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WILLIAM (BILL) MASLANKO
Born: Jan 28, 1933
Date of Passing: May 01, 2020
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WILLIAM (BILL) MASLANKO
January 28, 1933 - May 1, 2020
Bill was predeceased by our mother, his wife Margaret Maslanko (Fraser) on June 11, 2017. Bill and Marg had a 70-year long love story that started when they were just 13 years old; when they met at a dance in East Kildonan. They married 11 years later and had four children in their amazing 60 years of marriage and family life together.
Predeceased by his father Hryhory (Harry) and mother Maria, sisters, Stella Maslanko and Pauline Leonhard, brothers, Walter and Bohdan (Buddy) Maslanko, niece Sharon Leonhard. sisters-in-law, Betty Ambrose and Eva Chapman, and brother-in-law Don Fraser.
Bill is survived by his daughters, Daryl (Brian, Brian's mother Ruth) - Winnipeg, Janice Maslanko - Vancouver, and Barbara Maslanko (Dennis Gibson) - Kitchener, ON; and his son Ron Maslanko - Winnipeg. Bill also leaves his granddaughters, Carrie Dunlop (Trevor Breckman), Kristine Dunlop (Jon Kaschyshyn), Maggie Gibson, Olivia Gibson, and great-granddaughter Grace. Although they never met, Bill was looking forward to the birth of his great-grandson Owen; born this week on May 11, 2020. Bill is also still survived by many nieces and nephews on both his and Margaret's side of the family.
Bill lived his whole life in Winnipeg as a proud resident of Transcona; only leaving to play hockey across Canada, the US, and Europe.
Bill's hard work and dedication, whether in sports or his career, was an example and legacy he has left for his family, co-workers and close friends.
Our dad enjoyed playing baseball, hockey, golf and many other sports, but it was his love for hockey where he made his mark. Bill played Right Wing and wore #13 his whole hockey career. Bill payed amateur hockey for the Victoria Cubs - Divisional Finalists 1946-1947 and as Captain of the 1949-1950 Winnipeg Canadians - Manitoba Juvenile Championship and Western Canadian Juvenile Championship teams. Bill also played for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the M.J.H.L. from 1950 to 1953, the Yorkton Terriers of the S.S.H.L., and the Kelowna Packers of the O.S.H.L. from 1953 to 1954. In 1954 Bill was signed to play professionally for the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Nottingham Panthers of the British National League. Bill went on to star in the British National League with the Panthers winning the 1954 English National Championship. Returning to Winnipeg, Bill finished his hockey career with the Winnipeg Drewrys. Our dad received numerous athletic awards during his sporting and hockey career; most notably the McKenzie Trophy, the McDiarmid Shield, and the Edmonton Journal Trophy.
After retiring from professional hockey and literally hanging up the skates. He developed the new passion for sales and worked 38 years for Drewry's, Carling O'Keefe, Fosters, and Molson's Coors Brewing Company until he retired at 54. Our dad cherished the many professional and personal affiliations he had in the liquor industry namely - Seagrams, Rothmans, and Hiram Walker. He always said the "business" as we knew it was a wonderful life. Bill was a proud member of the Transcona Golf Club "Sheika" and Pine Ridge Golf and Country Club.
After retirement Bill and Marg had a passion for travelling and wintering in Hawaii, Texas, Australia, Cuba, Arizona, and Nevada. Their favourite places remained the Foster Towers on Waikiki and their cottage at Lakeshore Heights. Dad had many loves in his life: his family, his in-laws, Betty, Eva, Don, Ray and Elizabeth and their families, and his German Shepherd - Mabel Black Label, Basset Hound - Elizabeth, Lhasa Apso - Blossom, and beloved Tabby Cat - Alex.
The family would like to thank Dr. Dennis Caners, Dr. Bruce Rosner, and Dr. Greg Maxim for the many decades of care and friendship they gave our dad. We would also like to thank all the caring professionals at Concordia Hospital, St. Boniface Hospital, and Drake Medox Health Services.
Bill was cremated by Transcona Funeral Home and interred with our mom, his wife Margaret in their Brookside Cemetery plot, and there will be no public service.
During these last month(s) our dad's thoughts were with his friends and acquaintances in the hotel and hospitality industry who had to close to keep everyone safe. As we slowly open, please celebrate our father by returning, when it is safe to do so, to your favourite establishments and have a drink to him and his amazing life.
Dad loved to talk with everyone and wanted to leave these last few words:
"And now, that the end has come, And now, that I have faced the final curtain, My friends, my family, I lived a life that was full, I travelled, was loved, And I loved you all, But more, I did it my way." Bill
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 16, 2020
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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Condolences to Bill’s family. Happy memories of summer at the lake. Your dad and mom were great fun whether chatting on the road or swimming down at the beach. They were kind and thoughtful neighbours to my parents Ida and Charlie Pearson next door. Bill always had something to say that was cheerful and fun. I’m sure your families have many wonderful memories of your dad and your mom. Sincerest sympathies to all of you Viney Martin and family. - Posted by: Viney Martin ( Friend from Lakeshore Heights ) on: Jun 07, 2020
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Bill and Margaret were wonderful people. We met them in 1995 in Tucson, Az and discovered they were from Winnipeg and owned a cottage near ours in Grand Marais area. We hold previous memories of Bill and Margaret. They were fun loving and both loved life, people and their family. We hold precious memories of them. Thankful, they had been a big part of their lives. Praying too meet them one day again! - Posted by: Joy & Gordon Wright (Friends) on: May 17, 2020
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Remembering Bill from our baseball days. Thinking about his family and knowing they would have many wonderful memories of a wonderful person! - Posted by: Pat and Cliff Pachal (Friends from baseball days) on: May 17, 2020
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On behalf of Walter Devodder and family we would like to express our deepest sympathies to Bill's family. He was a great neighbour. - Posted by: Marjorie Koskie (Neighbour) on: May 16, 2020
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My condolences to all the family. I met Bill and Margaret through my father Walter(Sr.) who worked with Bill as a salesman for Carlings for many years back in the day. Even going back to the Caterer's Picnic Days we attended as a family. On Saturday mornings when we were kids, my brother Fred, sister Maryann and myself would bowl at Mosienko's. My father would drop us off and head off to the board room at Carlings to have a few refreshments with the boys. We would meet up in that boardroom after bowling was done. Bill was one of those Boys. Many many years later, I would talk to Bill and Marge many times when they would do their walk to the channel and back on the beautiful sand at Grand Beach in the summers, or when they attended the many annual fall suppers at Grand Marais Rec Hall. They never forgot me or my siblings. My heart goes out to all of you. - Posted by: Walter Mazepa Jr. (Friend) on: May 16, 2020