JOHN DODICK

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JOHN DODICK John died peacefully at home on February 27, 2007 under the loving care of Doreen, his wife of almost 55 years, who helped him battle cancer over the past eleven months. John lived a remarkable life, and he built a lasting legacy through hard work, dedication to family, a passion for learning, and concern for people less fortunate. Raised on a small farm outside Elma, Manitoba, John's extraordinary work ethic began early. He left school after grade eight to work the family farm with a horse and plow. In the winters, he spent weeks away at a bush camp, cutting trees and hauling them several miles to the nearest railhead. When he was 23, John started with the CN Railroad, where he worked until he retired in November 1983. He was a conductor, occasionally on passenger trains, but most often on freight trains travelling east to places like Sioux Lookout and Rainy River. An energetic, independent, and industrious man, John was working even when he wasn't at work. He did his own painting, plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work around the house. He planted and maintained an abundant garden in his back yard. He laid cement for the driveway and sidewalk. He serviced the family's cars. He built and maintained the family's cottage at Black's Point, and later at Hecla Island. He cut, split, and stacked countless cords of wood at the cottage. He helped his three daughters move into their own homes, and pitched in with maintenance work and renovations on those houses. And when his Moore Avenue neighbours were sick or away, he often cut their grass, shovelled their snow, and gave them comfort that things were looked after. But John did not live to work; he worked to live. And what he lived for most was his family. He married Doreen Oehlerking in 1952, and they were inseparable for the next 55 years. They raised their three girls in St. Vital; participated actively in the New Democratic Party; enjoyed cottage life at Black's Point and Hecla Island; and over the years travelled together to far away places like the Ukraine, England, Scotland, Italy, Cuba, Venezuela, and Mexico. They fell in love with golf in their retirement, and spent 18 winters in Palm Springs, where they golfed most days on a course ringed with red rock mountains their reward for a life well-lived with hard work, sacrifice, and careful planning. In a touching tribute to his love for Doreen, John emerged from his bedroom on February 17, dressed and shaved, and then - weak from cancer and stooped over his cane made his way to the living room to join his family in celebrating Doreen's 75th birthday. It was one of the last times he got out of bed on his own. John's three daughters Corinne, Lorraine, and Darlene brought him immense pride and satisfaction. With his support and encouragement, they obtained post-secondary degrees, pursued careers, and had families of their own. With warmth and good humour, John treated his sons-in-law Greg Backhouse, Rolly Vermette, and John Reid-Dodick like sons and established family traditions that brought everyone together year after year for Christmas and New Years, no matter how far they had to travel to get there. John derived a special kind of joy from his five grandchildren, Paul, Kristi, Cassie, Jorie, and Cody. As is often the case with modern and mobile families, John found his grandchildren dispersed over the years in various places like Flin Flon, Morden, Peterborough, Vancouver, New York, New Jersey, and England. But never one to let distance get in the way of closeness, John would go on the road with Doreen to help in the days just after a grandchild was born; to celebrate birthdays; to cheer from the sidelines at hockey and soccer games; to watch piano, guitar, and dance recitals; to fish Northern lakes; to honour graduations; to marvel at the wonders of ancient Rome; and to spend lazy days talking, laughing, listening, and giving advice. Whenever possible, his grandchildren would come to him to the house on Moore Avenue, to the cottage at Black's Point or at Hecla Island, or to Palm Springs. And when John's grandchildren weren't physically present, they smiled out at him from all the stages of their childhoods in dozens and dozens of pictures displayed with love and pride in every place where he spent his days. John's love of family included his extended family. Throughout his life, John remained close with his sister, Anne Neydly, and brother, Nick Dodick, as well as with Doreen's siblings, Earl Oehlerking, Alvin Oehlerking, Harold Oehlerking, Barbara Devaney, and Marvin Oehlerking. And through the time he spent with his extended family, he earned the respect and admiration of his many nieces and nephews. John was a voracious reader and continued to learn throughout his life. He read the Winnipeg Free Press cover-to-cover every day; subscribed to several magazines; read countless books on politics, political biography, international relations, and history; and was an avid follower of television and radio news, particularly from the CBC. With his deep knowledge and understanding buttressing his strong opinions, he could hold his own in any discussion. John's fellow CN workers used to say that he should have carried a soap box with him on the road because he so often spoke his mind about political and union matters. John had real compassion for the little guy and the working man, phrases he used often to honor the fundamental goodness of people who laboured hard to support their families, give back to their communities, and build a more secure future for themselves. Believing that the government and labour unions were the path to a better and more just society, John was active in progressive politics through much of his life. Along with Doreen and friends in St. Vital, he helped found the New Democratic Party organization for the Riel Constituency in the early 1970s, and served as its President from 1973 through 1975. In the mid-1970s, he became one of two Riel representatives on the NDP's Provincial Council, a policy making group of constituency representatives that met to make recommendations to the NDP executive. He represented Manitoba as a delegate at several national NDP conventions, including the 1971 convention in Ottawa when David Lewis succeeded Tommy Douglas as federal leader of the NDP. He worked to get out the vote for NDP candidates in numerous federal and provincial elections, with the most satisfying victory coming with Doreen's election as MLA for Riel when Howard Pawley's government came to power in 1981. During her time in the Legislature, John was Doreen's closest confidant and advisor. Given his life-long advocacy for government-supported medical care, it is fitting that John received such compassionate and skilled care during his final illness from Dr. Maxwell and the Oncology Team at the Victoria General Hospital and from the Manitoba Palliative Care Program, which allowed him to live out his final days at home surrounded by family. John had a wry and playful sense of humour, and as he aged his face took on the shape of his laugh lines, so much so that he seemed to smile with his entire body. That smile, and the glint in his eyes as he shared a joke, will stay with us always. Respecting John's wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service and reception will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2007 at 12:30 p.m. at Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodiere Boulevard, Winnipeg, Manitoba. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Jocelyn House, 177 Egerton Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2M 2W7. Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN LAWN FUNERAL HOME 455 LAGIMODIERE BOULEVARD 982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 01, 2007