- Winnipeg Free Press Passages
- All Titles
Search:
Notices are posted by 10 am Monday through Saturday

JOSEPH SHEWARD
Born: Oct 12, 1923
Date of Passing: May 02, 2010
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryJOSEPH SHEWARD On Sunday May 2, 2010, Joe passed away at the age of 86. Dad was born on October 12,1923 in a small village in East Poland, 100 km from the Russian border. His parents owned a small farm and Dad was the eldest of three children. From the beginning his resilience and determination helped him persevere through many hardships. In December 1939, Dad's village was occupied and his family was sent to Siberia where they lived in a work camp until 1942, when he and his father left to join the Polish army. Over the next four years Dad was stationed in Iraq, Iran, Israel and Italy. When the war ended Dad immigrated to Canada. Even though he spoke limited English, he never let that deter him and he always found employment. At first, he lived and worked on a farm in Saskatchewan. Eventually he moved to Winnipeg, where he worked as a window installer for Indal Wall Systems from 1951 until he retired. In 1959 Dad married Mary Stefaniuk and had two children, Linda and Wally. Dad worked every day of his life. He and Mom were landlords owning a fourplex and a duplex on Winnipeg Avenue. Dad was a handyman, and there wasn't anything that he couldn't repair. He always had a creative solution for any problem he encountered, and most of the time, his solution involved caulking. In 1974, Dad built his cabin in Island Beach Beaconia, where he and mom spent every weekend and every summer fishing, snowmobiling and entertaining their neighbours. Mom died in 1985, and after his retirement in 1986, he moved out to his cabin where he lived yearlong. Dad loved living at the lake, nursing his trees and planting his garden. He had a lively mind and a mischievous nature, and his life was enriched by his five grandchildren. He looked forward to his grandchildren's visits and entertained them with dune buggy rides and fishing trips. For a short time Dad was a snowbird and travelled to Florida and Brownsville, Texas to escape the winter months. Over the past six years, Dad lived independently in his apartment on McGregor and looked forward to his daily home care visits. Dad will be remembered by his daughter Linda (Don); son Wally (Debra); grandchildren Ryan, Kristin, Daniel, Stephanie and Stephen. Dad will also be missed by his brother Mario in England as well as many other extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his wife Mary, and sister Sophie. We would like to thank the Seven Oaks home care staff for their kindness and gentleness and the emergency room staff at the Seven Oaks Hospital for their compassion. In memory of Joe, a donation may be made to a charity of your choice. Funeral service will be held on Friday, May 7, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave., with an interment and reception to follow. Dad, we loved you dearly and you will forever be in our hearts. Chapel Lawn 885-9715
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 06, 2010