JOSEPH EDWARD NESPOR

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JOSEPH EDWARD NESPOR July 6, 1923 - September 26, 2015 Our hero is gone. Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa passed away after a short illness on September 26, 2015. He is survived by his sister Mary, his sons Harley, Ralph (Donna) and daughter Cindy. He is also survived by his grandchildren Kristian (Chelsea), Courtney, Cory, Kristy (Dan), Jodi (Brian), Rikki (Brandon) and Brett, and two great-grandchildren Aribella and Skilyr. Dad was born in Hertnik, Czechoslovakia July 6, 1923 to Anna and Bedrich Nespor. In 1926 our grandpa left his young family and travelled to Canada to find work to provide for his family. Grandpa remained in Canada for 10 years and saved enough money to bring Grandma and Dad to Canada in 1936. They purchased a small farm in Sprague, Manitoba and life in Canada began for a non-English speaking 13 year old boy. When Dad turned 18 he wanted to do his part in the war effort because of the effect it had on his relatives back in Czechoslovakia. In 1942, Dad enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and in 1943, after basic training, he was posted to Macdonald, Manitoba for gunnery training. After his training, he was granted a King's Commission and was designated as a Pilot Officer. In the fall of 1943, Dad was sent to the European Theatre and was assigned to Coastal Command. There Dad joined 422 Squadron in Northern Ireland patrolling the North Atlantic in a Sunderland EK591. It was on their first mission that the crew was involved in the sinking of a German Submarine U625. After the war Dad met Vivian Burnside, whom he married on August 26, 1949. They would share the next 64 years together until her passing in 2014. On October 28, 1945 Dad started to work for the Manitoba Department of Mines and Natural Resources as a Conservation Officer and progressed to Chief Forest Ranger for the Eastern Region and then Regional Supervisor for the Eastern and Interlake Regions and finally the Director of Regional Services during his career. In 1986, after 41 years of service to the Department, Dad finally retired. Fittingly, in 1990, he was named "Wildlife Officer of the Year" by the Shikar-Safari International. Dad was also an exceptional athlete. From his love of soccer as a young boy in the old country to hockey, baseball, fastball, curling and golf there wasn't a sport that Dad couldn't master. As a curler Dad won numerous curling bonspiels in north-eastern Manitoba and in 1964 was the Provincial Runner up while representing the Lac du Bonnet Legion #164 which he became an Honorary Life Member in 2014. He organized and coached the Lac du Bonnet Little League Baseball program and moved on to coach the local Huskie Fastball Club. When living in Winnipeg he was instrumental in establishing a Junior Men's Fastball program with great success. Dad coached the Winnipeg Junior Colonels and the St. James Assiniboia Optimists' to numerous Provincial Championships and a third place finish in the Canadian Junior Men's Fastball Championship in 1977. In 2014, Dad was inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame. When Dad retired he took up the game of golf and had tremendous success in the Manitoba Society of Seniors Games winning silver or bronze medals on numerous occasions. In 1987 Dad became a member of the Pinawa Golf Club winning the Senior Men's Club Championship three times plus the Lac du Bonnet Men's Open tournament. Most of all, Dad's accomplishments were secondary to the people he met. Whether it was co-workers, friends, his golfing buddies or the young men he coached, he felt privileged that he could be part of their lives while doing the things he loved to do the most. For everyone that was a part of Dad's life we thank you. He was a special person and you enriched his life more than you will ever know. To Dr. Hanna, the family would like to thank you for taking care of Dad these last few years. Words are not enough. To the staff of the Pinawa Hospital, we cannot express how grateful we are for all the help and kindness Dad received while in your care. There are too many to thank, but to Jenn from Seven Sisters, Robertson, Jinu and Dad's little girl Simmy everything you did was much appreciated. To Dr. Garg your compassion, caring, dedication, consideration and devotion to Dad's well-being will forever be in our hearts. You have a kind and gentle soul. Dad's life was about family, his greatest sense of pride were his grandchildren and the accomplishments they had in athletics and academics. He was there for every inning, period or graduation ceremony. He will still be there in their hearts. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Dad's name to the Lac du Bonnet Community Centre, or a charity of your choice. A family interment will take place at a later date. SOBERING FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM, Beausejour (204) 268-3510 or MB Toll Free 1-877-776-2220 www.soberingfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Oct 8, 2015

JOSEPH EDWARD NESPOR Peacefully after a short hospital stay, Joseph Nespor, aged 92, passed away on September 26, 2015. Joe was predeceased by his wife Vivian in 2014. He is survived by his sister Mary, his sons Harley, Ralph (Donna) and daughter Cindy. He is also survived by his grandchildren Kristian (Chelsea), Courtney, Cory, Kristy (Dan), Jodi (Brian), Rikki (Brandon), Brett as well as two great grandchildren Aribella and Skilyr. Thank you to the doctors and staff at the Pinawa Hospital for their care and compassion. Longer notice to follow. SOBERING FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM, Beausejour 268-3510 or MB Toll Free 1-877-776-2220 www.soberingfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Oct 1, 2015

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 08, 2015