JULIAN MOLINSKI

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JULIAN MOLINSKI It is with great sadness that the family of Julian Molinski announces his passing on April 18, 2001 at age 81. He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy in 1983. He will be lovingly remembered by his sons, Ed (Judi), Tom (Elaine), and granddaughter Deanne, and many nieces and nephews. Julian was born in Huta-Zlomy, Poland in 1919. He was the second youngest of his four brothers and three sisters, now all deceased. He grew up on a farm where everyone pitched in to help. At age 20, he was an apprentice blacksmith when the Second World War broke out. Julian joined the Polish Army which reassembled in Italy after the invasion of Poland in 1939. As a Private in the army, he was assigned to be a tow truck operator in the Mechanical Maintenance and Vehicle Recovery Unit. After many campaigns in the Middle East, Julian and several other soldiers were captured in 1944, and placed in a prisoner of War camp in Siberia. He and a few others escaped, but were recaptured and sent back to the camp. Julian and all the other Polish soldiers were finally liberated at the end of the Second World War. Not being able to return to Poland, Julian came to England in early 1946, where he tried to restart his life. He worked in an engine manufacturing plant for two years before deciding to come to Canada in 1948, as he had relatives residing in Selkirk, MB. Julians first job in Canada was working on the construction of the Seven Sisters Generating Station. In 1950, three significant events occurred; he married Dorothy Furlic, moved to his permanent residence of 51 years in St. Andrews, and began a new career with the Manitoba Rolling Mills in Selkirk. A few years later, his two sons were born. At the Manitoba Rolling Mills, Julian began as a blacksmith, a job he worked at for many years. He also shoed horses for two stables which supplied horses to the Rolling Mills. In 1967 he moved into the Shipping Area where he worked as a crane operator until his retirement in 1981. Julian was a very ingenious and industrious man, and throughout his life he designed and built many unique and innovative tools for himself, his sons, and others. There was almost nothing that he would not try to build or make himself. He especially enjoyed working on these projects alongside his two sons. One of these projects was building racing cars with his sons, which they raced at Bison Dragways. There were also many great fishing and camping trips to the Whiteshell with his sons and nephews, and backyard BBQs with family and friends. Julian enjoyed parties and good music and never missed an opportunity to dance with anyone. If there was no dance music, he would just as much enjoy talking, trading stories, playing cards, and chess. He was extremely loyal to his friends and family and was not shy in offering his advice or to share his opinion to anyone on anything. Julian and Dorothy always had an extensive garden in which raspberries and strawberries played a big part. He also grew many varieties of apples, plums, currants, and grapes, which led to some very fine winemaking. Julian cherished evergreen trees and planted several hundred on his property which beautify it to this day, and will remain as a testament to his love of the land. After his retirement, Julian began to travel more and took many trips to places he had dreamed about. He and his travelling companion always had plans for where to go next. Now his next trip will be to heaven. We will miss you Dad. Prayers will be said on Sunday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Selkirk. Funeral mass will be held on Monday, April 23 at 10:30 a.m. in the Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church, Selkirk, with Fr. Boguslaw Wardzinski officiating. Interment to follow in the parish cemetery. Julians pallbearers will be Mike, Stan and Marion Jaworski, John and Gabriel Kraljevic and Ted Molinski. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice in memory of Julian Molinski. Gilbart Funeral Home Selkirk, in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 20, 2001