences to Don’s family and friends. I would often see Uncle Don at family holiday gatherings at Nana and Papa Boch’s house. The remembrance describes a man who fully enjoyed life and I was immediately reminded of him taking over the dance floor at our wedding.