NICHOLAS GRABOSKI

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NICHOLAS GRABOSKI April 4, 1931 April 20, 2011 It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Nicholas Graboski. Nick, age 80, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Wednesday April 20, 2011 at the Dryden Hospital. Nick is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Thelma, sons Robert, William (Lynne), and daughter Linda Lefave (Ken), grand-children, Nicholas, Adam, Alex, Christopher and Callie, siblings Alex, Frances, Rose and Donny, numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Nicholas Graboski was born April 4, 1931 in Gimli, Manitoba. He was the son of Michael and Catherine. Nick married Thelma Johnson in 1954 and moved his city girl to Dryden in 1956. He was first employed by the Dryden Paper Mill, later moving to the Woodlands Division, taking the position as time keeper. During these years he developed friendships that would last a lifetime. Nick and his co-workers enjoyed sharing the stories of their outdoor adventures. Nick retired in July, 1991 with a farewell helicopter ride over the region. He loved this part of the country and was so proud to have two lakes named after him and his first born grandson, the lakes being Big Nick and Little Nick . Nick was a devoted father who attended and supported all sporting and school events. He and Thelma ran the Dryden Badminton Club for many years. Nick was a talented badminton player and passed his talent onto his children and grandchildren. Nick loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping and blueberry picking with family and friends were some of his favourite pastimes. Nick loved growing tomatoes and took great pride in his plants. Nick always looked forward to spring as this meant it would soon be time for the annual May long weekend fishing trip out to Bear Narrows. Here he was joined by family and friends. Years later the weekend was moved to Edward Lake where Nick and Thelma had their camp. Nick built two cabins on Edward Lake and considered them a dream come true . Out there he was surrounded by red and white pines, cedars, lady slippers, ducks and loons, to him all the beauties of nature. His hammock was set up between trees along the shoreline. Here he enjoyed the serenity of Edward Lake. Nick always travelled on foot. He would walk to work in the morning, go back and forth for lunch, and walk home again after work. He would look forward to his first robin sighting each spring. Nick was very habitual with meal times. He would always show up at the table at specific times, those being 7:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., heaven forbid Thelma be late! Nick was so very proud of his five grand-children. They meant the world to him. Gave him the opportunity to spoil them and that he did. He loved to walk them down the beach at Blue Lake and treat them at the Blue Lake corner store . He fooled us for a while by having us believe he was doing this for the grandchildren, later to figure out it was for the attention he would receive from all the women on the beach along the way! Family pets included Sandy who was his companion for 20 years. Later he enjoyed the companionship of his two so called boys, Scamp and Chucky . He truly loved these little guys and was often found sneaking them treats. Nick will be remembered for the love he had for his family. Our love for Nick will remain in our hearts forever as beautiful memories that will keep this love alive. Our family extends our heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Dryden Regional Health Centre and Comcare Health Services. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service in Nick's honour was held Saturday, April 30, 2011 in the Moffat Chapel of the Stevens Funeral Homes with Father Alan Campeau officiating. Nick's dear friend Sid Wintle delivered the eulogy. Many thanks to Bob Stevens and staff. If friends desire donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association or the DRHC Foundation may be made through the Stevens Funeral Home, P.O. Box 412 Dryden, ON P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be emailed to sympathycard@shaw.ca subject: Graboski

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 30, 2011