GEORGE FREDERICK LEWKO

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GEORGE FREDERICK LEWKO October 11, 1935 February 25, 2007 Family Man Entrepreneur Globetrotter George Lewko passed away on Sunday, February 25, 2007 at peace with himself and the Lord. He spent his last humour-filled few days at Concordia Hospital where he had the opportunity to say goodbye to all his family on his terms; and he made it easy on everyone to deal with his passing. George was predeceased by his mother Angela; father Peter; brothers, Cashmir and Eddie, and sister Rose. He leaves his family his wife Eleanor (Hindorff); daughter Caroline and son Tim (Ingrid); sister Anne Stebbe (Larry), and brothers, Hank (Gail) and Archie (Sherry), nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, as well as friends around the world who will remember him dearly. George was born in Beausejour, MB. He had a strong work ethic, a love of people from all walks of life and a curiosity to experience the world. Early on in life he displayed an entrepreneurial spirit that served him well in all his adventures. He embarked on his first travel adventure at age 16 to Alberta where he landed a job working on a ranch. From that launching pad he honed his work ethic and taste for adventure which allowed him to return to Manitoba and engage a second career in the Forestry. This venture afforded his first trip in an airplane mapping Northern Manitoba by bush plane and canoe connecting with all likes of travellers and strengthening his love of travel, people and exploration. George is very grateful to Joe Nespor for hiring him as a Forest Ranger in Lac du Bonnet and setting the stage for a very pivotal moment in his life meeting the love of his life, wife Eleanor Hindorff. They married in Eleanor's home town of Norquay, SK, and decided to settle in Lac du Bonnet a small town north east of Winnipeg. But as life and love of adventure would have it, the second pivotal moment in his career emerged in Lac du Bonnet. He was offered the opportunity to enter the sales arena and to traverse Canada as a promoter of granite making his way to the many picturesque towns serving his customers, refining his understanding of people and using humour as a tool to engage those he met. George owed this opportunity to the late Charlie Alexander who gave a young man with no formal experience in selling, but a love of people and a taste for life, the opportunity to sell granite. Initially, George started off selling monuments in Canada and honed his trade that enabled him to start his own business George Lewko Inc. which would pave the way for the next 35 years of his life. The decision at the time to start his own business was once again on the cutting edge of change. This risk taking nature was complimented by other required entrepreneurial traits of perseverance, ingenuity and making ends meet. One of his chance meetings with a competitor Vanni Lisanti of Italy - spawned a friendship and ignited him to sell granite at the next level - to customers of the world. He travelled to over 20 countries, across five continents to places such as China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Brazil, Egypt, Dubai, all parts of Europe, US, Chile, Saudi Arabia, and Italy. From a home basement office in Lac du Bonnet he initiated this global foray with great results that included selling a granite bathtub to King Faud of Saudi Arabia and the granite that adorns Commerce Court in downtown Toronto. One of his crowning achievements was selling the granite for Building 101 in Taipei, Taiwan today the tallest in the world. Despite his many global travels and achievements he was equally at home in Transcona where he resided for the past 22 years. George always appreciated the very simple things in life and ensured that the basics of family, friends and character filled the day. George touched many lives around the world whether it was his passion on the golf course where he sunk two holes in one, his active participation in church or the business arena. He will always be remembered as the man who always saw the glass half full, took the time to make everyone feel special and make others laugh. He was a generous man who helped many get ahead with jobs and businesses many times sacrificing his standing for the betterment of others. But for George, this was the way forward, assisting others along the way and making the world better one day at a time. Family was most important to George. He felt blessed to spend 43 years with his love Eleanor and was so proud of his children who carry on his legacy of entrepreneurship and the love of travel. During his last days he insisted on promoting their businesses even in the hospital: www.thinkingdimensions.ca and www.wipconnector.com. To celebrate and remember the life of George Lewko and those he touched, a Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the Sherwood Park Lutheran Church, in Winnipeg, MB followed by a short lunch and coffee. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sherwood Park Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 7 Tudor Cres., Winnipeg, MB, R2K 2A5 or CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermott, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9. SOBERING FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM, Beausejour 268-3510 or MB Toll Free 1-877-776-2220

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 27, 2007