ALEXANDER (ALEX) ROSKY

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ALEXANDER (ALEX) ROSKY Peacefully in his sleep on November 21, 2003, Alex Rosky 89 years old, of Lockport Manitoba. Alex who was predeceased by his son Ray of Whiterock B.C. in 2002, is survived by his wife of 64 years Fern, his son Allan, daughter(s)-in-law, Debbie, and Margaret Anne of Whiterock B.C., grandchildren, Christopher of Sao Paulo Brazil, Craig, Jennifer and Nikita, Jill (Andrew) and Rob of Whiterock B.C., as well as two great-granddaughters, Samantha and Rebecca. Alex was born on February 25, 1914 in Lockport, to his parents Mike and Mary. He worked many long hours helping on the family farm and selling fish for his father as a young boy. In the early forties, he started working at Fairfields Woolen Mills earning 19 cents per hour. Several years later, he began working at the Manitoba Rolling Mills and retired from there after 32 years on the job. At a very young age Alex became interested in music and spent may hours learning to play the violin. "Fiddle music" was very popular at the time and Alex was especially gifted because he could play Old Time music (jigs, breakdowns, etc) and Ukrainian Ethnic music (polkas, kolomykas, etc.). His love of music and his ability to play a variety of music styles made him a very popular musician and afforded him many jobs at weddings, anniversaries and social events in the surrounding area . His love of music also lead him to his wife Fern who enhanced his sound with her skill on the piano. It wasnt long before Alex and Fern were married and started a band. They entertained many people over the years both in their home and at functions in the community. Alex was still playing the fiddle at home right up until his passing. Alex loved his home in Lockport and was able to continue living there which made him very happy. He loved working around the yard. He put in a garden until a few years ago, cut his own grass, worked on his car and changed his own oil. He was always busy. Alex knew exactly how many bails he saved from one winter to the next. A few weeks ago, he was putting flax bales around his house to make things warmer for the winter. One of Alexs favourite memories was the trip he took to his parents home town in the Ukraine in 1968. He loved telling stories about his visit to the Ukraine. Alex had many friends. He was active in both the Royal Canadian Legion and the Army and Navy in Selkirk. He had played many times in both of these clubs over the years and up until recently, Alex and Fern still went to these clubs on the odd weekend to enjoy the music and have the odd dance. He was able to teach everyone but Cindy the seven step. Alex loved all of his grandchildren but he had an incredible soft spot for Nikita. She was the youngest, she could speak Ukrainian to him, and she lived next door which provided many opportunities for visits. They had many discussions regarding the proper enunciation of the Ukrainian language. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 27 at 10:30 a.m. in the Little Britian United Church on No. 9 Hwy. one mile north of Lockport, with Rev. Chris Bridgett officiating. Viewing will be held one hour prior to service time. Interment will follow in the churchyard cemetery. Pallbearers will be David Yates, Carl Josefchuk, Jeffery Jenkins, Mark Bishop, Richard Loutit, and Wayne Barrett. Flowers gratefully declined. Should friends desire donations may be made to the Little Britian United Church building fund. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk, in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 24, 2003