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JOSEPH (JOE) SOROKOWSKI
Born: Feb 04, 1940
Date of Passing: Jun 09, 2021
Offer Condolences or Memory Make a donation to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation
JOSEPH (JOE) SOROKOWSKI
Joe was born in Meleb on February 4, 1940 to Ludwig and Olga (Trakalo). Life on the farm was always full of adventure, imagination, and perhaps a little mischief. He attended Normal School (Teachers' College) to become a teacher at a young age. He met the love of his life at a wedding at Farmers Community Hall on August 13, 1960, becoming engaged on August 12, 1961.
As a truly devoted teacher for 37 years, his career took him from Cumming School to Finns, Steep Rock, Vidir, and finally Gimli which became the family home. He worked hard to earn two university degrees through evening and summer school studies, all while teaching full time, having an additional part-time job, and raising a family. He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. After retiring from teaching, Joe continued to work as manager of Fisher Repair in Gimli. Dad was a family man through and through. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for his children and grandchildren. He found the greatest joy in having as many of us over for a meal as he could. "Maybe we could get together and take some steaks out of the freezer?" were some of his favourite words. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, taking them on numerous outings and celebrating their many accomplishments. He was truly their greatest encourager.
Joe enjoyed hunting with Tony and Bob, and fishing with Don. He kept busy with his hands and was always eager to fix anything broken. He loved restoring old vehicles, with his Toyota Land Cruiser being his pride and joy. It was driven in the Icelandic Festival parade for several years, and caught the attention of many, even an eventual buyer from Alaska. Dad was passionate about his garden, flowers, and Christmas lights. Dad and Mom spent many winters in South Padre Island and Weslaco, Texas, meeting new friends along the way, especially Mel and Lil.
He is survived by his wife Jennie and children, Debbie Dickson (Mark), Connie Townsend (Reid) and Brad (Belinda). He will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren, Jennica (Ethan), Ashleigh (Griffin), Kayley, Katrina (Chris), Gianna, Brendan and Kendall, and step-grandson Ben (Josée, Bauer and Boden). He will also be dearly missed by his siblings, Tony (Irene), Walter, Diane (Don), Julia (Bob) and Virginia, in-laws, Wally, Mary, Peter and Mary, as well as many nieces and nephews. We cannot forget to mention his long-time friends, Ed (deceased), Audrey, Don, Diane, Joe and Alice. He was predeceased by his parents, in-laws, Fred and Annie Samorodny, sister and brother-in-law Eleanor and Ernie, and sister-in-law Elaine.
Cremation has taken place with a private service to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Michael's Church parking lot fund (Box 266, Gimli), CancerCare Manitoba, or Heart and Stroke Manitoba.
Condolences may be left on his tribute wall at www.gilbartfuneralhome.com
Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli
in care of arrangements.
Publish Date: Jun 12, 2021
JOSEPH (JOE) SOROKOWSKI
Cremation has taken place and a private service will be held at a later date.
Condolences may be left on his tribute wall at www.gilbartfuneralhome.com
Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli
in care of arrangements.
Publish Date: Jun 10, 2021 Make a donation to
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 10, 2021, Jun 12, 2021
Condolences & Memories (11 entries)
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Our deepest sympathy to Jenny and family. Joe was always such a friendly, caring person who always took the time to chat, reminisce, laugh and show that he genuinely cared. He will be very much missed. May you Rest In Peace, Joe. 🙏🙏🙏 - Posted by: Gloria & Jim Yaremkiewich (Friend) on: Jun 24, 2021
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Sincere condolences to Jennie and family on the passing of Joe. May all the family gatherings and good times together serve as a source of comfort at this difficult time. - Posted by: Bob Blahey (Friend) on: Jun 16, 2021
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We offer our heartfelt condolences to you, Jennie and your family. May Joe's soul be at peace now without any pain. We pray for peace and comfort for you and your loved ones at this difficult time. Joe's gentle soul will always be in our hearts. Heartful thoughts go out to you and your family at this time of sorrow. With years of friendship we offer our love and hugs, Audrey, Michelle and Andy XOXOXO - Posted by: Audrey Powroznik (Friends forever) on: Jun 13, 2021
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Dear Auntie Jennie, cousins and all the family, We’re so sorry to hear of your loss. Our hearts go out to you! After Uncle Joe’s lengthy and ongoing battle with cancer, there is some comfort in knowing that his suffering has ended. He has gone back home and is at peace and at rest with our Heavenly Father. Memories take me back to the times I’d come up from behind him at a family gathering while he was sitting, and I’d mistake him for my dad. It was Uncle Joe who introduced my parents to each other in the first place way back when at the Meleb farm. We could tell he had a soft spot for his grandchildren when we’d bump into him and Auntie Jennie at crazy, noisy amusement parks like TinkerTown. It has to be sheer love to want to subject oneself to that—by choice! We send you our love and condolences. May God grant you all the strength you need to get through the pain you must be feeling. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Continue to take care of yourselves and each other. God bless you always. - Posted by: Arlene Burr (nee Sorokowski) and family (Niece) on: Jun 13, 2021
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My sincere condolences Jennie and family. I got to know Joe during working together at the dealership and fondly remember how proud he was of his children and grandchildren. Joe loved a good joke and we shared many a laugh, often speaking in our Ukrainian tongue. Rest in Peace "Joe". - Posted by: Jenny Sexton (Co-worker) on: Jun 12, 2021
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We offer our heartful condolences to you, Jennie and your family. May Joe's soul be at peace now without pain. We pray for peace and comfort for you and your loved ones at this very difficult time. Joe's gentle soul will always be in our hearts. With all our love, Audrey, Michelle and Andy - Posted by: Audrey Powroznik (Friends forever) on: Jun 12, 2021
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Our deepest condolences to the Sorkowski family in their loss. Mr. Sorokowski was my Jr. High Teacher who helped create a successful journey in Math and Science. He was stern, straight up, and expected your best effort all the time. I smile as I reflect on those similar values in my home. While I didn't know every member of his family very well, I did have that small community privilege of learning and knowing a little. A strong and steady group, hardworking and compassionate; good people with good values. We send our prayers and thoughts to them as they move through their journey forward. - Posted by: Tanya Pomaranski (Student) on: Jun 10, 2021
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Jennie, I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband Joe. May he Rest In Peace. It’s been awhile that we saw you both. Take care of yourself Jennie. Condolences to all your family from Stella and Steve - Posted by: Stella Chernecki (Friend) on: Jun 10, 2021
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So sorry to hear of Joe's passing. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Morris and Joan - Posted by: Morris Kustiak (Teaching frien8) on: Jun 10, 2021
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My sincere condolences to all of the family. Joe was my Junior High School teacher who later became a close friend. Joe and Jennie were always good to me and my family. Best neighbours in the world. Joe will be missed dearly. God Bless. - Posted by: John Zabudney (Student/Neighbour/Friend) on: Jun 10, 2021
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I am so sorry, Jennie, about the passing of Joe. I remember him as a good man, always smiling. May his soul rest in peace. You will have the courage to live on, as I did. Eva Haddad - Posted by: Eva M Haddad (Friend) on: Jun 10, 2021
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