GUS PUZIANOWSKI

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GUS PUZIANOWSKI Augustine Anthony Puzianowski, the son of Frank and Johanna was born on February 22, 1927, at the Birch River Nursing Station near what is today East Braintree Manitoba. The untimely passing of Frank Puzianowski combined with the great depression made for a rather dickensian childhood. Despite these tough times, with his older brother's support, Gus attended Teulon Collegiate boys boarding school and successfully completed grade 12. Fascinated by wartime aviation and eager to fight Nazi tyranny, Gus joined the newly created Royal Canadian Air Cadets in 1941. He underwent cadet bomber and gunnery training at the Commonwealth Air Training Base at Polson Manitoba and earned the rank of cadet corporal. Gus often reminisced about training in the Avro Anson during those years. The Second World War ended shortly after Gus' 18th birthday and he was demobilized before seeing combat. After the war, Gus taught for a year at the Whitemouth River School near Elma, MB. Finding out that teaching was not to his liking, Gus headed west. From Vancouver, Gus ventured to Ocean Falls and worked for 19 months for the Pacific Paper Mill. Returning to Vancouver, Gus worked as a longshoreman for Johnston Terminals. A gifted forklift operator, he was often contracted out to other companies all over greater Vancouver and laid building cornerstones. Gus returned to his family home after learning that North Star Oil was interested in establishing a local agency there. Securing the opportunity, North Star built a bulk fuel and service station in Hadashville in 1954. In 1962, North Star Oil was taken over by the Shell Oil Co. of Canada. Gus' love of flying endured. In 1968, he earned a private student pilot permit and flew solo. In 1970, Gus, along with 2 other partners, built the original Parkview Inn Hotel near the intersection of PTH 11 and the TransCanada Hwy. Unfortunately, this hotel was destroyed by fire in late 2006. This incident profoundly upset Gus very much. In 1969, Gus married Marlene P. Stubb of Winnipeg and they raised two children. In 1986, Shell Canada closed the Hadshville bulk fuel agency. Undaunted, Gus built his own bulk fuel facility, by his own hands, operating as an independent agent. Later, Gus expanded his business by adding a retail automotive gas outlet. This service was badly needed after local gas station was destroyed by fire. Gus sold his fuel business in 1999 and retired at age 72 after faithfully serving his community for over four decades. After a brief fight with bile duct cancer, Gus passed away in the early morning hours of March 5, 2007 at St. Boniface Hospital with his family at his bedside. Cremation has taken place. Gus is survived by his wife Marlene; and his children, Cassandra O. Puzianowski, M. Sc., RPN of Edmonton and Allan A. Puzianowski, M.Sc., P.Eng of Calgary. Gus is survived by three brothers, Rudolf (Dorris); Afros (Bertha) and Albert (Marjorie). Gus had three sisters, Agatha (Harry) Johnson, Josephine (Len) McLeland, both of Calgary, and baby Lundia Puzianowski (who died shortly after birth). Gus often placed the welfare of his fellow human beings before himself and will be truly missed. Gus will be fondly remembered for his good natured wit, charm, and warmth. Among these numerous friends the family wishes to thank Mr. Stan Barta and Mr. Bob Wiliment of Hadashville who rushed to help Gus overcome a chimney fire in his home immediately preceding his illness. The family is especially grateful to Mr. Maurice Dubowski of Hadashville for his kind attention to Gus during his illness and passing. We thank Mr. Keith Puzianowski, and Mr. Tony Choptain who also helped Gus during his illness and thereafter. A special thank you is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Douglas (Bud) and Patricia Demler of Winnipeg and their extended family for providing their ongoing support during this tumultuous time. We wish to express our sincere gratitude to all persons who took the time to visit, telephone, or write messages to Gus before he left us. Hadashville will never quite be the same without him. Gus relished country living and truly enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, picking berries, and the company of good friends. A celebration of Gus' memory is planned with details to be announced later. The family wishes to contact persons that desire to share personal memories and uplifting stories involving Gus. Let not the memory of Gus Puzianowski fade from the knowledge of men.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 26, 2007