TOM SLOBOGIAN

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TOM SLOBOGIAN Tom Slobogian returned home to the Lord on October 2, 2005 after a hard battle with lymphoma. He was born in St. Martin, MB on July 24, 1927 and spent most of his life there on the small family farm. As a young man, he worked in construction, roadwork and commercial fishing. After his father's death, he worked alone on the farm. He married Joyce Pelican in 1968 and the couple had three children. To provide better support for his family, Tom started working at Canadian Forces Gypsumville, a part of the Pinetree Line. When the decision was made to close the base, he accepted a transfer to the Transport Section of Canadian Forces Base Shilo, where he worked until his retirement. He was a man of deep faith, always searching for God's presence and trusting in His word. Tom loved his family with all his heart, his children were his treasure and he tried always to be helpful to anybody in need. Although no longer a working farmer, he was a farmer at heart to the end, always checking the weather forecast and keeping an eye on the fields along the way to Brandon. When his friend Alec visited him in the hospital when he was very weak and could barely talk, he asked, How are the crops? He enjoyed gardening and, until recently, grew a big vegetable garden every summer. Tom loved to watch the hummingbirds flocking to the feeder he hung outside the living room window. He loved all animals and never sent away stray cats unfed, despite his wife's apprehension at the continuous stream of feline guests in the yard. Tom was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Mary; his brothers, Peter, Bill and Alec; and his sisters, Beth and Rose. He is deeply mourned by his wife Joyce of Sprucewoods, MB; his children, Lynn, Gail and Keith of Brandon; sisters, Eileen Bell and Marj Hockley of Winnipeg; sister-in-law Olga Slobogian of Winnipeg; as well as many nieces and nephews all over Canada. His friends will miss his cheerful face at the local coffee shop. The family wishes to thank Dr. Maksymiuk, Dr. Moller and Dr. Lindsay, as well as Brenda, Karen, Margaret and Kim at Chemotherapy in the Brandon Regional Health Centre for their help in Tom's battle against cancer. We also want to express our thanks to the wonderful nurses at the Assiniboine Centre for their excellent care and compassionate concern. Special thanks to Fr. Swarek and Padre Ohs for spiritual care and support. Many thanks to our friends and neighbours, who helped during Tom's illness, visited him in hospital and provided support to Joyce at the time of Tom's death, especially Jack Rody, Gerald Clark, Jocelyne Goumans, Joyce Jones and Mary and Alec Szklaruk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Shilo Roman Catholic Chapel, CFB Shilo, on Friday, October 7 at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Arek Skwarek as Celebrant. The family will take Tom's ashes home to St. Martin at a later time. That is the place which was always closest to his heart. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations in his memory may be made to The Marquis Project, 707 Rosser Ave., Brandon, MB R7A 0K8. Dearest Tommy, may the angels lead you into paradise. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com. Arrangements are in care of Brockie Donovan, Brandon, (204) 727-0694.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 05, 2005