ROBERT MALAZDREWICH

Condolences & Memories (3 entries)

• I have known Bob for over fifty years and have always held him in high esteem. He was defiant but articulate, he could summarize a grievance or a contract with equal command of the situation. The only time I can remember him losing control of a situation was when he came fishing with me, Ed Blackman, and Clive Durham in Pointe du Bois. It was a beautiful sunny day when they arrived and we got in the boat and headed up the river. They were awed by the spectacular scenery on the way up the Winnipeg River. We fished in the sun and partial cloud and were rewarded with our limit by the end of the afternoon and then we looked to the west and saw the big thunderclouds rolling in and it was time to go. We made a run for Lamprey falls but before we got there the rain had begun. I was thankful to have received good guidance tips from my friend E.D. White on how to navigate the passage in the rain. The storm grew in intensity and we were pounding four foot rollers when we were forced to pull into a random island and seek shelter until conditions improved. We huddled together and spoke of good times. There came a glimpse of a break in the weather and we jumped back in the boat and fought our way back to the Pointe du Bois dock. we all carried the tale with us but it was seldom discussed except for knowing glances and little quips. There was a resilience to our group that we had survived this adventure and I am sure after this there was nothing that could intimidate Bob. Bob was a dapper dresser, when he wasn't waterlogged, and took great care of his personal appearance. He was a leader of men in no uncertain terms. With his guidance I learned to write my first grievances and I was schooled in the phrase " you have besmirched my dignity and impugned my reputation" . It's not that he sat in on many of my grievances or assisted me in the many CUPE Local 500 contracts that I participated in but it was his love of the debate that enamored me and brought the Irish to the surface which he delighted to direct when we went into meetings with management and he wanted them to know that somebody had his back. That was always to be. i wish Bob God Speed and peace for the rest of his eternity. The Brother from the Pointe, Norm Norris - Posted by: Norman Norris (Friend) on: May 14, 2026

• Bob and I grew up in Narol and have been friends forever. He was an usher at my wedding. Ellen and I always looked forward to seeing Bob and Susan here in Phoenix every year when they returned from their winter trip to Mexico. Rest in peace my good friend. Larry and Ellen Yakimovich - Posted by: Larry Yakimovich (friend and neighbour) on: Mar 08, 2026

• I first knew Bob through my dad working in the Winnipeg Waterworks Department; and through the meetings amalgamating all the individual bargaining units into CUPE local 500. Then when I became the president of the Parks unit of CUPE Bob was my staff rep. along with Clive helping me in many endeavours to achieve better working relationships with the City of Winnipeg. It was a great privilege knowing Robert and had the utmost respect for him. My heart felt condolences go out to the family; Larry McDonald. - Posted by: Larry McDonald (Friend and CUPE staff rep) on: Mar 07, 2026