JOHN BENJAMIN "BEN" STRIOWSKI

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JOHN BENJAMIN "BEN" STRIOWSKI April 11, 1907 - March 18, 2003 Peacefully on Tuesday March 18, 2003 at Fred Douglas Lodge, Winnipeg. Ben was in his 96th year, a caring husband of the late Janet Striowski (nee Highgason) a beloved father of Beverly and son-in-law Gordon Fox; Allan and daughter-in-law Pat; dear grandfather of Howard; Randy (fiance Janice Sanduliak) Lisa (Bill Semenchuk) and Kelli, cherished great-grandfather of Michael; Steven; Sydney; Heather and Rebecca. Ben was predeceased by his brother Albert who perished during active service in The Second World War; sister Freda Wirth; brother William, (Bill) and his parents, Julius and Matilda. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Ben attended The University of Manitoba, graduating in 1929 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. Ben continued his studies towards his Masters Degree, completing Advanced Theory of Structures, (1930), Advanced Hydraulics, (1934). Ben also completed the Provincial Preliminary Land Surveyors Exam. Bens career in Civil Engineering covered a number of positions in various locations within Canada. Some of the highlights of Bens career included the design of the Seven Sisters Hydro Electric Dam project on the Winnipeg River, a supervisor during the construction of the Trans-Canada Highway in northwestern Ontario, Structural and Hydraulic projects for The City of Winnipeg, a supervisor on the development of a water treatment plant in Portage la Prairie, a Design Engineer for reinforced concrete structures with Cowin & Co., Structural and Hydraulic engineering design for the preliminary engineering on the St. Lawrence Seaway project, (Ottawa), Engineer of Design with The City of Winnipeg, managing the Disraeli Freeway and Midtown Bridge projects. Bens career in Civil Engineering was recognized by all and well respected by his peers and came to a close when he retired from The City of Winnipeg as the Deputy City Engineer in 1972. As part of this recognition, Ben was once acknowledged in an article published in the Manitoba Professional Engineer by "A wish for Mr. Striowski - May we cross all the bridges he designs", (W.A. Corbett P. Eng.). In his retirement years, Ben spent his summers at Laclu in northwestern Ontario where cottage life had begun early in his childhood. Ben initially visited Laclu with his parents, staying at a cottage with family on Johnson Island. Later, he and Janet purchased their own cottage on the peninsula entering Rice Bay. Together with their family they enjoyed many summers actively participating in many of the offerings of cottage life. Ben enjoyed many of the peaceful activities of life, listening to music, reading books, both downhill and cross country skiing, fishing while at the lake, and he especially enjoyed being active by walking, either to visit his family at home in Winnipeg or hiking around at the lake. Funeral service will be held at Thomson Funeral Chapel, 669 Broadway, on Monday, March 24 at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Terry Hidichuk officiating, burial will take place at Elmwood Cemetery. Flowers gratefully declined. Should friends desire, donations may be made in Bens memory to the Canadian Diabetes Society or a charity of your choice. The family wishes to extend sincere appreciation to the staff of Fred Douglas Lodge for their compassionate care for Ben. THOMSON FUNERAL CHAPELS 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 22, 2003