JOSEPH (JOE) SWIRSKI

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JOSEPH (JOE) SWIRSKI Sadly, Joe passed away peacefully at the age of 97 on July 16, 2010 at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Gimli, MB. Although we will miss him immensely, we take comfort in knowing he lived a long and happy life. Joe was born on the family farm at Matlock, MB January 1, 1913 to Nikolaj and Michalena Swirski where he lived until his marriage to Blanche Spulnick on October 17, 1937. They started their own mixed farming operation in 1938 at Matlock where they lived and raised their family. Joe was a bulk dealer with Shell Canada for 35 years. After Shell consolidated, his dealership with Gimli, he made a lifestyle change leasing out the farm land and going to work at the dealership until his retirement. 1997 brought major changes when they moved to the Rotary Towers in Gimli, and he enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle for his golden years. Joe was a long time member and volunteer at Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church, the Matlock Recreational Club, and the R.M. of St. Andrews fire department. He was the bingo caller at Matlock for many years. Joe was fun loving with people of all ages and liked to travel to Edmonton, Montreal and Vancouver to visit family and winter escapes to Texas with friends. But most of all he loved supporting and spending time with the family. He had a big heart with a special place for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joe was predeceased by his parents Nikolaj and Michalena Swirski; daughter Angeline; son Joseph in infancy, all his brothers John, Alex, Mike, Walter, Frank Harry (in childhood) and one sister Mary Mazur. Joe will be lovingly remembered by Blanche, his devoted wife of 72 1/2 years; son Glen (Joan) of Sherwood Park, AB; son-in-law Lou Laferriere of Steinbach, MB; grandchildren Tanis (Roberto Villa) of Montreal, PQ, Mark (Betty) Laferriere of Mitchell, MB, and Jeannine Swirski of Edmonton, AB; great-grandchildren Emma and Marcel Laferriere, and Marco Villa; one sister Helen (Lloyd) Kreamer of Selkirk, MB and sister-in-law Josie Swirski from British Columbia. A celebration of Joe's life will be held on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church in Winnipeg Beach, MB. Honorary pallbearers are Ron Mazur, Lorne and Roger Swirski, Bruce Kreamer, Ken Swirski and Gayle Swirski. Flowers are gratefully declined. Should friends so desire, donations in Joe's memory may be made to a charity of your choice. VICHNAYA PAM'YAT Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 20, 2010