ANTHONY (TONY) KOLOMAYA

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ANTHONY (TONY) KOLOMAYA March 11, 1929 April 20, 2012 A garden sits unplanted, while an old cane hangs on the back of a kitchen door and a little dog lies quietly waiting for an old man to return. But sadly this will never be because on Friday morning, April 20, 2012, our husband, dad, papa and great-grandpa, Tony Kolomaya passed away peacefully at the age of 83 years after a brief battle with cancer. Dad was born on March 11, 1929, on the homestead in the east settlement in the Van Duesen School District near St. Martin. On July 10, 1954, Dad married the love of his life, Linda Zaiser and they resided in St. Martin where they raised their four children. Our dad is survived by his wife Linda, who was his companion and best friend for almost 60 years. Also left to cherish his memory are his children and their families; son Randy (Helga) and grandchildren, Heather (Dana), Jenna (Chad), Jared and Papa's special great-granddaughter Danika; daughter Bev (Rob) and granddaughters Julienne (Tyler) and Nico, step-grandsons James and Dave and Old Papa Tony's step great-granddaughter Leah; son Russell; daughter Sherry (Leo) and grandchildren Autumn and Cole; sister Jeanette Ewasiuk; sister-in-law Marion (Lloyd) Bonwick and nephew Walter Kolomaya who was like a brother to our dad; sister-in-law Laura (Al) Layfield; brother-in-law Norbert Zaiser, brother-in-law Gerald Zaiser; sister-in-law Hilda Zaiser; sister-in-law Paulette (Dave) Shoemaker, along with many special nieces and nephews who meant the world to our dad. Dad will also be greatly missed by his countless friends and coffee buddies. Dad was also very proud to be a godfather to Katie (Szklaruk) Wuerch and his nephew Scott Kolomaya. Dad is predeceased by his parents George and Pauline; brother John (Emily) Kolomaya; sister Christine (Harry) Pincura; sister Mary (Doug) Smith and niece Karen Smith; brother Sam Kolomaya, brother-in-law Pete Ewasiuk and his son-in-law Bob Hare. Our dad worked hard his whole life. He began farming with his father when he was 14 years old. At the age of 15, he worked with his father freighting fish from Dauphin River to Gypsumville with horse and caboose. At the age of 18, Dad started commercial fishing full-time and over the next 38 years fished on Lake Winnipeg, Lake St. Martin and Lake Manitoba as well as farming in the off season. In 1985, he started farming full-time. Dad was so proud of his family farm and to be working alongside his brothers in the early years and later with his two sons and nephew Scott. Dad retired in 2000, but continued to work and give orders and carry on duties up until a few short months ago. Dad's true passion was gardening and one garden was never enough, so he planted many gardens wherever he felt that the soil was rich and he would get the best results. He always competed with his sister Jeanette and his coffee shop buddies comparing the size of the tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and anything else he grew that he could show off. Dad always had at least two or three potatoes patches on the go at one time, everything in perfect straight rows and just the right width apart. Dad was a family man and was happiest when he was surrounded by his noisy, crazy, close knit family. He loved entertaining and always made sure everyone had enough to eat and drink when they came to visit. Dad was so proud of all his children and grandchildren and all their accomplishments. Our family would like to extend special thanks to Helen Webster and the homecare staff. We would also like to thank the staff of RR6 at the Health Sciences Centre rehab for the care they provided for our dad. Lastly, the remarkable care given by the staff at the Riverview Health Care Centre, Palliative Care 3 East Wing, who helped our family get through Dad's final days and we will always remember their kindness and compassion. A celebration of our dad's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at the St. Martin Community Hall. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service. Dad will be laid to rest in the Gypsumville Community Cemetery beside the tree on the hill where he always said he wanted to be. Following the interment, the family invites you to join them at the St. Martin Community Hall for lunch. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation Inc., 675 McDermot Ave., Room ON1160, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9 or to the Riverview Health Care Centre Foundation, Palliative Care Unit 3 E, One Morley Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3L 2P4. Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOME Ashern Lundar 1-204-768-2072 1-866-323-3593

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 23, 2012