With his loving wife by his side, Paul Bankonin passed away in hospital on Friday, February 4, 2022 at the age of 85. Beloved husband of Frieda (nee Kerber). Loving father of Trudy (Rob), Harvey (Kristi) and Chris (Sue). Opa of Sierra, Cruz, Braden, Cole, Alexa and Ella. Dear son of the late Waldermar and Alwine, and brother to Alex (late Marga), late Ida and late Olga (late Helmut).
Paul Bankonin was born July 15, 1936 in Goroschki, Ukraine. He was the third of four children born to Alwine and Waldermar. During the Second World War, his father was lost and assumed dead. His mother and four children fled the Ukraine to Poland, and then to East Germany. Three years later under great danger, they made their way to West Germany.
The family immigrated to Lethbridge, Alberta in 1953, and worked in the sugar beet fields. They joined a strong community at Bethany Baptist Church. While many of his family later moved to Edmonton, Paul remained in Lethbridge.
Paul met the love of his life, Frieda Kerber, in Edmonton and after a short engagement, they were married February 18,1967. While living in Lethbridge, Paul and Frieda’s family expanded with the births of their three children. Paul worked as a brick layer and stone mason. He loved sharing experiences with Frieda and their children. Summers were spent fishing at Duck Lake in Montana, while winters involved trips skiing in the mountains, swimming at Radium Hot Springs and occasional trips to Waikiki, Hawaii.
In 1990, they moved to Victoria BC, and joined the community at Central Baptist Church, where they remain members to this day. Paul and Frieda enjoyed entertaining at their house and working in their garden. Paul’s love of travel and adventure continued with trips to Israel, Germany, China and many extended family trips to Mexico.
A Memorial Service will be held in the sanctuary at Central Baptist Church, 833 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC on Saturday, February 12th at 1 pm. Friends are invited to join in person. The service will also be available to be viewed via livestream at https://youtu.be/-BBeBPl3RNU
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to Geordon and Marilyn Rendle at Youth For Christ: https://yfc.ca/donate/. From the drop down menus select:
- “Ministry of a Staff Member”
- “Geordon and Marilyn Rendle”
You may dedicate your gift in the memory of Paul Bankonin.
Condolences may be left below.
McCall Gardens
http://www.mccallgardens.com
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Shirley serfas
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Ursula Morrice Tante Friedchen and Family,
I just watched the wonderful memorial service
for Onkel Paul,
Such beautiful memories of a life well lived,
He was a kind ,gentle man who loved you all greatly,
His legacy lives on through you all and the gifts
he left, through his brick work and his service to others,
I have fond memories of when we visited you in Victoria,
Take Care of each other, Love Ursula and Rod xx
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Wilfred Weick Pastor Wilfred Weick
It was my great privilege to be Pastoring at Bethany Baptist Church in Lethbridge, AB., following Rev. Peter Schroeder. I have many fond memories visiting and getting to know your family and the hospitality shown to us. Once Jeanine and I were able to experience that gracious hospitality when we were camping on Vancouver Island you and Paul invited us to your place in Sydney. Your family was such an encouragement to the ministry while our two families were living in Lethbridge. Be assured of my prayers for you Frieda and your dear family in the days ahead knowing you all will miss Paul because of your love for him as a family. Yet in real faith believing in the hope of the Resurrection we shall all meet again in the place God is preparing for all of his dear children in Gory! And what a day that will be. God bless all of the days ahead. Thank you for being a blessed “Kingdom Family” for the Glory of God.
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Barbara & Peter Brown Dear Frieda, Trudy, Harvey and Chris:
Our deepest sympathies. The memorial service was a beautiful celebration of Paul’s life. So many wonderful memories. Our love, thoughts and prayers are with you all.
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Tanja and Carlos Mena Dear Frieda, our deepest condolences to you and your family. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
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Sigrid and Leonard Emery We have very fond memories of the incredible garden full of fruit trees and berries, as well as many more beautiful things that Paul lovingly grew around his home.
We also remember Paul as a gentle soul, and we pray that he is now joyfully and peacefully gardening in God’s heaven.
Our deepest sympathies to the whole family.
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Valentine Schleindl Dear Frieda nd Family:
Our sincere sympathy to you all on the death of your dear Paul.Thinking of Paul and his family brings back many fond memories of the early years on the ship, the long train ride and our lives in Shawnessy. How we walked for miles to visit each other. As young people in Bethany Baptist Church we made many great trips to Park Lake and to Waterton Park. We were all poor but were very happy and blessed. What great times they were. It was there that we committed our lives to the Lord.
