WALTER KOWALSKY

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WALTER KOWALSKY 1919 - 2007 It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Walter at the Gimli Community Health Centre on June 10, 2007, with his family by his side. Walter will be lovingly missed by his wife of 57 years, Olga; his children, Sue and Walter (Norma); his grandchildren, Tyler, Riley and Dana Kowalsky; sister Florence Hallson; brother Edwin (Lillian) Kowalsky; numerous nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins and friends. Walter was predeceased by his father Peter (1976) and his mother Bessie (2003). Walter was born in Morweena on November 3, 1919 and spent his early years there helping his father on the farm, cutting cord wood and cutting pulp in Ontario. The Depression years left him with bad memories and he always made sure he bought only what he needed and wasted nothing. Walter and Olga married in 1950 and spent four years in Toronto, working at National Rubber. The work was hard and both of them longed for their prairie home. In the summers of 1957 to 1964, Walter was a fire ranger at the Beaver Creek Tower. In the winter of 1957, he joined a survey crew that worked mostly north of the 53rd parallel. In 1958-1959, Walter worked at the Riverton Hotel. In 1960, he once again joined the survey crew to define and mark the 60th parallel, which is the boundary between Manitoba and Northwest Territories. In 1965, he got the job of Highways Foreman at Riverton and did this job until he retired in 1987. After he retired, Walter cut lath and helped Edwin combine. In 1994, he had a stroke which slowed him down only for a bit. Before long, he was working again. Walter truly was an amazing and devoted husband. During Olga's illness, he was by her side day and night. He was a loving, kind, and generous father and grandfather. He was so proud that both his children and daughter-in-law chose to educate others. He loved his grandchildren so much and took special pride in their accomplishments. Many thanks to Dr. Unrah and staff at Health Sciences Centre (Wards A3, H6, SICU) and Dr. Patel and staff at the Gimli Community Health Centre. The family appreciates their support, kindness and patience. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the MacKenzie Funeral Chapel in Arborg with Pastor Trudy Thorarinson officiating. Interment to follow in the Morweena Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Tyler and Riley, granddaughter Dana, nephew David Kowalsky, nieces, Donna Shachtay and Shirley Kowalsky. In memory of Walter, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 6 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6, or Manitoba Lung Association, 629 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3A 1P6. Arborg (MacKenzie) Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 12, 2007