RICHARD DROMERESKI

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RICHARD DROMERESKI

"And when my journey takes me to the end of the road of this life, beyond times hidden bend, I hope my fellow travellers can say with truthful hearts… a good man passed this way."
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts, that we announce the passing of Richard Dromereski on October 5, 2020 at the age of 79.
Left to love and cherish the memory of Richard's life are his wife Gail; sister Eve Anderson; nieces, Krystal (Kristjan) Isfeld, Debbie (Brad) Wood and Darlene (Dale) Nelson; nephews, Grant (Debby) Anderson and Lyle (Sharon) Anderson and all of Richard's great-nieces and nephews. Also mourning the loss of Richard are his countless lifelong friends and all those "honourary" family members who lovingly and respectfully referred to their special friend as "uncle Richard."
Richard shared a special bond with his younger brother and dear friend Murray, who passed suddenly in 1992. Richard always supported and helped him and cherished the time they spent together.
Richard was born to William and Olga on March 20, 1941 on the family farm in Pleasant Home, MB. He was raised and spent most of his early years in nearby Winnipeg Beach. At a youthful 15 years of age, Richard met the love of his life, Gail McSweeney, at the Winnipeg Beach Riding Stables in 1956. Gail and Richard married eight years later on November 14, 1964 and made their life together in Winnipeg, eventually settling in comfortably and happily at their home in River Heights. They enjoyed spending weekends and summers at their cottage that Richard built in Winnipeg Beach. Richard found pure joy in entertaining family and friends at his cottage and hosting the best parties and dinners, always with an abundance of food, drink and music. More specifically, Baba's perogies, Carlos Rossi wine and George Jones or a good Ukrainian polka spinning on the turntable. Richard loved and embraced the simple, most important things in life. He loved his family. He loved home cooking. He embraced hard work. He valued friendship. He loved to travel. "Unless you've been there and seen it with your own eyes, you just won't understand what you're missing" was Richard's unapologetic justification for every single vacation.
Richard worked as an electrician for almost 60 years. Throughout his storied career, he took great pride in all his work, which encompassed everything from small residential builds and renovations, to supervising and managing large commercial projects in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Richard was highly respected in his trade. His amiable personality and outgoing demeanour fostered many lifelong friendships with those he met on the jobsites and worked alongside.
Richard eventually retired from the electrical trade. He did not, however, retire from work. Richard loved to work. He loved projects. He found great satisfaction in building things. For family and friends, if you were building a house, Richard was there. If you needed something fixed, repaired, refurbished, Richard was there. He built numerous benches and tables and even a variety of teaching aids for the teachers in his family. He loved the challenge of creating. Sometimes the challenges of the projects were beyond Richard's abilities, but that was not a problem. He would simply rely on his background as a Project Manager, pull out his flip phone and recruit free professional labour from whichever dear friend of his had the required skillset and tools. Such was Richard's charming ability to coerce willing volunteers and bring friends together with purpose, always leaving time to celebrate afterwards.
We are grateful for the care provided by CancerCare Manitoba and Riverview Health Centre. A special thank you to Zeljka Bakija for her exceptional care and professionalism. Heartfelt gratitude to Dean and Karen Duncan for their unconditional love and support for both Richard and Gail throughout this most difficult time.
Flowers are respectfully declined. If family and friends so desire, a donation may be made in Richard's memory to The Winnipeg Humane Society or CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.
As per Richard's wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.
He touched so many lives. We are enriched having known the wonderful man he was.
Richard, we love you forever and will miss you always…

Condolences may be sent to
www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 17, 2020