LESLIE SLOWSKI

February 23, 1931 –  December 23, 2021

Leslie Slowski, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend passed on Wednesday Dec 23 2021 at 8:25pm at Bethania Care home comfortably in his room with daughter Deborah and son William by his side. He was 91 yrs.’ old. He is survived his children Deborah Sidleski and William (Trish Sinanan); grandchildren, Travis Bevan, (Vanessa), Kaylee, Tara Bevan, (Jacob Dombek) Brian Sidleski, Tyler, and Cadence; as well as great grandchildren; Alex Bevan, Liam Bevan, Emery Bevan, and our most recent treasure Delilah Dombek.

 

He is predeceased by his wife Anne in 2019; his mother Annie Slowski in 1991 and his father John in 1968.

 

Dad was born in Winnipeg on February 18, 1930 and was an only child. Shortly after being born his family moved to Rainy River in Northern Ontario where he spent the first 15yrs of his life as his father worked for the Canadian National Railway. The family returned to Winnipeg in 1945 when his father was transferred.

 

In his early years Dad worked at a few different jobs, Eaton’s in their candy factory as a shipper; Blackwood Beverages as a bottler; Globe Real Estate Agency as an office worker; and Canadian National Railway as a car cleaner.

 

In 1951 Dad met mom in Sioux Lookout Ontario, and they were married a couple years later on September 26, 1953. At the same time they became members of the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church which is where we are today.

 

They lived at 558 Furby Street in a duplex upstairs and his parents lived on the main floor. Quite a different neighbourhood back in that day I’ll tell ya.

 

In 1958 Dad began his career with the City of Winnipeg Traffic Studies Dept. where he worked for 35 yrs.’ and retired in 1993.

 

In 1964 my sister Deborah was born and I followed in 1966. We lived there on Furby until moving to Valley Gardens in East Kildonan area of Wpg in 1973. Dad always kept an impeccable yard and garden and was quite proud. They lived there until 2006 at which time they moved to Concordia Village on Molson, and then in 2013 mom moved to Bethania care home on Concordia Av and dad joined her there in 2015.

 

We have great childhood memories, usually travelling to Sioux Lookout Ontario every summer for holidays, spending time with our cousins the Wills family in Thunder Bay, Ontario and The Prokipchuks cabin in Gull Lake. We also spent quite a bit of enjoyable times with extended family and friends like the Rybucks on special occasions.

 

My dad sure taught me a lot of things in life I'm grateful for, like carpentry, automotive, and finances to name a few. As he always liked to say Jack of all trades, master of none. Up until his last day I would thank him for the basics he taught me in those fields, and still find myself using some of those techniques he taught me.

 

Dad suffered 2 major strokes in the mid 80’s, which set him back abit in life but he learned to cope. After rehab and time, he became independent again, being mobile and driving again, he loved to drive!

 

My dad and I have always had a good relationship, ups and down like everyone else. But I can honestly say in the past 20yrs or so we’ve grown closer, he was always there for me, always knew what was going on, very supportive and offered constructive criticism when required. And even though his body was failing him the past couple years, his mind was as sharp as a tack right up till the end. Whenever anyone would visit him, he would expect an up-to-date report of what was going on in their life to bring him up to speed, he loved when everyone who visited had stories. He was very proud of his family. Even up until the day before he passed, he knew everything we were talking about, reminiscing about the past and what not. I will miss him and our talks terribly, as I know we all will.

 

A funeral service was held for dad on Friday December 31, 2021 at Holy Trinity Unkrainian Greek Orthdox Church Main st, and laid to rest beside my mom at Glen Eden memorial cemetery. 

 

I would like to give thanks to the pall bearers for their help that cold day:

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John Kensick, friend of the family

Kevin Swanson, friend of the family

Mark Wills, cousin

Travis Bevan, grandson

Brian Sidleski, grandson

Tyler Slowski, grandson

 

Rest in peace Dad, you will forever and always be remembered and never forgotten.