JAMES LOUIS ORBANSKI

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JAMES LOUIS ORBANSKI
November 30, 1941 – February 9, 2022

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our husband, dad, and grandpa. James passed away peacefully on February 9, surrounded by his family, at the Arborg Hospital. He was 80 years young.
James was born on November 30, 1941 to parents, Mike and Rose in Winnipeg and was raised in Hnausa, MB.
He will be forever missed by his loving wife Linda (Sigurdson) of over 58 years, his sons, Greg (Linda), Jason (Shaunna), his beloved grandchildren, Dylan (Amandine), Lexi, Bailey and Lyndon, his brother Bernest (Barbara), special nephew Jonathon (Sherri), sister Sharon Bardarson, mother-in-law Alyce Sigurdson, sister-in-law Karen (Rob) Singer, brother-in-law Eric (Sandra) Sigurdson and sister-in-law Debbie (Robbie) Thorsteinson. Dad also leaves behind many nephews, nieces and cousins along with his very close friend Carl (Yvette) Yestrau.
He was predeceased by his parents, Mike and Rose Orbanski, son Dean, father-in-law Mike Sigurdson, brother David and brother-in-law Richard Bardarson.
Dad was a wild one. He grew up in Hnausa and always spoke of his adventures and the characters that he chummed around with. He settled down when he met a girl from Arborg named Linda Sigurdson and found his soulmate. Dad married mom in December 1963 and they had Dean the following summer. They resided at the family homestead in Hnausa for a few years, had Greg and then decided to build a house in Arborg when Jason was born. Dad and mom lived here for over 50 years and he was proud to call Arborg his home. He always felt that it was important to give back to his community and it showed in his efforts. He always helped with community projects like the Arborg Skating Rink, the Heritage Village, and the Ag Society Rodeo and Tractor Pull to name a few. He was also instrumental in building the Arborg Christian Fellowship Church, the Church that was co-founded by his parents.
Dad spent his life involved in the Construction Industry. He was born into it and he loved it. He worked alongside with his father and his brothers when he was a young man and he found his passion. Clearing bush, building roads, and making drains became the way to support his family and he put his heart and back into it. In 1970, along with his dad and his brother Bernest, he incorporated the earth moving company Tri-Line Construction Ltd. They started out finishing incomplete projects for the Bond companies and eventually built Tri-Line to be one of the largest earth moving contractors in Manitoba. His company cleared thousands of acres of farmland, built hundreds of miles of roads, and excavated hundreds of miles of drainage in all corners of Manitoba. Dad was well respected in the industry and the province always called upon his knowledge and abilities whenever there was an emergency, flood, fire or snowstorm. Dad made lifelong friends in the industry, and he cherished those friendships to the end. He had a great respect for all the employees that had worked hard for him and always considered them to be part of his extended family. James passed those work ethics and values onto his boys, and they continue to run Tri-Line to this day.
Dad was also a grain farmer. In 1975, along with his brother Bernest, he decided to expand the Grain Farm Operation and started building Orbanski Farms. They added farms, improved them, cleared the bush, picked the stones and used their equipment to properly drain the land. James loved the land and was very proud of what the farm had become. He loved purchasing new and innovative equipment to make the farm run more efficiently and it showed as the farm grew. Dad retired at the age of 70 but he still helped out on the farm and construction operations in any way he could. Orbanski Farms was also taken over by Greg, Jason and Jon and is in full operation today.
To say Dad loved auction sales, would have been an understatement. The only thing he loved more than moving dirt or farming was the act of buying the equipment needed to do the job. He travelled to hundreds of heavy equipment and farm auctions over his lifetime and loved the thrill of live bidding. His idea of a great family vacation was travelling with his family to Edmonton, Vancouver or Florida to attend the Ritchie Bros Auction. His boys often joked about hiding his cheque book so he wouldn't be able to buy anything else from the auction.
Dad loved to travel. He hated the cold and escaped it when he could. Mom and Dad took many tropical vacations, went on cruises, toured Europe, and explored the USA and Canada with RV's. They spent many winters as snowbirds in Arizona and Texas and made many friends along the way. James always wanted to visit more places and was still planning trips up to the day he passed. Dad loved his family and would often boast to strangers about how wonderful he thought they all were. In the summer, Dad loved to spend time at their oasis in Silver Bay. He loved when all the grandkids, family and friends were out there and the boat was in the water. We will always cherish those memories from the lake. Summer was also the time for cruising and Dad loved taking his grandkids for rides in his yellow Model A .
The family would like to thank the staff at the Arborg Hospital and Riverview Hospital. Thank you to Carl and Yvette for being such special friends.
A private service will take place at a warmer date, Dad hated the cold. He will be laid to rest beside his son Dean and his forever loving parents.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Riverside Christian Cemetery, PO Box 676, Arborg, MB R0C 0A0.
Condolences may be left at www.mackenziefh.com

"Always in our thoughts, Forever in our Hearts"

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 19, 2022