It is with a shattered heart and an ocean of tears that I must announce the passing of my beloved husband John who was born July 12, 1958 in Sambor, Poland. Passed away January 5, 2023 at the Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg.

 

 John’s words: To ALL Doctors, nurses and staff at Cancer Care Manitoba, Victoria General Hospital and Palliative Care THANK YOU for all your excellent care, compassion and professionalism.

 

Thank you to everyone who sent prayers, positive energy, well wishes and care packages. To my Bay6Sales customers thank you for your business and friendship over the last 12 years.

 

Special thanks to Kerry Steinke for helping me physically when I wasn’t able, with the inventory and the warehouse. To Del Irwin for being Terisa’s rock and holding her up during this very difficult time for her.

 

To Terisa’s family who treated me the way family should treat each other - I truly felt like part of the family, and for that I am very grateful. To my mother-in-law, Zofia Wolkowicz; my sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Kristen and Kurt Marchak, Zenon and Trudy Wolkowicz; my nieces and nephews, Jessica (Cole and Finlee Thalman), Micheal, Wesley, Kyla (Willy Loewen), and Joey - sometimes I treated you with tough love, but that’s because I cared. Keep alive all the memories of our family dinners, fun times at the lake, and our trips to Cuba.

 

To my dearest wife Terisa whom I love with all my heart, who stood by me all these years. I am so happy we were able to travel as much as we did and experience so many new adventures together. I am eternally thankful for everything you did, especially holding my hand and walking through this extremely difficult journey with me. I tried to do as much as I could for you, I just hope it was enough. I LOVE YOU.

 

The time has come for me to leave, I have a long-awaited reunion with my father, Stanisław Gigiel, and my father-in-law, Zbigniew Wolkowicz.

 

I ask that everyone raise a glass in my memory - Cheers!

 

As per John’s request, cremation has taken place.

 

Funeral mass will be held Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 11:00 am at Holy Ghost Church, 341 Selkirk Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba. Live stream available:

http://www.holyghost.ca/newsite/broadcast.php#Live

 

John's family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.

 

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in John’s memory to Cancer Care Manitoba.

 

“Wieczny Odpoczynek Racz Mu Dać Panie.”