RAYMOND OLECKO

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RAYMOND OLECKO 1930 - 2001 It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our husband, father and grandfather. Ray fought a courageous battle with cancer but passed away at the Riverview Health Centre on Sunday, June 3, 2001 at 3:30 p.m. with his wife Joyce Gaudry by his side. Ray was born in Lamont, AB. He started boxing in his teens and went on to box in the Golden Gloves Amateur Championship. He spent three years in the Air Force in Ontario, Quebec and Labrador, but the love of his life has always been design. He has had many designs patented and the first was a fibreglass sling shot that he sold worldwide. Ray then went on to design a septic tank for Structural Glass but his proudest moment was when he designed the "Boler" trailer. He manufactured it in Winnipeg for many years and sold franchises throughout Canada. He won a design award from the University of Manitoba for the Boler. In later years, he owned and operated Alloy Industries and finally Rays Trading Ltd. He was an avid sportsman. Hunting and fishing was a passion and he spent his happiest times in Manitobas forests and lakes. Ray leaves to mourn, his wife Joyce; daughters, Morgan (whom he called his angel), Ailene George (Ralph) and Tammy McNichol (John) stepdaughter Dawn Lowe (Thom) of Pennsylvania; stepson Dean Hyde of Kingston whom Ray called his son. Dean and Ray had a special bond and spent many happy hours talking about hunting and fishing. Ray was so happy when Dean took a months compassionate leave from the army to be with him and to help to close his business. Ray is also survived by three grandchildren, Leanne, Vanessa and Michael George; brother Horace; sisters, Virginia in Alberta and Anne Marie in the U.S.; and his mother Mary Olecko in Calgary. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 7 at 11:00 a.m. in Deer Lodge United Church, 2093 Portage Ave. at Belvidere Street. Our family wishes to thank the caring and attentive staff at Riverview Health Centre, Palliative Care Unit, 3 East for the special care and compassion given to Ray during his short stay. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so desire, donations in Rays memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society (Manitoba Division), 193 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 2B7. In tears we saw you sinking We watched you fade away, You suffered much in silence, You fought so hard to stay. You faced your task with courage, Your spirit did not bend, But still you kept on fighting, Until the very end. God saw you getting tired, When a cure was not to be, So He put His arms around you, And whispered, "Come to Me". So when we saw you sleeping, So peaceful, free from pain, We could not wish you back, To suffer that again. Our family chain is broken, And nothing stays the same, As God calls us one by one, Our chain will link again. WOJCIKS FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 05, 2001