FRANK KLAPONSKI

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FRANK KLAPONSKI Suddenly on July 21, 2003, one day before his 88th birthday, after a short illness, Frank Klaponski passed away at the Deer Lodge Centre. He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter Joan Armstrong and husband Brian and grandchildren, Steven, Michael, Christopher, Breanna and great-granddaughter Emma; son Brian and wife Lois and grandson Adam; son Dr. Edwin and wife Louise and grandchildren, Matthew, Jill, Laura and Peter of Surrey, BC. He also leaves his sister Mary Zenaides Stirling of Long Beach, California; brother-in-law Leonard Kropioski of Kenora, ON and many nieces and nephews. Dad was predeceased by his wife Jean; his parents Frances and Martin Klaponski; his brother John, as well as sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. Dad was born July 22, 1915 in Winnipeg. Shortly after that the family took up farming in La Broquerie, MB. They remained there until the early 1930s when they moved back to Winnipeg during the Depression years. Dad worked as a mechanic for McCrae and Griffiths during the 1930s and was proud to enlist in the Air Force Reserve. He became a member of the 402 Squadron. Dad served overseas (in Britain) during the Second World War. After the war Dad and Mom were married on September 8, 1945. After much consideration Dad and Mom decided that Dad would continue with the regular Air Force, a decision that he never regretted. This decision took our family to a number of Air Force bases throughout Canada (Winnipeg, Gimli, Suffield, Camp Borden, Bagotville, North Bay, Cold Lake, Ottawa). In 1962 the family returned to Winnipeg. In 1964 Dad retired from the Air Force as a Flight Lieutenant after 26 years in the Canadian Forces. In the same year he started a rewarding 16 year working career for Standard Aero Engine. After retiring Dad and Mom had many years together enjoying winter holidays in warmer climates along with numerous trips to Surrey, BC. Dad loved life and liked talking to and meeting new people. He curled through much of his life and played twice a week with the Antlers at Deer Lodge Curling Club up until March of this year. He was an active member of the 402 Association for many years. Dad was a founding director of the Credit Union at CFB Rockcliffe and a Director of the Astra Credit Union in Winnipeg for a number of years. He loved working in his yard and was proud of his vegetable garden. The pallbearers will be his six grandsons. Thank you to the nurses and staff at Grace General Hospital for their care and concern and a special thank you to Dr. Alvin Schroeder, especially for his care and support over the last two and a half months. Thank you to the staff on 2 South at Deer Lodge Centre where Dad had moved a week ago. A special thank you to Miranda for her care and concern that she showed to Dad while she was with him as his personal assistant and to his nephew Dr. John Klaponski for his many visits. Prayers will be held on Friday, July 25 at 8:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 26 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Roman Catholic Church, Silver Ave. at Whytewold Road, St. James with Rev. Fr. Timothy Nelligan officiating. Interment will follow in Holy Ghost Cemetery. If family and friends desire, donations may be made in Franks memory to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 120 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2 or to Grace General Hospital Foundation, 300 Booth Dr., Winnipeg, MB R3J 3M7. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 26, 2003