KAZIMIERZ STANISLAW WOJTAS

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KAZIMIERZ STANISLAW WOJTAS With great sadness we announce the passing of a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. After a brief illness Kazimierz passed away on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at the Selkirk General Hospital. Remaining to forever cherish Kazimierz's memory are his wife Valentine; sons Marcus, Anthony; daughter Alexandra (Kevin Sanders); beloved grandsons Conall and Emmett; step-grandchildren Delia and Severin; two sisters, Wanda (Adam) Wielgat, Helena (Stanislaw) Walichnowski; sister-in-law Sylvia Wojtas; much loved nephews, George (Berna) Walichnowski, Andrew (Marlene) Walichnowski, Gerry Wielgat as well as his nieces Marianne (Ken) Staub, Cathy Wojtas and Eva (Steven) Barnes. He was predeceased by his mother Apolonia; father Jozef; brothers Stephan and Waclaw. Kazimierz was born in Hancewicze, Poland in 1931. His early childhood was disrupted by the loss of his mother and upon the annexation of Poland by Russia, being sent with his remaining family to a work camp in Siberia, U.S.S.R. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Kazimierz and his family were sent to several refugee camps in the Middle East. While in Palestine, he was accepted into the British Army Boys School, which later led him to join the British Army Infantry. While in the army Kazimierz apprenticed and became a vehicle mechanic. He served abroad in Korea, Cypress, Malta and Egypt. In 1958 Kazimierz immigrated to Canada to join his father, sisters and brother in Winnipeg. He soon gained employment as a diesel mechanic with Motorways Trucking. In the late 1960s he joined Manitoba Hydro as a diesel engine mechanic and became one of their most respected engine technicians. In the 1970s Kazimierz was promoted to a managerial position where he was responsible for Manitoba Hydro's Defensive Driver and Heavy Equipment Operators training programs. In 1971 he married and started a family. Kazimierz and his wife decided on a rural life where he could enjoy his hobbies of beekeeping and gardening. Upon his retirement he also tried his hand at farming. Kazimierz was a very gregarious person and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was a long time member of the Polish Gymnastics Association Sokol earning his Golden Eagle. His passions included singing with the Polish Sokol Folk Ensemble, fishing, hunting and in more recent years the Selkirk Duplicate Bridge Club. Kazimierz was a dedicated family man, loving husband and a generous father and grandfather as well as a very loyal friend. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 7, 2010 at 1:00 p.m., in Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church, 269 Jemima Street, Selkirk, Manitoba with Rev. Fr. Dado Parrenas, presiding. Interment will follow in the Parish Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Kazimierz's memory may be made to a charity of one's choice. You will be greatly missed by all the lives you touched.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 05, 2010