JOSEPH VIKTOR LEBAR

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JOSEPH VIKTOR LEBAR It is with deepest regrets we announce the passing of Joseph Viktor Lebar on September 1, 2000 at the age of 74. After four days in hospital, Joseph passed away easily and quietly with family at his side. Joseph is survived by his wife of 45 years, Terezija, sons Bryen(Patty Sauder) Lebar, Mario(Kathleen) Lebar, both of Winnipeg, Tomislav(Karen) Lebar of Washington, Pa. and Joseph Stephan(Tara King) Lebar of Kansas City, Mo., grandchildren Mark, Erin, Sophia, James and Fiona Lebar, all of Winnipeg, sisters Rozina Utrosa of Gornja Bistrica, Slovenia and Antonia Lebar of Ljubljana, Slovenia, and sisters-in-law Aga Lebar and Fema Lebar of Gornja Bistrica, Slovenia and numerous nieces and nephews across Slovenia. Joseph was pre-deceased by his father, Ivan Lebar and mother Rozalija Zizek, brothers Karlin, Ignace, Ivan and Martin Lebar of Slovenia and sister Anna Villard of France. Joseph Viktor Lebar was born March 10, 1926 in the small farming village of Gornja Bistrica, Slovenia. Joseph was the seventh of eight children born to Ivan and Rozalija Lebar. Life was difficult in the small village between the great wars but for those who survived, the experience left them with a great will to endure and then to thrive, no matter what the circumstances might be. Joseph exhibited these qualities his entire life. As a seventeen year-old, Joseph joined the Partizan army in 1944 and rose to the rank of sergeant before leaving in 1947. Joseph returned to his village, but found that once he had tasted life beyond the river, it would be difficult to remain at home. In 1948, Joseph set out for the steel mills of Jesinica, Slovenia in order to find a better life. During his eight years there, Joseph returned frequently to his home village, providing support for his family and friends. Joseph met and married his wife and life-long companion, Terezija Geric during these eight years and started a family with the birth of his eldest son, Bryen, in 1955. Joseph continued to work in Jesinica until 1956, when he again realized a better life lay beyond his current circumstance. Like thousands before and since, Joseph and his family decided to make their way to Canada through their own efforts and support of the Roman Catholic church. Joseph and his family brought many dreams and aspirations to Canada, along with a willingness to work hard and eagerness to contribute to their new country. Upon arriving by boat in Montreal, the train conductor asked Joseph where he and his family would like to go in their new country. Joseph had heard that in Canada where it was cold, there was work and so asked, in broken English, to be sent to the coldest place in Canada. The ticket was punched for Winnipeg, Manitoba. In July, 1957, Joseph, Terezija and Bryen Lebar came to Winnipeg and began a new life. Once again, life was difficult, this time in the north end of Winnipeg, but all things seemed possible in Canada. Both Joseph and Terezija took any job they could find, Joseph finally settling into construction work and Terezija as a seamstress. Through a great deal of saving, scrimping and teamwork, Joseph and Terezija, in 1961, bought a house, over the river in St. Boniface, on Horace Street. Joseph resided there the rest of his days. For his entire time in Winnipeg, Joseph and his family were part of the small and tight-knit Slovenian community centered around Our Lady of Lourdes church. The church would form part of the central core of Josephs life. Joseph actively supported the church, attending services regularly, serving on the church council three times and volunteering at the picnic grounds. Joseph was a part of the Slovenian Canadian Cultural Society, supported Folklorama and along with the help of others, developed this little piece of the Canadian mosaic. Joseph and Terezija formed many lasting and deep friendships in the last forty years within the Slovenian community. It is on these bonds we rely now for strength and courage to get us through the trying days to come. In 1973, Joseph realized a life-long dream and started the Joseph Lebar Construction Co. Ltd. With four children to support and at the age of 47, this was a risk, but the road to a better life lead through self-employment and that is where Joseph went. The business was a success over the next 20 years with many, many satisfied customers. Joseph was often consulted by professional engineers for his expertise in foundations and took great pride in showing others on which building he had worked. Each of his four sons worked with Joseph and each was told in turn that success lay in picking up books not picks and shovels. All four boys graduated university with multiple degrees. We learned his lessons well. Josephs greatest role, beyond that of son, brother, husband, father and community member, came with the birth of his first grandchild, Mark Lebar in 1985. If anyone had ever been born to the role of Oca, it was Joseph. As Oca, Joseph seemed completely satisfied. He indulged each of his five grandchildren, doing and providing whatever was necessary to make their lives enjoyable. In return, the grandchildren bathed Joseph in an unconditional love that he truly cherished. It was in this final role as Oca that Joseph finally found peace. It was a whole life, well-lived, by a not so ordinary Joe. The family wishes to thank the nurses of the MICU at St. Boniface Hospital, especially Yolanda and Jan and Dr. Light and his staff also. Prayers will be said on Sunday evening, September 3, at 7:00 p.m. At Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. at Luxton Avenue. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, September 4, at 10:30 a.m. At Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, 95 MacDonald Ave., with Rev. Fr. Paul Hancko officiating. Interment to follow in Green Acres Memorial Gardens. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL in care of arrangements - 586-8044.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 03, 2000