PAUL THOMAS LOTECKI

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PAUL THOMAS LOTECKI Paul passed away peacefully on Friday, May 10, 2002, at St. Boniface Hospital, at the age of 86, with his loving wife Mary and their family at his side. He was born on January 10, 1916, in Melrose, MB, the son of Szymon and Caroline Lotecki, the second of 12 children. Paul is predeceased by his parents; his brothers, Henry, Peter and Tom; and his sisters, Mary, Vicky, and Sophie. He leaves to mourn his sisters, Kathy, Julie, Frances, Pauline and Cecile. Paul was always very dedicated to his family, especially his mother, when he lived with his parents. He started his own farm when he met and married the girl of his dreams, Mary Galka. Together they lived in a house that he built for them on their farm in Highland Glen. When their family was young, Paul wanted to make it easier to get his children to school so he moved the family, along with the house, to Garson. His children were everything to him, and he loved them all dearly, Joe (Donna), Tom (Norma), Rosemarie (Shawn), Theresa (Dave), Ed (Patty), Vicky (Brent) and Ted (who passed away in 1993). Paul loved all of his grandchildren and spent many hours with them. They all loved him very much and were very close to him. Being the truly wonderful Grandpa that he was, he stayed with us long enough so they were able to say goodbye to him in his final days. They could tell him again how much he meant to them and how much they loved him. He will be greatly missed by Kevin and Kerry, Heather (Eric), Ryan and Shannon, Jessica, Tami and Kristine, Christopher and Gillian, Ashley, Carina, Deidre and Brendan, Jared and Travis, and Erica and Matthew. They will miss his love for them and all of "Grandpas Stories." Paul had a tremendous life. He lived through the Great Depression and often told stories to his family of his experiences and the people he had met. He rode the rails to eastern and western Canada in search of jobs at that very difficult time. He found work in Hamilton, Toronto and in Regina, and he helped to build part of the TransCanada Highway between Winnipeg and Kenora. He lived through many hardships, but never gave up, and was always determined to succeed. After the Depression years, he returned to work on his parents farm until he met Mary and they started their life together. Paul was a tireless worker, and a good provider for his family. He enjoyed working with the land and farmed all of his life, although he also worked as a blacksmith at Juravskys Quarry in Garson in the 1960s. For many years Paul and Mary had a roadside stand, selling fresh vegetables and potatoes. He enjoyed meeting people and would often throw in free vegetables for people he felt could use some help. He enjoyed visits to his brothers and sisters in BC and ON and two great vacations in Hawaii. He finally decided it was time to retire and he and Mary began to enjoy some relaxation at Ed and Pattys cabin at Albert Beach, spending countless hours with many of his grandchildren. He could fix anything and he could grow anything, and he loved flowers - especially red roses. He was a man of strong faith in God with a sense of honour and justice. Although he was unable to finish his own schooling because he had to stay home and help on the farm, he was a math wizard, who could work things out in his head faster than others could on paper. He was proud of all of his children and grandchildren and instilled in them the importance of a higher education. He also taught the real meaning of teamwork (most often in the potato field or picking stones!). He taught them, by example, how important family was and how important it was to have faith and trust in God. Paul will be greatly missed by Mary, who was always by his side. Their love for each other was unmatched. They would have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on June 5. We wish to thank the St. Boniface Hospital Emergency Department, and the nurses, orderlies and doctors of Ward A5 South for their dedicated care and kindness to Paul and all his family. We are also thankful for the Pastoral Care he received. Prayers will be held on Monday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 14 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Garson, MB. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Cemetery, Garson, MB. Pallbearers will be Pauls grandsons. Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish may make a donation in Pauls memory to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, Garson, MB or a charity of ones choice. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 13, 2002