Joseph SLOMIANY

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SLOMIANY: Joseph Walter (Joe) March 19, 1933 – October 16, 2016. On October 24, 2016, we celebrated the life of our dear dad, father-in-law, papa, uncle and friend, “Joe Slo”, in the style he would have liked, with polka music and laughter at Memories Chapel, gracefully celebrated by officiant Lydia Glawson. We then gathered with family and friends at his beloved Sokol Hall for a reception. A private family interment at the Brandon Cemetery will take place later this month. Joe passed away peacefully on October 16, 2016, having spent just over one day in the Brandon hospital. His loving heart had finally given out. While in declining health in recent months, his mind remained sharp to the end. He has been reunited with beloved wife of almost 57 years, Helen, whom he missed so much since her passing in 2013. He and Helen were soul mates, connected by shared values, culture and their political activism. Always a fun couple, married in Winnipeg on June 9, 1956, Joe and Helen enjoyed dancing, bowling, get-togethers, gardening, and travelling together and later with their children. Joe and Helen were devoted to each other. Joe was Helen's rock, never more so when they were devastated by the death of their infant son Lenny in 1971. Joe's strong resolve to get through the grief helped all the family. He was a good provider, a loving husband who kept Helen laughing, and a devoted father and grandfather for whom nothing was too much of an effort when it came to his children and grandchildren. His kids were his joy and his priority. Mostly a quiet, content man, the outgoing side of Joe's personality was never more evident as when he served as master of ceremonies for various events or when being given the honour of delivering toasts at the weddings of nieces, nephews and the children of his many life long friends. Joe was a true friend, generous with his time, money and hospitality. He worked tirelessly for his church, the Sokol, the causes he believed in, and his community. Joe is survived by his loving and grateful children, Wanda (Michaelangello), Wally (Jenny), his cherished grandchildren Benjamin, Jeremy and Claire, his special nieces and nephews and their growing families of whom he was very proud, and many good friends old and new. Joe was proud and blessed to have his three beautiful, healthy grandchildren grace his life for these past thirteen years. Children of all ages were special to Joe and he enjoyed playing practical jokes on them and with them; he really was a big kid at heart. Joe loved nature, and animals, especially his cairn terriers Skitter and Koko. Joe was predeceased by his dear wife Helen and precious infant son Leonard Joseph (Lenny). Close family members also predeceased him: parents Walter and Anelia Slomiany; infant sister Helena, sister and brother-in-law Sophie and Stan Wasowicz, parents- in-law Leonard and Mary Biczak and in-laws Jean Faires, Mary and Ludwik Kozlowski, and Karen Faires. Joe's father, Walter had come to Canada from Poland in the late 1920’s to seek a better life for the family and was joined a few years later by Joe's mom Nellie and older sister Sophie. The family, having endured the sad loss of infant Helena, welcomed the arrival of Joe, who was born in Brandon on March 19, 1933. Joe was a kind and devoted son and brother, maintaining his strong family ties until the end. Joe was a life-long resident of Brandon, proud of his Polish heritage and north end roots, and happy to have lived on the same east end street for almost 60 years, in the houses he helped build. Joe attended David Livingstone School and Brandon Collegiate Institute and many of his school mates remained friends throughout his life. Joe's musical talents were apparent early; he treasured the accordion his parents got for him from Italy, keeping it his whole life. It has been the sound track for many a party. Joe also sang in the choir for many years at St. Joseph's Polish National Catholic Church; he loved all kinds of music and enjoyed his record collection and attending concerts. Joe was very creative and developed his sign making craft while still in school. He could build or repair almost anything, and in his younger days, he had a variety of jobs which fit his outgoing personality – shoe salesman, soft drink delivery driver, car salesman, and custodian. In the 1960s, building on his sign making experience, he began work in the print shop of Brandon University where forged his interest in progressive politics and found in Len Evans not only a mentor but life long friend. Joe worked with Len as his executive assistant in the early 1970s and thrived in the political environment, interacting with many people from all walks of life, with the goal of making the world a better place. Joe returned to his sign painting career at CFB Shilo until his retirement in 1996. He enjoyed the work environment there, with people he cherished as friends, and who made it fun for Joe. He took great pride in the work he created there, and served as shop steward and local vice-president for the Union of National Defence Employees. Joe enjoyed twenty years of a relatively healthy and very full retirement, for which the family is so thankful, and he dedicated a lot of those years to the Polish Gymnastic Association “Sokol”. Joe had a long association with the Sokol and was a stalwart volunteer dating back to his days as the secretary of the organization through to the years he first served as president, from 1970-1975. He, along with Helen, were always active with the organization and he again served as president from 1984-1988. Joe was largely responsible for shepherding into fruition the Sokol Manor and Sokol Supportive Housing Complex. In 1991, he began what was to be a continuous run as President until his passing. And that was appropriate, as the Sokol was a great part of Joe’s and his whole family’s life. Joe was proud that the organization continues to thrive past its centennial year celebrated in 2013. The friendships forged at the Sokol, the good times there, and the enjoyment he took in working with staff, volunteers and the public enriched his life tremendously. Joe worked tirelessly for his community through his long involvement with the New Democratic Party. He and Helen were honoured by the NDP for their work, receiving the Pioneer and Lucille Ono awards. He found inspiration for his approach to life in the words of one of the founders of the CCF, J.S. Woodsworth, who wrote, in part, “What we desire for ourselves, we wish for all. To this end, may we take our share in the world's work and the world's struggles.” Joe lived as he believed. You made us proud Pops! Thank you for everything you did to make our family happy, and this world a better place. We love you!“Wieczne odpoczywanie racz mu dac Panie.” Rest in Peace.Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 12, 2016