ADAM ROMAN LENKOWSKI

November 19, 1949 - April 17, 2022

With a heavy heart, I announce the sudden and tragic passing of my father, Adam Lenkowski. Adam was born in Heilbronn, Germany at an Internment camp housing displaced Polish people following World War 2 and immigrated to Winnipeg when he was 5 years old.

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Dad grew up in Winnipeg, speaking Polish, German and English. He was a beautifully talented artist and musician. Dad loved playing guitar and listening to music. He was a great cook and could repair and build anything. He rebuilt the motor of his ’64 Oldsmobile by himself. He liked chess and golf and excelled at both. He was a loyal Winnipeg Jets fan. Dad is an inspiration to all of us to never stop learning.

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Dad loved working on the D.E.W. Line in Nunavut. An adventurous and brave hearted man, he befriended some wolves and fed them by hand. Back in Winnipeg, he worked in maintenance engineering.

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My dad was a profoundly loving and generous man. Sensitive and deep, perceptive. He loved to surprise his loved ones and make us smile. He was an outstanding dog grandpa to Milo, and helped me train and raise him into the lovingly sweet goofball that he is. Milo and dad were best friends, and Milo still waits for him at the front window.

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His pride and joy were his only daughter and his only granddaughter. Dad taught me to be organized, to always leave early/never be late, to be strong, to speak up for myself, and to not be afraid to speak the truth. Dad, thank you for raising a warrior. Thank you for supporting my dreams, for the patience and love you shared with Noelle and I. For telling me how proud you are of the life and family I created.

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The fact that he withstood so much intergenerational trauma and hardships throughout his life and still maintained times of such profound joy is a testament to his strength and his will to love us. That love tethers us together forever. I miss you profoundly, but your words and your voice is stitched into my heart. I have your tools, your paintbrushes, and your guitar. I hope that I can make you proud with how I use them.

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Adam is predeceased by his parents, Michael and Mary and by his siblings Eva, Cecelia, and Steve. Adam is survived by his daughter, Amanda (Erick), his granddaughter, Noelle, his dog-son Milo, his siblings Charles (Wendy), Donna, and Danny, nieces, Rachel and Vanessa, nephew, Justin and his lifelong companion, Joan.

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A special thank you to Erick for the care, love and friendship you shared with dad over the past years, and for being with me in dad’s final moments. Thank you to his neighbour Mike, for always looking out for dad. Thank you Aunty Wendy, for knitting dad the special blanket he cherished. Thank you to the S-ICU team at HSC for taking care of dad during his final days.

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Rest in peace, dad. I’ll love you forever.

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Adam'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.

 

 

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence

shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs,

then shall you truly dance.

~Khalil Gibran

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