In Memoriam ~ Peter Stachnyk RMT. 1931-2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Peter Stachnyk, at the age of 93, on July 22, 2024, at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg.

Peter was a founding member and the first president of the Massage Therapy Association of Manitoba (MTAM). He played a key role in those early years, forming the first professional massage therapy association in the province, and also making the first attempts at having the profession regulated. He very nearly achieved this goal when then-Minister of Health Larry Desjardins was prepared to proceed; however, the government was defeated in the election and the rest is history.

While working as a barber by trade, Peter took his early massage therapy training by correspondence. Remaining staunchly dedicated to his professional development throughout his career as an RMT, ongoing professional development became a key part of his vision for the massage therapy profession.

He served as President on several occasions through the formative years of the Association, and remained an active member of MTAM during his entire working career. On April 7, 2006, in recognition of his dedicated service and leadership, Peter was awarded an Honorary Life Membership.

On MTAM’s 40th Anniversary, in 2013, in response to some recent progress toward regulation, Peter noted — “It has been a long road that is finally appearing to be at an end with our latest application for recognition. Many in the profession have played an important role in this journey. While we were small in numbers in the early years our numbers cannot be ignored now.”

Years later, and as MTAM was about to celebrate its 50th Anniversary, Peter expressed disappointment that regulation had not yet come to pass; however, he was incredibly proud of how MTAM had grown to become a strong and vibrant professional community. He enjoyed attending both the Annual Awards Dinner and the Spring Conference whenever he was able to, and marveled at how the profession has progressed since its humble beginnings in the early 1970s.)

Manitoba RMTs owe much to Peter's vision and dedication to the massage therapy profession. We hope that his dream and hope for the profession to become regulated in Manitoba will come true soon as we continue his work.

Anyone who wishes is invited to share a condolence or memory at Free Press Passages - Peter Stachnyk.

On behalf of the Membership, the Board of Directors, and the Staff at MTAM, we offer our most sincere condolences to Peter’s family. We all miss him!