Photo: Glacier Media

A beloved PNE Fair legend has died at 88.

The PNE announced Bill Konyk’s passing in a press release Wednesday, which read in part: “It is with incredible sadness that the Pacific National Exhibition acknowledges the passing of one of our longest standing concessionaires and iconic members of our fair family, Bill Konyk, known across the Canadian fair industry as Hunky Bill.”

According to the release, Konyk passed away peacefully Aug. 13, surrounded by his family.

Hunky Bill had been a beloved member of the extended PNE family for 52 years, beginning, as legend has it, when the then Vancouver-based radio executive bet a friend $10 that he could get a booth at the PNE to sell his homemade Ukrainian style perogies.

As the story goes, Konyk showed up at the PNE administration office and spent an hour and a half convincing PNE management to give him a chance. Konyk got his booth, won his $10 and began a 52-year journey, during which time Hunky Bill has become one of the most iconic pitchmen and restaurateurs in Canadian history. 

Konyk was also famous for the infomercials he starred in to sell his own perogy makers. 

Hunky Bill’s is a family operated business spanning three generations. Konyk’s wife Kay and three sons Bill Jr., Clayton and Mark plan to continue his tradition of serving the best Ukrainian food in Vancouver.