JOHN R. ROGALSKY

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JOHN R. ROGALSKY Peacefully and surrounded by his family, our dearly beloved husband, father and Opa passed away on February 12, 2005 at Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home. Surviving are his loving wife of 50 years, Marguerite (nee Bergen); six children and their families, Randall and his wife Anne and their children, Jean, Lindsay, James and Lauren; Don and his wife Debbie and their children, Evan and Kimberley; Elaine Aubin and her husband Andrew and their children, Alana and Colette; Barbara-Anne Hodge and her husband David and their children, Timothy, John, Emily and Samuel; Ken and his wife Lori and their children, Tyler, Adam, and Shawn; and Candace Everard and her husband Ken. Also surviving are his sister Betty Dyck and her husband Henry; two sisters-in-law, Verna Doering and her husband Adolf, and Kay Rogalsky; two brothers-in-law, Victor Bergen and Arnold Abrahams and his wife Mary; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. John was predeceased by his parents, Abram and Maria Rogalsky and two brothers, Leonard and Abe. John was born on December 20, 1929 in Winnipeg and grew up in Glenlea, MB. He attended high school in Springstein, MB, and at age 16 he entered the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Manitoba, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1951. After graduating, until 1955 he farmed with his brother Abe at Selkirk, MB. In 1954 John and Marguerite were married, and in 1956 he accepted a position with Canada Agriculture in Morden, MB. In 1959 he was transferred to Winnipeg and in 1968 he accepted a position with the Manitoba Department of Agriculture as a Special Crops Agronomist. At his retirement in 1993 he held the position of Chief of the Crops Section. While enjoying his professional career, John never ventured from his passion, and maintained his own 400 acre farm at Selkirk. John was a respected professional and an honorary member of the Canadian Seed Growers Association; member of the Manitoba Institute of Agrologists; member of the Agriculture Institute of Canada; member of the Board of Directors of the Flax Council; member of the Pulse Growers Association; and a member of numerous other organizations. John was a lifelong member of First Mennonite Church where he served on Church Council and on the Board of Sunset House. The Rogalsky family has a history with Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home since its inception, and John was a Bethania board member especially involved in fundraising. As a young man he enjoyed hockey and eventually became a coach of his son's team. In later years he enjoyed curling and golf. John and Marguerite also enjoyed travel, having ventured to Europe, Australia and Fiji. Dad lived his life with dignity and was a dedicated family man who exemplified Christian values in everything he did. Special thanks to the staff of Bethania for your respect and care for John. A devotional service will be held Wednesday, February 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Bethania, 1045 Concordia Ave. Funeral service will be held Thursday, February 17 at 10:30 a.m. at First Mennonite Church, 922 Notre Dame Ave. In lieu of flowers, should friends desire, donations in John's memory may be made to Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home, 1045 Concordia Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2K 3S7. Arrangements entrusted to Walter Klassen, Friends of the Family, 222-8080. Dad we will miss you terribly, yet we will enjoy the harvest of your labour until we all meet again. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 15, 2005