GEORGE DENIS MATHEW SUMKA
“Bad decisions make good stories.”
Suddenly, on April 20, 2026, George Denis Mathew Sumka (aged 70) died in his cruise ship cabin holding hands with his loving wife Mary, after successfully completing one item off his bucket list by crossing through the Panama Canal.
Born the third son to Peter and Mary Sumka in Winnipeg, George was brother to six other boys Steven (Donna), Daniel, Albert (Shelley), Peter (Brenda), Paul (Darcy), Andrew and his one sister Kathy. George grew up in a tiny North-end house on Selkirk Avenue that was just big enough to contain the family and all the mischief he and his siblings caused (including smoking on the rooftop, sliding his brother down the stairs in a banana box, and throwing snowballs at passing police cars). Despite being a good, Ukrainian altar boy guided by his favourite priest (Father Isidore Dziadyk, OSBM and the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church), being kept busy labouring in the Sumka family’s market gardens, and playing violin, George’s antics and blatant disregard for authority would continue throughout his school years, adulthood, and well into his senior years. Oh Dad.
George’s first job outside of the family market garden business was working for Johannes Itzke as a laborer in St. Norbert at the Itzke Farms from 1972 until 1974. George put on a new hat in the fall of 1974 when he became a butcher for Canada Packers. Throughout his time at Canada Packers, George met his best-friend, Bob Lytwyn and the two terrorized the packing house with their shenanigans for years and built a relationship that lasted a lifetime and beyond – we know that the boys are up there together now and up to no good!
In 1976, George turned 21 and Mary Novak FINALLY agreed to marry him. To say that Mary was the love of George’s life is the understatement of the century. George’s favourite story for the past 50 years has been that of how he met an angel while he was recovering from surgery in his hospital bed at HSC. From that moment on, no other woman existed. To the day he died, George claimed that Mary was HIS angel sent from heaven and he cherished every minute they shared, for better or worse. They kissed each other good morning with every new day and kissed each other good night without fail. Whatever happened in between those kisses was always a surprise, and honestly George was right in calling Mary an angel. Together, the dynamic duo established and ran not one, but 2 family businesses (Sumka Brothers Enterprises & Sumka Brothers Greenhouses), all the while raising their two amazing children, Maryann Sumka & Peter Michael Sumka (Jennifer) and, eventually, their “adopted daughter” Kristin too, while Mary continued to work as a nurse at HSC.
Motivated by his Baba Pearl’s love for growing, George proudly founded Sumka Brothers Greenhouses in 1977 with the love and support of Mary and his brother(s) Paul and Peter. Together, from a small roaming sugar-shack, they built a Transcona destination renowned for its exceptional products, amazing staff, and family feel. For 47 years, George prided himself on being a simple flower farmer who wanted the greenhouses to be a sanctuary – a place with work for anybody who wanted to put in an honest effort, a “Disney World” for gardening enthusiasts, but mostly just HOME for anyone who wanted to feel like family. At times, George’s passion for perfection came across gruff and a bit too old-school, but those who took the time to listen and learn realized that George’s words were always delivered by his intense love for his work and his pride in the product delivered by his family.
When Dad wasn’t hard at work, he enjoyed the simple things in life. Dad loved a freshly cut lawn, a clean and bountiful vegetable garden, and just stopping to smell the flowers in his yard. Together, he and Mom fished the many lakes of Nopiming Park, Lake Manitoba, and their favourite, Wekusko Falls. And they finally started travelling!!! They fell in love with cruising together with a kickoff in the Caribbean, Alaska, and now The Panama Canal. Over the past few years, Dad became an expert pasta maker and started exploring his softer side with his grandchildren baking, crafting, wrangling chickens, and even golfing! No matter what Dad was busy doing, you knew that Molly would be right by his side (and we know there was a whole pack of doggos wagging their tails the moment Dad arrived at Heaven’s gates) and there would be a good song blaring for him to sing along to.
Dad was a master at the art of being present and a true man for others. Not everyone liked Dad, but everyone who truly knew him, LOVED him. There was never a time when family did not come first to Dad – be it his wife, his siblings, his children, his many nieces and nephews, his grandchildren, or anyone else Dad adopted as family – if anyone needed help, a hug, a beer, or just a conversation, Dad made sure he was always available and attentive. Dad hated texting and believed that everyone should just take the time to call. People were important and letting the ones you love know it only took a minute and three simple words. Dad’s love wasn’t always conventional, but if you didn’t mind his off-the wall delivery of lessons, he was always the safest place to break and a hug in his big arms could take every hurt away because he would lend you all the strength you needed in that moment.
It’s no secret that Dad LOVED kids. Dad greeted every child that came through the garden center doors with a big smile, a lollipop, and a “Hi, I’m George. What’s your name?” And while that wasn’t always well-received, Dad’s ginormous heart somehow grew even bigger with the birth of each one of his grandchildren: Zander, Cailey, Miller, Mia, Miley, Carter, and Ivy. Papa LIVED for his grandchildren. Papa made sure to show up to EVERY hockey game, concert, musical recital, and play that he was invited to. Everyone knew when Papa was in the rink because you could hear him cheering loud and proud with or without his train horn – whether he was cheering for the Niverville Clippers, the Winnipeg Bruins, the Spitfires, or his favourite girls on the Manitoba Junior Ice team. Papa stopped at nothing to make his love for his grandchildren known, including painting himself green so he could be the Incredible Hulk at a superhero birthday party and staying up all night giggling at the 20 screaming hockey girls for a birthday “sleepover”. Over the past two years Papa “adopted” more grandchildren and he loved the steady stream of activity and laughs that he shared with Marek and Jacob and Maddie. Family dinners around the table with his nephew Ryan and all his grandkids were the highlight of Papa’s week, followed by an intense game of crib, a fire, a movie, or just hitting some golf balls in the back yard.
The family would like to express sincere appreciation for Glen and Joanne Talbot and Glen Lawn Funeral Home for their efforts in assisting us in repatriating Papa and helping us bring him home.
A funeral for (Uncle) George/Dad/Papa will be held on May 30, 2026, at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church (737 Bannerman Avenue) at 3:00 p.m. for those who would like to pay their respects. An epic celebration of life will be held privately for the man, the myth, and the legend later this fall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you simply help someone in need, pay a favour forward, and always kiss your love goodnight.
Dad, I know I speak for all of us when I say that we were not ready for you to go. We were all sharing so much love and fun that every day was a new gift and a new adventure. It was a true honour to be your daughter, and I know I will not be alone in saying that I will miss you every day of my life.
Until we meet again (Uncle) George/Dad/Papa – go give Heaven some Hell!!!
Glen Lawn Funeral Home
204-982-7550
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 16, 2026