FRANK THOMASCHEWSKI

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FRANK THOMASCHEWSKI December 14, 1934 - January 11, 2018 With his daughter, Judy by his side, Frank passed away peacefully at the Grace Hospital at 2:30 a.m. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 59 years, Patricia (Dryden), son Gordon (Janice), daughter Janice Johnson and daughter Judy (James Thevenot); and his grandchildren, Stacy (Joel O'Connor), Dale, Baillee (Brenden Hintz), Jamie-Lee, Tara (fiancé Brian Loughlin), Bryan (Kelsey Monaghan), Carmen, Misty (Mike Klassen), Tessa and Thomas; and great-grandchildren Ayden, Carson, Esme', Madison, Seth and Isaiah. His brother Anton; brother-in-law Chris Stone; sisters-in-law, Sonja (Bill Barbaza) and Debbie (Don Einarson) and many nieces and nephews, and special aunt Emma Enns. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Franciska; his sister Mary and her husband George Kent; sister Francis; sister-in-law Cordy; father and mother-in-law, Andy and Dora Dryden. Frank lived most of his life on the family farm north of Starbuck with his final three years in Winnipeg. He married Patricia in 1958 and they raised their family on the farm. Although farming was his joy, over his life he worked at various jobs, Dryden Ontario Paper Mill, cat and scraper operator on the Red River Floodway, up north and around Starbuck. Hauling gravel, custom combining down south and around home. Construction work with his father-in-law Andy. Breaking land in The Pas for three years establishing a second farm. Once retired he'd often lent a hand on both his children's farms. Frank would help where ever help was needed or just to give advice. "Here's Eddie". Frank was a very practical man, 'buy what you need, not what you want'. Even through his tough guy persona, he would be the first to help someone in need, and had a heart of gold. Frank enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with family and friends. His favourite spots were Grand Rapids and Eagle Lake. Many memories and stories to tell for years to come were made there. In later years, Pat and Frank took short holidays to the USA and BC and then spent a few winters in Donna, TX at their winter home. This was Frank's "happy place" and even in the end he told us "Let's go back to Texas". There he enjoyed driving the back roads, "checking the crops", making a deal at the flea markets, picking his own fruit off the trees, happy hours on the porch with family and friends. Relaxing at his "happy place". Dad taught us "work hard" to "play hard". Frank enjoyed cooking, and basically no recipe was ever needed, and there was always room at the table for one more. Anyone who had the opportunity to taste his fresh homemade buns/honey buns and especially the cinnamon buns, knows that he had a gift. When fresh buns were made and you dropped in for a visit, you never left empty handed. Frank loved his gardening, and there was always plenty to share. He would never pass up a card game or his favourite 'a game of cribbage' and if you asked him to play he'd ask you "you wanna get beat?" He taught his kids and his grandkids how to play - along with the many 'catch phases' he had in playing crib that will carry on for generations, each with our own favourite to remember. Sometimes his catch phases got him in trouble when the grandkids repeated them out loud. One that stands out is "stick it where the sun don't shine..." yes, there was always an answer or a catch phrase for anything and everything. As per Frank's request there will be no funeral. The family will celebrate his life later on in the summer. So please raise a glass at your "Happy Hour" and remember good times with him. Much appreciation to the staff at Palliative Care and the Grace Hospital, both in emergency and the 4th floor for making his final days so comfortable. Thomson Funeral Home arranged the cremation. Fifteen two, fifteen four... and there ain't no more....

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 27, 2018