Ronald Starzyk

Ronald Joseph Starzyk died peacefully on November 26, 2021, at the Portage la Prairie Hospital due to Pneumonia/Covid complications.

Ronnie was born in Shoal Lake on April 7th, 1959, the youngest child of William & Mary (Dereniwski) Starzyk. At an early age due to medical issues, mom and dad realized he needed more help than they could provide. They placed him into the Manitoba Developmental Centre in Portage la Prairie where he could receive more education and training at his level. After a few years he was transferred to the Pelican Lake Training Centre in Ninette which he enjoyed. In 1998 due to medical issues, he returned to MDC where he remained. He resided at Elm Cottage and then Lawnside at MDC with his friends.

Before Dad’s passing, they would bring Ronnie home regularly to the farm. While home he loved his music, the Carter Family record was his favourite which he enjoyed singing along with. Mom had to watch her cookie jar because he was continually raiding it. He also enjoyed going through the Christmas Wish Book and any book on animals he could find.

Ronnie was predeceased by his father William (1987), Mother Mary (2013), sister Alice Presniak (2017), niece Roxanne Presniak (1998), brother-in-law Ed Berehulka (2013) and brother in-law LeRoy Ramsay (2016).

Surviving are sister Mabel Ramsay, brother Mervin (Cathy) Starzyk, brother in-law Mervin Presniak. Nephew Kelvin Berehulka, nieces Christina (Kevin) Steele, Suzanne (Dennis) Zemliak, Cynthia Staryzk, Kimberly (Kent) Devlin and seven great nieces and nephews.

Our family would like to thank the great staff at the Manitoba Developmental Centre for the care they gave Ronnie over the years. We also want to thank them for bringing Ronnie out to see mom when she no longer could visit him. He enjoyed the family lunches.