MARTIN CHOMOKOVSKI

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MARTIN CHOMOKOVSKI Martin Chomokovski died Thursday morning, October 5, 2000, at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. He was 65 years old. Martin died of liver and bowel cancer and became gravely ill in the past three months. He took his last breath without pain. Born in Winnipeg on August 24, 1935, to Ksenia and Maxim, Martin was one of nine children who grew up in Okno, near Arborg, Man. Leaving the farm at an early age, Martin moved to Winnipeg to learn the trade of auto body mechanics. On December 3, 1966, he married Carol Sirack, also of Winnipeg. The couple had two children, Irene and Darrell. Throughout his life, Martin worked in northern Canada as a CAT operator in the Norths D.E.W. (Distance Early Warning) line. He also worked as an auto body mechanic at McNaught Motors, Terry Balkan Chevrolet and Simpsons Transfer. In the summer months, Martin left the body shop to farm the same land his parents originally homesteaded. Martin enjoyed gambling, hunting and fly-in fishing. He also loved a good argument (debating, he called it) and was known for speaking his mind. He followed politics and current affairs religiously, reading newspapers every day. Martin often said he should have gone into politics but did not. Martin is missed by his wife Carol; his daughter Irene (Frank Thomas of Fort McMurray, Alta.) and son Darrell. Missing him too are his sisters, Olive Thorvaldson (special friend Ernest), Rose Marie (and Carl Lampel) both of Winnipeg and Anne (and Thor Stefanson of Arborg) and sisters-in-law, Minnie and Dorothy; his brothers include Paul and wife Doris of Edmonton, Walter and wife Olga of Arborg. He also has many nieces and nephews. Martins passing was predeceased by his older brothers, Peter, John and Steve. Viewing will be on Tuesday morning prior to the service from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. at Luxton Avenue. The service will be at 10:00 a.m., with Martins body being interred in the Okno Cemetery. At this time, the family wants to especially thank the people who have helped them cope in this trying time including the great and kind neighbours, Susan and Bill Bandola; the Kunecs: Evelyn, Danny, Cheryl and Dawn; Lorne and Myrna and Ernie and Helen. Thank you, Dennis Melnyk, for accompanying Martin on his long trip to the Mayo Clinic. Thanks, Terry Jewell, of Sioux Lookout for visiting. The family also wants to thank those doctors and nurses who took the time to listen to Martin and believed him when he told them he was sick: Dr. Charles Olweny and RN Michelle at the St. Boniface Unit of CancerCare Manitoba; Dr. Lipschitz and RN Margaret at the HSC and nurses in SICU and GH3, especially Opal, Roxanne and Sheila. In lieu of flowers, the family requests people make a donation in Martins memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, Man., R3E 9Z9, or the Canadian Diabetes Association. "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can And the wisdom to know the difference." His soul has been released to God. Cropo Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements, 586-8044.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 07, 2000