WILLIAM GAWICK (GAWIUK)

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WILLIAM GAWICK (GAWIUK) William Gawick (Gawiuk) passed away peacefully at St. Boniface Hospital after a brief illness on Tuesday, November 10, 2009. Bill was born to Fred and Katie in Newdale, Manitoba on December 25, 1923 and grew up on a farm just outside of Elphinstone with nine siblings (predeceased by brothers John, Michael, Nick, Peter, Steve and Paul and sister Mary). Surviving brother Metro lives in Winnipeg and sister Olga lives in Shoal Lake. The needs of the farm and difficult living conditions of the Great Depression limited the education that Bill received as a young man, but he augmented this with a course at the Manitoba Institute of Technology and always placed the highest priority in his children going to university and obtaining their degrees. He signed up for service with the army as a young man during the war, then spent time farming and working at various jobs before moving to Winnipeg in 1955, where he worked for Winnipeg Transit for 32 years. He was always a very hard and dedicated worker and held a second full time job for 17 years as co-owner of a transportation service for handicapped persons. Bill enjoyed tinkering in his garage and around his yard, fishing with friends and family, watching sporting events (especially NASCAR racing) on TV and he was an avid golfer and painter of outdoor scenes for many years. He stayed active at yard work and loved to spend time learning and exploring on his computer up to his final days. He was especially talented as a handyman around the house and was the caretaker of his church's auditorium for many years in his retirement. His sunny and kind disposition and philosophy of live and let live made him loved by all who knew him. He was truly a content man. Bill is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Martha; his children, Brian (wife Faye and their children Chris and Katie); Don (wife Andrea and their children Ryan, Kristi and Sara); and Joan (Sister Bohdana). Prayers will be sung 4:00 p.m., Friday, November 13 (today) at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 390 Marion Street (where he and Martha have been members since 1957). Viewing will follow until 5:30 p.m. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 14 also at the Church with Rev. Fr. P. Chorney officiating. Interment will follow at Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens. VICHNAYA PAMYAT KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 13, 2009