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CZESLAW (CHET) BRONISLAW TOMSZAK
Born: Apr 16, 1954
Date of Passing: Jul 24, 2020
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CZESLAW (CHET) BRONISLAW TOMSZAK
Czeslaw was born on April 16, 1954, in Winnipeg, MB. He grew up in a loving home on McMillan Avenue and went to La Verendrye, followed by Earl Grey and Kelvin High. He then went on to graduate from the University of Manitoba in 1976 with a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry. His early work life took him through many parts of western Canada, including Vancouver and Lethbridge, before he settled in Calgary in 1983. Czeslaw was a hard worker who enjoyed getting his hands dirty and found his primary career path as an oilfield chemist with Gulf Canada. He was very happy to mentor and teach countless other fellow scientists along the way. While residing in the neighbourhood of Oakridge, he proudly welcomed his two sons, Andrzej and Alain. In 1998, now working for Fracmaster, Czeslaw accepted a transfer which led him to his last home in Grande Prairie. In 2018, Czeslaw officially retired and had a well-deserved beer or two. He loved his new-found time at the golf course.
He was actively involved in the Grande Prairie Soccer Association for many years as a coach for both recreational and rep boys teams. When he was not working, he enjoyed travelling and most of all spending time with his family and friends. Family trips to San Francisco, Hawaii, Arizona, and especially anywhere in the Rocky Mountains or outdoors, were some of his favourites. Czeslaw appreciated tending to his garden and going for walks out in nature in every season. He appreciated and shared a wide variety of music, film, and other arts. He was happy any day he was able to go golfing and would gladly play every day of the year if he could. His favourite sports to watch were hockey and soccer, followed closely by football. His two favourite hockey teams, the Flames and Jets, were about to faceoff in a much-anticipated series this summer. He loved seeing the Blue Bombers recently win the 2019 Grey Cup in Calgary with his sons and extended family. He was quite fond of his newly retired life and all the extra time to spend with Diane and their garden. He was always very easy going, the greatest teacher his sons could ever ask for, and a fantastic role model for those who were lucky enough to meet him. Chet, Husband, Papa, Dziadzio, Son, Brother, Friend - we love you and miss you. Till we meet again.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Diane; sons, Andrzej (Marcie) and Alain (Dana); his pride and joy, and very first grandchild Julien; mother Bronislawa; sisters, Sophie (Rob) Elgar, Chris and Wanda (Jim); brothers-in-law, Roger (Gisele), Gerald and Marcel; sister-in-law Pauline (Garry) Querel; his dearest childhood friend Marek Mossakowski; numerous nephews and nieces; and his extended family in Edmonton and Poland.
He was predeceased by his father Antoni Jozef Tomszak, and his in-laws, Edouard and Lilliane Manaigre.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 31, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Oliver's Funeral Home in Grande Prairie (10005 107 Ave.) by invitation only. A livestream of the service will be available through Oliver's Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/olivers.funeral.home/ Video feed will be available 15 to 30 minutes before service time.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any generosity be directed to Heart and Stroke of Alberta, 144, 5241 Calgary Trail NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 5G8.
Condolences may be sent by visiting
www.oliversfuneralhome.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 30, 2020
Condolences & Memories (1 entries)
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Words seem inadequate in expressing the sadness Cathie and I feel today. At the same time we are so glad to have had the chance to visit Diane and Chet in Grande Prairie in October. We especially enjoyed the driving tour of the city he loved, His pride in sharing gave us looks at the special terrain we would otherwise have missed. Personally I will be ever fond of our early years listening to music in the McMillan home basement. He introduced me to Steely Dan's Aja and I am forever grateful. The trip we made to the east coast with Garry is etched upon my mind. His ingenuity with a coat hanger and the rear axle on the Datsun 510 got us to North Bay. Singing Black Velvet Band with the Irish bands at Moby Dick's in Ottawa was classic. The visit to Montreal and visiting his mom's best friend who came over from Poland with her and chose to stay. Learning a few choice French words from the female Alouettes fans at the Autostade. Golfing Pictou. Discovering Bulach Bahn Falls on Cape Breton, then Fort Louisburg, then Peggy's Cove. Chet teaching me the DIY oil change in Sydney NS. Small town camping in New Brunswick and walking to the local community hall only to find April Wine in concert. But the best moment was on my aunt's small farm in Niagara on the Lake. We were to stay one night before heading home as University classes had already begun. It had been a wet end to summer and the peaches had to come off immediately. Sheepishly my aunt asked if we could stay to pick for a couple of days. Her husband was a quiet man from western Ukraine who spoke little english. But when Chet began conversing with him in Polish while on the picking ladders my Uncle Emil's spirit seemed lifted. That night he pulled the '55 Pontiac out and treated us to a drive to the Falls. All three of us fit into the back seat with room to spare. My cousin still talks of that trip with appreciation for how happy her dad was thanks to Chet and our help. We couldn't quite connect in Calgary during Grey Cup but were texting from each of our seats at the game. Glad the boys got you out to that one! I had just sent a photograph of our new grandson in Vernon on Wednesday. From one proud new Gigi to a new Dziadek, You and Diane have lots to be proud of, my friend. Long hug to you, Diane. Love, Howard and Cathie, Winnipeg Now about my golf swing ... - Posted by: Howard Skrypnyk (friend) on: Aug 01, 2020