BERNARD (BERNIE) ALPHONSE GMITZYK

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BERNARD (BERNIE) ALPHONSE GMITZYK With family by his side, Bernie Gmitzyk passed away on July 22, 2011 at the Dr. Gendreau Personal Care Home in Ste. Rose, MB. His memory will be cherished by his wife Helen; her five children Christopher, Stephen, Michele (Roy), Eileen (Alvin), Theresa (Chris); grandchildren Jonathon, Andrew, Paul, Alyssa, Katherine, Madeline, Annika and Sydney; his sister Jean along with many nieces and nephews, friends and neighbours. Bernie was born in Poland in 1925 and moved to Canada in 1934 spending a few years in Saskatchewan before settling in Faulkner, MB where his family purchased land to build their farm. Bernie spent his life on the farm. He had a great love and respect of the land and the animals he raised there. He knew every inch of his property and turned it into a very successful ranching operation. He made a life and a home there and all who visited were welcomed like family. Although the main part of his business was cattle ranching, his heart really belonged to his Arabians that he raised for all of these years. He taught many of us kids how to ride and tend to them. To this day, there isn't a group of more spoiled horses for miles. On February 3, 1981, he was married to Helen and with that he acquired a rather large extended family with whom he took on a fatherly role. He made their home a home for all of us and when grandchildren came on the scene he was amazing with them. They will always hold memories of Papa Bernie close to their hearts. Many childhood memories have been carved out of our times together at the farm whether it was a holiday or a simple summer weekend spending it at Steep Rock Beach. Grandpa would always come and join us after his work was done. You could always see him coming because he was the only one on the beach wearing jeans and cowboy boots! Christmas memories were just as special with a sleigh ride into the woods with a campfire, singing and roasting hot dogs. Bernie loved to Polka and taught many of us his dance moves. He also was great on the violin. He would often play for us at Christmas and get everyone in the dancing mood! His was a life to be celebrated and our memories of him will make us smile and help us through the tough days ahead, missing him as we will. He had a great faith in God and is most certainly in a happy place enjoying the company of his parents, friends and family who have made the journey ahead of him. God Bless you Bernie. The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the staff at The Dr. Gendreau Personal Care Home in Ste Rose, MB. The care and attention given to Bernie in the last couple of months was extraordinary in every way and the compassion extended to the family was above and beyond. Thank you, thank you. We would also like to thank Dr. Rawoof for her special care to Bernie over the last year. Also many thanks to the home care ladies who looked after Bernie so well while he was still able to be in his home. Please join us to celebrate and honour the life of Bernie on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at The Holy Cross Catholic Church in Ashern, MB with Father Paul Bisson officiating. Interment to follow in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. The family invites you to join them for lunch to be served at the Ashern Legion Hall following the service. Honorary pallbearers will be Alvin Atkins, Chris Helgason, Roy Mackin, Jonathon Mackin, Andrew Mackin, Paul Stanley, John Sander, Chris Dawson, Wallace Hickman and Walter Kolodka. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 6 Donald St. Suite 200, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6. Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOME Ashern - Lundar 1-204-768-2072 1-866-323-3593

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 25, 2011