May you find great comfort that Paul lis with his Lord and Savior.
Klaus and Valentine Schleindl.
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Ruth (Klassen) Pedersen Dear Frieda & Family,
In this time of loss,
May your heart feel the tender
nearness of God,
The caring love of friends,
And the cherished comfort of memories.May God strengthen & comfort you at this very difficult time.
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Foy Chong Frieda, our heartfelt condolences.
Paul was such a good strong man. He will forever be in our thoughts. His quiet hid his strength in character and ability.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Foy and Irene
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Ernest and Myrlene Kennedy Dear Frieda and family,
Paul is now in Heaven with the Lord he loved, but it leaves a big hollow empty spot in your hearts. Learning of Paul’s Homegoing brought back warm memories of being in your lovely home and your joining us on our wonderful trip to Israel, Jordan and Egypt. We will try to join you on line for the service on Saturday.
With our love and prayers,
Ernest and Myrlene Kennedy
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Diana Muteteri With Sympathy
To you Frieda and family,
With deepest sympathy we pray that the Lord will fill your days with His Peace and comfort to your heart. He was a beautiful gift to you. Now he is in peace with God.
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Reinhart Kelbert Just wanted to pass on my condolences. Paul was a great friend to our family. The fishing trips back in Lethbridge meant so much to my father.
And being able to work for your dad meant a lot to me. After all these years, he’s still as good a boss as I’ve ever had. It didn’t matter how big or small the job was, Paul always made it as close to perfect as he could. To this day, every time I see brickwork, I check the spacing, the joints, and how even the courses are! Rarely do I see any work as good as Paul’s!
I remember working with him on a 2 story drypack stone fireplace for a large new farmhouse close to High River. I had to unpack all the stones from the flats, lay them out across the entire yard, and then Paul would walk down the rows, picking out the exact size & shape he needed next. He could have finished that job in 1/2 the time it took him, but it would not have been nearly as beautiful. I learned a lot about craftsmanship from him and was always proud of the small part I played in the things he built.
Paul’s faith was a big part of his life and I hope that faith comforts your family during this time of loss.
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Arnetta Leach I am so sorry for your loss Frieda. My sincere condolences. May he RIP.
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Susan Engel Freida,
I am so very saddened to learn of the loss of your dear husband. I have always enjoyed sitting in front of you both in church and looked forward to our brief chats and a reassuring smile and handshake from Paul. May the God of all comfort surround you and your family at this difficult time and give you peace.
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David & Elizabeth Eng My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
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Harold & Lorraine Webber We have enjoyed the the company of Paul, over the 30 years we have attended….he was always a willing helper with Frieda on her coffee days before the morning service. He always had a good word to share and would give me a very strong hand shake. I still remember when he cemented in our Time Capsule
at the front of our new church…he had such a big smile on his face. A willing worker. He also liked to talk about his gardens and fruit trees. Good memories.
Lorraine and I pray that God will be a comfort to Frieda and her family during this time of sorrow. It was unfortunate that we were not able to continue enjoying your fellowship over these past two years.
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Alice Peters Deepest Sympathy, Frieda.
May God comfort you and the family in His understanding way.
Dear Frieda and your family. This morning I watched the Beautiful memorial that you had for Paul yesterday. I’m watching in front of my fireplace and I can see Paul, music blaring placing every brick in this wall. He took such great pride in his work and I’ve enjoyed this part of my home for the last 45 years. My whole house was completely renovated but I wouldn’t let anyone touch the work that Paul did here My family also remembers all the great times that we had at duck Lake. Racing like crazy the long weekend In May to get there so we got our special place. We’ve camped there several times with our children and grandchildren in that special spot, fishing and sitting around the fire pit and talking about all the good times that we had with your family there. You guys caught so many fish I remember one of you had to take them home I’m between fishing cause you’d caught your limit. Those are memories that last forever. Paul was such a happy person and he made everyone around him feel good. You’re so lucky to have had him in your life. Its never long enough but the memories that you have will last forever. Thinking about you now and trusting that all these special memories will bring peace and comfort to you during these sad times. Love to you all from Herb Shirley Kevin Mark David and Joanne and all their families. Our kids all have great memories of times spent with Oma and Opa and all of you. They all learned the love of fishing from Paul.