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GERALD WALTER RODNISKI
Born: Dec 22, 1941
Date of Passing: Dec 22, 2020
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GERALD WALTER RODNISKI
December 22, 1941 – December 22, 2020
He is survived by David (nephew); Jennifer (niece); Jason Claydon (nephew); brother-in-law Robert Claydon; sister-in-law Nancy Fennell, and numerous cousins.
Gerald grew up in the north end on Magnus Avenue and then Kilbride Avenue. He enjoyed telling stories of those early years, when his parents hosted CN Rail Christmas parties in the 1960s to large family and Christmas Eve dinners in the 1970s and 80s. He was a magical Santa to his niece and nephews.
As a teenager, he joined the military cadets. Upon graduation from West Kildonan Colligate, his mother gave him three career choices: join the army, become a teacher or be a priest. He took much joy in telling this story. He graduated from teacher's college in 1964 and it was at Wellington Elementary, he met Maureen Fennell. They married in 1981, until her death in 2017. Gerald travelled to Las Vegas, Caribbean Cruises and his favourite destination, Hawaii. He retired in 1991 at the age of 50.
Gerald relished celebrating family celebrations and hosted countless Sunday brunches and dinners over the years. He loved football and the Blue Bombers.
Gerald had a great sense of humour, with an indelible laugh that will be missed.
Last year, he settled in to Deer Lodge and then into Beacon Hill Lodge. Sadly, his journey came to an end, on his birthday, December 22, 2020. He was a favourite "Unck" to David, Jennifer and Jason. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
Eternal rest grant unto him
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
To sign the book of condolences,
please visit:
www.voyagefuneralhomes.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 16, 2021
Condolences & Memories (1 entries)
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Mr. Rodniski - He was my grade-five teacher at Faraday School (1971). For each month of the school year, he would create a Calendar page on one of the large blackboard panels in our classroom. (full array of colors, decorative drawings, special fonts, all hand-drawn: truly a work of art) He filled all the special days with little doodles relating to the day. I remember enjoying those Calenders, and I missed not having them when we advanced in grades. I didn't realize it at the time, believing that I was just a regular kid like my peers, but I was what we now refer to as 'at risk youth" Part of my situation necessitated that I remain at school during the lunch hour. There was no such thing as a lunch program at the time. Mr. Rodniski's notification of this was, me standing beside his desk in the morning telling him, "I have my lunch with me and I'm supposed to stay at school during the lunch hour." After some discussion with his Principal, he offered this solution... "There is a lunchroom for staff, you wouldn't want to eat in that room, I don't, I eat here in my classroom. You're welcome to join me." So each day we spent the lunch hour together. We had many long conversations, I remember a lot of them. I didn't realize it at the time, but Mr. Rodniski was fighting like hell on my behalf to ensure that I had all the opportunities to succeed. He did more for me than any other student, and I had no idea how much he had my back. I never had a chance to thank him... until now. Thank you, Mr. Rodniski, you were a more amazing hero than you were given credit for. Rest in Peace. - Posted by: Joel Spearman (former grade five student) on: Jan 17, 2021
