PHILLIP (FELIX) SOKALSKI

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PHILLIP (FELIX) SOKALSKI 1922 - 2010 Phil Sokalski died peacefully at Seven Oaks Hospital on Sunday, May 16, 2010, aged 88 years. He was predeceased by his siblings: Rose Ranick, Nick Scott, Nellie Naglik and Lillian Wozny; and by his beloved wife Corinna. He is survived by his siblings: Joe Scott, Bernice Barnicki, Betty Mikulan and Stanley Scott; his sons Robert (Barb) and Raymond (Tracy); grandsons Rob, Jaden and Anton, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Born the seventh in a family of 11 children, Phil grew up in Point Douglas and attended Holy Ghost parochial school. As a youth he worked in a bakery, picked potatoes and sold newspapers in front of Eaton's to help support his Polish immigrant parents. During the Second World War, Phil served in the Royal Canadian Air Force and was stationed at numerous locations, including the Alaska Highway with U.S. troops, and in Yorkshire, England. Returning to Canada, he worked for the C.P.R, assembling grain cars. It was during this time that he met his Italian bride, Corinna. They would spend 49 eventful years socializing with friends and raising a family together. After the birth of their first child, Bob, Phil took on a job with City of Winnipeg Hydro and worked his way up to the position of Cableman's Helper. He spent many hours working in severe conditions, and remarked on the fact that he never once suffered a workplace injury or accident. He was also justifiably proud of his St. John's Ambulance certification. After the birth of their second son, Raymond, the family moved to the south end of Winnipeg, where Phil took pride in his sons' academic, athletic and musical accomplishments. Phil and Corinna enjoyed entertaining and socializing at the Polish Club and with his large extended family. Among his passions was his love of cooking. He also loved vacations at his sisters' cottages at Twin Lakes Beach and the car trips he planned for the family each summer, to explore various spots in Canada and the U.S. He loved his Blue Bombers, feeling all the thrill of their victories and all the agonies of their defeats, from the very beginning, when he was a kid during the Depression, right up to the present. In his retirement years, Phil took great joy in looking after his grandson Robbie. He also took time to travel with Corinna to her Italian homeland, to England and to Florida. He was a faithful and constant companion to Corinna as she struggled with Alzheimer's. Most recently, he looked forward to his Thursdays, lunching with daughter-in-law and loving caregiver Barb and her mother, Joyce, as well as his exercise sessions at Holy Family Nursing Home. Special thanks to all the caring staff at Seven Oaks Hospital. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 20 at 1:00 p.m. in the Coutu Funeral Chapel, 680 Archibald Street. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations may be made in Phil's memory to the Riverview Health Centre Foundation, 1 Morley Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3L 2P4 or to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 10-120 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2. The Coutu family in care of arrangements: E. J. COUTU CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald St. 253-5086

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 19, 2010