JOHN KOSTELNYK

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JOHN KOSTELNYK February 22, 1919 - May 14, 2011 Peacefully, and with his family by his side, John passed away on May 14, 2011 at the age of 92 years. John is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Olga (nee Trochanowski); six children, Tom (Angele), Terry, Doloris (Ric), Peter (Tanice), Karen, June (Peter); 14 grandchildren, Richard (Janice), Jennifer (Craig), Justin (Claudia), Leonard, Richard (Bonnie), Alicia, Kyle, Aaron, Patti, Chloe, Graeme, Jacob, Johnathan, Nicholas; six great-grandchildren, Jasmine, Rhade, Axton, Jaxen, Liam, Mackenzie; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbours. John was born in Binczarowa, Poland. In 1939, while working as a mechanic, John was taken by the Russian army to serve as a driver in the Second World War. He spent time in a labour camp in Siberia, and by 1941 had joined the Polish army under British command, where he travelled extensively and served in Iraq, Palestine, Egypt, Africa and Italy. When the war ended, the army was sent to England to be demobilized and John chose to come to Canada, and St. Martin, to join his brother Ilya. He was finally able to contact his family to let them know he had survived the war, although he never saw his parents again. John met and married Olga in 1948 and soon had a young family. They spent their life on the farm, raising six children and being active in the community. John was very musical, and in his earlier years, played the violin in a band at many local dances and weddings with his Kostelnyk nephews and Halkowich cousins. In 2000, they relocated to a new home in Ashern where John made new friends at the Legion. John loved to play cards and enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren how to play cribbage and rummy. He looked forward to the senior card games at the Legion and the Pioneer Manor, as well as Sunday night bingo. We would like to thank Dr. S. Ramadan, as well as the nursing staff at the Lakeshore General Hospital in Ashern for their kindness and compassionate care during John's final days. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at the St. Martin Community Hall with Pastor Bill Watson officiating. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service at the hall. Service will conclude at the hall with cremation to follow and interment to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 200 - 310 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0S6 or to the Lakeshore Hospital Guild, Palliative Care Unit, in care of Julie Bergner, P.O. Box 721, Ashern, MB R0C 0E0. Vichnaya Pamyat Forever Remembered Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOME Ashern - Lundar 1-204-768-2072 1-866-323-3593

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 17, 2011