JOSEPH SLOGAN

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JOSEPH SLOGAN

February 15, 1931 - November 3, 2024

Dr. Joseph Slogan (B.A., D.D.S.) passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, November 3, 2024 at Selkirk Regional Health Centre with family by his side.

Dad will be lovingly remembered by his three children, Mark (Sandra), Patti (Clark) Saunders and Jamie (Zobeida); his grandchildren, Christina (Ian) Irwin, Dennis, Kiana and Skylar; great-granddaughters, Mila and Maive who he adored as they brought much joy and happiness to him; brother Steve Hawchuk (Esther) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dad was predeceased by his wife Mary, parents, George Slogan and Tekla Hawchuk, siblings, Stepahanie (Graham Morrison), Walter (Nellie) and Bill Slogan.

Dad was born at Sandwich (Windsor) Ontario on February 15, 1931. He had moved with his mother and stepfather to Malartic, Quebec in 1937, and then they settled at the farm at East Selkirk area in 1938 where he was raised and when not doing his chores and studying, he spent a lot of time with his best friend Peter Chanas.

Dad received his elementary education at Patapun School. He attended Happy Thought School and then graduated from Selkirk High School in 1949, where he was on student council, editor of the year book and wrote for the local newspaper. After attending United College for one year, he attended the University of Manitoba where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in psychology in 1952. While at the U of M he was active in debating and model parliaments. In order to pay for his education, he enjoyed working at the Selkirk Mental Hospital during the summer breaks.

As dentistry was not offered in Manitoba at the time, Dad was accepted to the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto and received a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1956. He was president of his class, the Dental Student Council and served on the Students’ Advisory Council for the University.

During Dad’s time at school, he was awarded several scholarships and awards, highlighted by receiving the Richardson Scholarship upon graduating from high school. Upon graduating from Dentistry, he received the Wallace Seccombe Memorial Award for highest standing in preventative dentistry and the Harold Keith Box Silver Medal in periodontology.

Dad was a Licentiate of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario and a member of both the Ontario and Detroit District Dental Societies. In 1957, he began practicing in Winnipeg and in 1960 opened his practice in Selkirk where he practiced for 45 years until his retirement in 2002. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the Manitoba Dental Association and served as chairman of the Public Relations Committee among others. He was also active in promoting for a children’s dental health plan in Manitoba. In 1985 he was made a Fellow of the Academy of Dentistry International.

Dad was active in community affairs and served on the Council of the Manitoba Historical Society, he is a past president of the Selkirk Chamber of Commerce. He was an Advisory Board member of the Holy Family Nursing Home for seven years and was active in several other community organizations. He was a former President of the Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church Council in Selkirk and in 1966, was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Health, London, England.

Active in the Ukrainian Community, Dad served as national vice-president on the Praesidium of Ukrainian Canadian Committee and was elected to the World Congress of Free Ukrainians. He served as president and vice-president of the Federation of Ukrainian Professional and Business Clubs of Canada and is a past-president of the Ukrainian Professional and Business Club of Winnipeg.

Dad was active during his school years in debating representing the University of Toronto in national and international debating tournaments. He had been active in politics, serving in many capacities including president of the University of Toronto Progressive Conservative Association, National President of the Progressive Conservative Student Federation in 1954. He had served on the Provincial Councils in Ontario and Manitoba and on the National Council of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada as well as on the local Associations.

Dad had run for parliament five times, first in 1953 at the age of 22. He served as a Member of Parliament representing Springfield (Manitoba) Constituency for three terms from 1958 to 1965. Serving on the House of Commons Committees on Finance, External Affairs, Indian Affairs, Northern Affairs and Tourism and Health and Welfare. His work included serving on the Special Committee on Research and on investigating the uranium Industry. He was one of the moving forces that brought the Whiteshell Nuclear Research Centre to Manitoba. He was also instrumental in having the federal government take over Lower Fort Garry from the Hudson’s Bay Company and making it into a national historic park. He served with the Canadian Parliamentary delegation to the United Nations in 1960 where he participated on the Human Rights Committee. In 1964, he was a parliamentary delegate to the NATO conference in Paris, during which time he visited the Canadian Armed Forces in France and Germany.

In business, Dad was one of the founders and executive vice-president of Settlers Savings and Mortgage Corporation prior to its sale. He was also part owner of Paddlewheel Riverboats Ltd., the Gray Line bus tours bringing the double decker buses to Winnipeg and part owner of the M.S. Lord Selkirk cruise ship amongst being involved in other family businesses.

Among all of Dad’s achievements, family was still the most important. In 1958, he met our mother, Mary Hrynchyshyn, at her place of work, she was a legal secretary and he was a client. They were married in 1960. Mark was welcomed in 1961, Patti in 1964 and Jamie in 1971. Dad and Mom were always there to support us. We enjoyed many family vacations throughout Canada, often wherever the Canadian Dental Association Conventions were being held and throughout the USA eventually settling in Florida as their winter home. Our parents travelled worldwide, including China, Thailand, India and Europe. After our Mom’s passing, Dad was thrilled to travel to Ukraine meeting many relatives some who resided in our family’s villages.

Dad always kept busy around the house and yard tending to his flowers and fruit trees which gave hours of enjoyment. In the fall, he would harvest the fruit and make his wine which he happily offered to anyone that would come by to visit. He enjoyed duck and goose hunting with his friends and later involved Mark and Jamie.

For the last 20 years, Dad enjoyed spending his retirement in Grand Cayman. Where we came to visit in the winter months and he would travel back to his favourite place, his home in Selkirk to spend his summers with family and friends. As a result of declining health from dementia, he moved back to Selkirk. During visits, family were struck by his sense of humour and his storytelling remained strong.

Prayers will be held at Gilbart Funeral Home, 309 Eveline Street, Selkirk on Friday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, November 16 at 10:30 a. m. at Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church, Sophia Street at Pacific Avenue, Selkirk with Father Walter Dudych officiating. Lunch to follow at Holy Eucharist Hall. A private family interment will follow at a later date in the family plot at All Saints Cemetery, Rivercrest.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honour his memory may donate to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, Selkirk Regional Health Centre Foundation, Manitoba Lung Associaton or a charity of one’s choice.

The family extends gratitude to the Comforts of Home - Care and all the caregivers that attended to him which enabled Dad to remain in his home, the paramedics, emergency ward, Medicine 3 and palliative care at Selkirk Regional Health Centre for their kind, compassionate and excellent care of our Dad and Father Walter Dudych for his spiritual guidance.

Vichnaya Pamyat

Everlasting Memory

Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements

Tributes: www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 09, 2024, Nov 09, 2024