EDWARD YABLECKI

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EDWARD YABLECKI 1923 - 2014 Edward Yablecki peacefully passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2014 at the age of 91. Ed was born on January 18, 1923 in Winnipeg, MB. He was the oldest of the three children of Adam and Lillian Yablecki. After graduating from high school, Ed worked at the Royal Alexander Hotel as the Bell Captain. His interest in mechanics and a search for adventure led him north where he worked as a flight engineer for Central Northern and then Transair. Based in Lac du Bonnet, Ed flew all over northern Manitoba and into the far Arctic regions of Hudson's Bay. In between adventures, Ed enjoyed an active social life in Lac du Bonnet and as the goalie for the Lac du Bonnet AA hockey team. During one of his regular trips north to Norway House, he met Violet Puzniak, who soon thereafter became his wife for the next 63 years. It was shortly after the birth of their first son (Glenn) that Ed and Vi decided to relocate to a more domestic lifestyle. His technical skills and aviation experience were highly valued by the Canadian Department of National Defense (DND). For the next several years, Ed studied engineering and worked for the DND in Fort William, ON as a Grumman bomber quality control inspector. Two more sons (Paul and Dave) were added to the family during this time. Continued engineering studies led to a promotion for Ed that took the family back to their roots and families in Winnipeg, where daughter Lorraine was born. Hard work, at several concurrent jobs, allowed Ed and Vi to raise their family and purchase a cottage at Lake Winnipeg Beach. The cottage was a wonderful gift for the entire family, but it also allowed Ed to pursue his love to "putter" when he was at the lake. "Puttering" could involve fixing a leaky faucet, or building a deck, adding a major addition to the building or constructing and repairing a telephone-pole seawall to fend off the wrath of the Lake Winnipeg storms. During their time at the cottage, Ed and Vi managed to wear out several cars and two trailers that were used to haul building materials and supplies. Ed loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing with his family and friends. "Gigi" was also known to enjoy his Sunday afternoons watching the Bombers play and share the occasional "Dybosia", followed with the appropriate "Dyhospeda". Ed and his brother Joe were ardent fans of the Winnipeg Jets and long term members of the Jets Booster Club. Ed is survived by his wife Violet; brother Joe; sister Edna; sons, Glenn (Noreen), Paul (Sheree) and David; daughter Lorraine (Greg); and grandchildren, Jessica, Katie, Eva and Georgia. The family greatly appreciates the care, affection and respect that Ed received from all of the staff while he was a resident on the first floor at Concordia Place. A celebration of Ed's life will be held on Friday, February 7, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ed's memory can be made to the Parkinsons Society of Manitoba or the Winnipeg Humane Society. Cropo Funeral Chapel, 204-586-8044

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 05, 2014