VERNON JOSEPH ZUBRYCKI (VERON)

Condolences & Memories (8 entries)

• Hilda, we are saddened by the loss of your beloved Vernon. We learned of his passing just this past weekend. And, although we knew his time on this earth was shortened by cancer, his death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but love leaves a memory no one can steal. Our condolences to you Hilda, and Karla, Ben and Andy. May God hold you in the palm of His Hand. Victor and Linda Sawatzky - Posted by: Victor and Linda Sawatzky (Victor is cousin to Hilda Zubrycki) on: Dec 19, 2018

• My deepest condolences to Hilda, Karla, Ben and Andy and the rest of the family. Uncle Vern will be very missed. I always enjoyed his wit and his stories at our family gatherings. One of my fondest memories is of Uncle Vern sharing his passion of photography with us. I remember him showing my brother and I his dark room and how he developed his photos by himself. In our younger years, visiting him and his family always meant a cool tour of the dark room, showing us the magic of how a photo appeared and some of the science behind it. He would also usually help round up Oscar and Felix the cats for us to cuddle since we didn't have any at our own home. May good memories carry you through sad times. A person is never truly gone as long as the memory of them lives on. - Posted by: Lara Walker (Niece) on: Dec 04, 2018

• I've known Vern since we were kids in the North End. I remember we used to buy Blue Ribbon chocolate bars for ten cents a piece from a store two houses away from where Vern lived, because they contained CFL cards that we collected. You could say Vern initiated my singing career when I was sixteen years old and he asked me to join a band he was starting called The Tempests. He was a great guitarist and we had exciting times together. I remember one year when he was teaching at River East Collegiate, he asked me to bring my tape recorder and music from the band I was with at that time, so his class could hear 1960's Winnipeg music. Vern and I also enjoyed playing golf together, at Kildonan. As we grew older, our interests diverged and we each pursued our own path, but we touched base periodically. Vern was a gentleman and a good friend, and I will miss him. - Posted by: Ron Simenik (Childhood friend) on: Dec 03, 2018

• I am sorry to hear of Vernon's passing. My condolences to Hilda and family. Remembrances were in two parts. First, I transferred to Ralph Brown School in grade four and we were in the same grade and room, mixed 4 & 5. I was impressed with Vernon's academics as he was definitely a lot smarter than me. It was also his artistic and organization skills that i saw in him. The next year we were in different rooms but we shared a lot of things. We played on grade 5 soccer team and we won the Winnipeg School Division grade 5 softball championship that spring. We were both in school patrols and to our surprise, we won the top school patrol shield in Winnipeg that year. The next year we played school team sports and he was assistant captain of patrol for his room and I was captain for my room. We came in second place in our grade 6 year for patrols. We went to Isaac Newton or junior high but sort of drifted apart, separate rooms. In high school at St. Johns, we got together again in grade 12 as we both stayed up late to watch golf on tv and playing together. Vernon was very adventurous. He caddied for the Manitoba Open and to his surprise at the end of the tournament, the pro he caddied for gave him his golf clubs. Was he ever excited and he did not have to rent clubs anymore. As we both knew we would not be graduating in grade 12 that June, we played hokey at Kildonan Golf course instead of going to the grad church services. He used to go downtown each Saturday morning with John Zapp to Woolworth's to have coke and fries and after listen to records. Second, 50 years later thru Dan Sernyk at Miles Mac breakfast club, I got to meet Vernon again. We had a lot of catching up to do and we had these breakfasts and our lunches to go over the past, filling in the gaps. Vernon finished his high school at Daniel Mac and I did mine at St. Johns. He told me that he played with local band Ron Semeniuk and the Comancheros. Vernon left me with a lot of fond memories and we probably had a lot more to talk about. A very remarkable person that I was glad to know. God Bless. - Posted by: colin dederick (school friend) on: Dec 03, 2018

• Please accept my sincere condolences Hilda. Thinking of you at this sad time and extending caring thoughts. (Former co-worker) Cheryl Norberg - Posted by: Cheryl Norberg (Friend) on: Dec 02, 2018

• I ran into "Mr. Zubrycki" at the Miles Mac anniversary open house a few years ago and he introduced himself as Vern, no more Mr. Zubrycki, and was very friendly and interested to know how I was doing. I remember saying to him at one point, "You haven't changed a bit!" because he looked virtually the same as I remember him, with the beard and all, and unaged. So it caught me by complete surprise to see his obit. The thing I remember back in Miles Mac is theatre teacher "Mr. Zubrycki" putting our theatre class through the paces of a play by French absurdist playwright, Eugene Ionesco. The play was, The Bald Soprano. The defining line I recall was someone reciting a poem they had written dedicated to the Fire Marshall: "THE FISH CAUGHT FIRE. THE WATER CAUGHT FIRE. THE ASHES CAUGHT FIRE. THE SMOKE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE CAUGHT FIRE. EVERYTHING CAUGHT FIRE. CAUGHT FIRE. CAUGHT FIRE." I think it was pretty cool of Zubrycki to have us performing this insane play, and I appreciate it even more today because I have never forgotten the play and the crazy lines. And that's what I thought of when I saw his obit and that's what I remember him for, other than that he always seemed a very nice man and simple in his pleasures. - Posted by: Bill Redekop (former student) on: Dec 02, 2018

• I worked with Vern for several years, he was a talented and gifted man. His talent extended into multiple areas of interest and I looked forward to our lunch time conversations. I'll always remember how he assisted young, troubled youth by helping them uncover their hidden abilities, building their confidence through unique hands-on projects. His caring, patient manner created a lasting bond with students and I learned a great deal from his approach. I am saddened to hear of Vern's passing and extend my sincerest condolences to his family. Through the countless lives he touched be it friends, family, co-workers or students, his memory will live on. - Posted by: Bryan (Friend) on: Dec 01, 2018

• This is such sad news to hear. Mr. Zubrycki was my home room teacher (along with English/Language Arts) in grade 11 in River East Collegiate. I remember him like it was yesterday and have to say he was the most influential teacher in my life in all my schooling. He was always cheerful and approachable, always encouraging.....helped me to develop self-confidence as I was a very shy young person at that point in my life. Still, he always had the time to listen to any concerns I had. Mr. Zubrycki wrote me a fabulous letter of reference that helped me gain entrance to a two year program at Red River Community College, something I continue to remember. On behalf of my wife, Heather, and myself, we send sincere heartfelt condolences to you especially Mrs. Zubrycki (I remember you fondly as well), and to the rest of your family from our home of the past 22 years in Fredericton, New Brunswick. I recall seeing the two of you briefly at a high school reunion about one year after my marriage...was really nice seeing you again. May you all be comforted by your many happy memories of a great person! - Posted by: Rob McLaughlin (Former student) on: Dec 01, 2018