JOHN WARYWODA

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JOHN WARYWODA March 27, 1913 - January 15, 2008 94 Years! Peacefully on January 15, 2008, at Seven Oaks Hospital, Dad (Gijoe/Grandpa) closed his eyes to at last meet his wife Lillian (Baba) and enter into eternal rest. Dad will be lovingly and gratefully remembered by his children, son Ed Warywoda (Roz) of Honolulu, Hawaii; daughter MaryJane Bezdzietny (Stan) of Cooks Creek and son-in-law Gerald Gale of Winnipeg. His grandchildren, Kelly Bezdzietny (Wanda) of North Bend, Washington; Jodie Bezdzietny of Winnipeg and Belinda Herner (Gregg) of Winnipeg. Special friend, Barb Stankewich of Honolulu, Hawaii. Dad is also survived by his sister Minnie Barski (Charlie), brother Steve Warywoda (Frances) plus many nieces and nephews, their spouses and children. Dad was predeceased by his wife Lillian on May 9, 1973; his daughter Shirley Ann Gale on May 27, 2006; by parents Wasyl and Palagia Warywoda; sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary Prokop (John), Pearl Yanchuk (John), Ann Sichello (Steve) and brothers and sisters-in-law Mike (Frances), Fred (Annie) and George Warywoda. Dad was born March 27, 1913, in Eastdale where he was raised. All of Dad's brothers were born in the month of March. Dad had a variety of trades. He cut, hauled and sold cordwood, he hauled gravel for the RM of Springfield, he and Mom owned a grocery store in Eastdale and he also worked for Frasers Gravel Pit. He was a parishioner of St. Peter and Paul Parish in Eastdale. In the early 1970s Mom and Dad moved to Winnipeg and then Dad moved to Kildonan Horizons in 1977, residing there for 27 years. He became a parishioner of Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Parish and was faithful to his Parish. Dad loved to socialize and was involved in the Social Committee at Kildonan Horizons for 20 years. With his bright smile if it was morning, afternoon or evening, he would say to you, Mornin', Mornin.' As well, he enjoyed the bus tours throughout Manitoba and loved to bowl in his league at the Billy Mosienko Lanes from 1993-1996. He loved going to bingo with his friend Mary Malbranck and he enjoyed been involved with the game of dice with his friends at Kildonan Horizons. Dad did some traveling in his time. He enjoyed going to Shooting Star, which he went countless times. As well, he went to Vancouver Island, Florida, and to Honolulu, Hawaii over 20 times. Dad loved to talk about the olden days. He would talk about walking to meet mom in Cooks Creek from Eastdale, about his home-brew days, about the barn dances they had and about the three-day weddings. In earlier years, he loved mushroom picking with his children in Birds Hill Park and the picnics we would have afterwards. Dad enjoyed being with his children and grandchildren. He was proud of us all. Dad was a resident of The Maples Personal Care Home in Winnipeg since November of 2004. Dad would say they take good care of me here and would often hum a tune Do da da, Do da da.. which inevitably others would join. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at the Maples Personal Care Home. You are all outstanding. We thank you all for the excellent care Dad has received. As well, thank you to the staff on the 5th floor Unit 5 of Seven Oaks Hospital who cared for Dad in his last hours and showed our family such compassion. We would also like to thank Mary Malbranck for all that she has done for our dad over the years. You are a special person. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 19 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church, Watt Street and Munroe Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, with Very Rev. Richard Soo, S. J. officiating. Interment in Pine Ridge Cemetery in Birds Hill Park. Pallbearers will be Dad's grandchildren, Kelly Bezdzietny, Jodie Bezdzietny, Belinda Herner, sons-in-laws, Stanley Bezdzietny, Gerald Gale and nephew Paul Warywoda. John was a kind and gentle man. He was a great father, Gijoe/Grandpa and friend. He lived a good life. Dad, when you enter the Pearly Gates to Heaven, Mom and Shirley Ann will be there to greet you, and the first thing Mom is going to say to you is HOW many times did you go to Hawaii? . Thank you for the years you gave us and for the happy times we shared. We know that when you left us, you knew how much we loved and cared for you. You are united with Mom and your daughters now, we are happy for you. We will miss you Dad, but when we finish our life's journey, we know you and Mom will be there to greet us and say Welcome Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dad's memory to: Sunshine Fund in care of Maples Personal Care Home, 500 Mandalay Drive, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2P 1V4. Rest in Peace, Dad, Gijoe, Grandpa VICHNAYA PAM'YAT CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL (204) 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 18, 2008