Michael Zaplitny

It is with great sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Michael Zaplitny on June 28, 2026 at Clover House in Swift Current, SK, after a battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Michael was born on August 21, 1953, in Dauphin, Manitoba, the baby of the family. His father, Fred Zaplitny, served as a federal member of Parliament, and Michael lived for a short time in Ottawa when he was very young. He graduated from Brandon University in 1974 and married his first love Susan the same year. They would go on to have two daughters, Jennifer and Karen, as the family moved “town to town, up and down the dial” for Michael’s radio career, with stops in Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary, and finally Regina again. 

Radio was the soundtrack of his life and his love for the music and the medium infused his whole career. From stories of being a “roadie” for “Tuesday Zeke”, his university buddies’ band, to always having a song to send to match a photo you shared, Michael spoke the language of music fluently. He was witty, funny, creative, kind and generous as a family member and as a friend; creative, charismatic and inspiring as a leader and manager; and many of Michael’s friends became exactly like family. 

A natural connector, he loved nothing more than to recommend two people to each other and was always happy when they worked together. A builder of community, he led teams throughout his career who still care and connect with each other today. He was awarded the Canada 125 medal at Government House in 1992, given to “citizens who had made significant contributions to their community and to Canada,” and served as the President of the Regina Chamber of Commerce while still at Rawlco Radio. He also served on the board of the Western Association of Broadcasters, and later in life, on the Employment Insurance Canada Board of Appeal.

Susan’s sudden passing in 2006 marked a difficult chapter. He carried on with quiet strength, but life is sweetest when it is shared, and he was fortunate to find love and joy again when he met his loving wife, Michelle, and her children, Teagan and Adam.

Through marriage, Michael was healed from being a lifetime Bomber fan and he and Michelle held season tickets to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, gleefully or sadly reporting the outcome of games as the fortunes of the team rose and fell. They were lucky enough to attend 6 Grey Cup games throughout Canada, and also travel to Maui; Arizona; Las Vegas and even Cleveland, Ohio!  Upon retirement, they moved to Victoria, BC for 4 years only deciding to move back to Saskatchewan when Michelle’s elderly father became a widower.

A devoted “Grampa Mike,” he always remembered birthdays and special occasions and there seemed to always be a “couple of loons”, or more, available when they were nearby. He cared for animal friends for almost all of his days, including Bullitt, Rusty, Merlin, Emerald and Lucille.

Michael is survived by his loving wife, Michelle (Kobitz), daughters Jennifer (Andrew), Karen (Phillip), stepdaughter Teagan (Chance), stepson Adam, and grandchildren Anderson, Alec, Jasper, Everett, Caitlyn and Scarlett; sister Gail White, sister-in-law Bev Zaplitny, brother John (Linda), brother-in-law Mark Kobitz, and numerous other extended family members across western Canada. Michael was predeceased by parents Frederick and Elizabeth Zaplitny (nee Koshey); brother Rick Zaplitny, brother-in-law Gerry White, wife Susan Zaplitny (nee de Roos), and fathers-and-mothers-in-law Bob and Lorraine Kobitz and John and Doris de Roos.

A celebration of life is planned for later this year.

If friends wish to do so, a donation in support of The Canadian Lung Association or your local animal shelter would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.

On Saturday, June 13, 2026, a devastating fire occurred at the Ukrainian National Federation (UNF) hall located at 1737 St. John Street in Regina.  Both Michael and Michelle were of Ukrainian descent and they attended many Ukrainian fundraising suppers at the hall. One of Michael’s last wishes was that a donation be made towards rebuilding this hall.

To contribute to their restoration fund directly:

1.  Visit https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-unf-foundation/

2.  Ensure you select the UNF Regina Branch Restoration Fund when making your donation.

“And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”

            ~ The Beatles

Arrangements entrusted to Warren’s Funeral Home.  For further information please call 1-306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606, or visit the website www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members on the tribute wall.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Zaplitny, please visit our floral store.