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JOE GRABYS
Born: May 25, 1934
Date of Passing: Mar 31, 2013
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryJOE GRABYS May 25, 1934 - March 31, 2013 Joe passed away at home on Easter Sunday morning with his wife, Bunny, and his niece, Terry, at his side. Joe was predeceased by his parents Monika and Valentinas, and his in-laws, Margaret and Jack Miller, as well as all his siblings - Juze, Stase, Stephanie, Anthony, Justinas, Levute, Valentinas, and Jean. He is survived by his wife, Bunny; in-laws May and Sid White, brother-in-law Ernie Federas. Joe was the much loved Uncle of Leta and Barry (Lisa), Eddy, Jo-Anne (Nicky and Bobbi), Valerie and Christopher (Keltie and Heather), Donald and Terry (Willy, Braydy, Sydney), and Regina, Robert, Elena, and Victor (in Australia). Joe also had many relatives in Lithuania, Australia, the UK and the US. He was blessed, as well, with many good friends from different parts of Canada, the States, and abroad. Joe was born in a rural farming community in Lazdininkai, Lithuania, in the turbulent years leading up to the Second World War (1934). In 1944, when he was 10, the family escaped into Germany in order to evade the advancing Russian army. Joe, his parents, and three sisters were the only ones to successfully leave Lithuania. At one point, Joe was separated from his family and was on his own for three months. He was finally reunited with them and they were placed in refugee camps. At the end of the war, they were moved to a different camp where Joe tried to pick up his education. In total, Joe had perhaps thee years of formal schooling (in short spasmodic stretches). Between the years from 1945 to 1950, the family worked at trying to emigrate. The two older sisters moved to Australia in 1948, and his remaining sister to Canada in 1949. In 1950, because of sponsorship laws, his father moved to Australia while Joe and his mother moved to Canada, with the intent that his father would come to Canada when Joe was old enough to sponsor him. Unfortunately, his father died before this could come about. Joe worked at a number of entry level jobs, but moving forward all the time in assuming more responsible positions. When he decided he would like to further his education, he got a job with CN (flexible shifts) and enrolled in night school (Daniel MacIntyre), taking some required subjects and challenging the exams of German, Math and Physics. Upon completion of grade 11, Joe applied for admission into The University of Winnipeg where he accomplished most of his under-graduate studies. He then transferred to the University of Manitoba where he attained a BSc and a BEd. He began teaching in 1968, in the St. James School Division. The schools he taught in were Brooklands, Deer Lodge (where he met Bunny), St. James Collegiate, John Taylor, Ness, and Silver Heights. Joe and Bunny spent most of their married life in Woodhaven in the "house that Joe built". Many happy times were spent there with friends and neighbours. And - not to forget their two Shelties - Kandi and Amber! Joe was a very prominent member of the Lithuanian-Canadian Community of Winnipeg. He worked on the construction of the church (St. Casimir's) which was the centre of Lithuanian culture in Winnipeg. Joe was very active in all the activities - dance groups, summer camps, Folklorama, summer picnics, fundraising bazaars, welcoming and helping new immigrants to the community, and was president of the community until the time of his death. He will be missed. Joe loved his Bombers (season ticket holder for 30 years), curling, skiing, travelling, cards, and playing golf, which he took up upon retirement. Bunny and Joe travelled extensively and upon retirement bought a winter home in Mesa, Arizona, where they had many happy times and met lots of new friends. He was even able to spend four months there this past winter, arriving home only 10 days before his passing. Bunny would like to thank the palliative care unit in Charleswood. They are incredible! I truly believe that if they had to move mountains - it would be done. Terry, Don, Jo-Anne and kids - there aren't enough thanks in the world to handle all you did for Uncle Joe and me. Mano mylimasis, kol mes vel susitikime. Prayers will be held on Monday, April 8, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. in Holy Ghost Parish, 341 Selkirk Avenue with reception to follow at Chapel Lawn. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 885-9715
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 06, 2013
Condolences & Memories (16 entries)
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Remembering Joe, through our Lithuanian church building, folk dances, bazaars, picnics, always helpful, always fun. With fond memories and sympathy to you Bunny - Posted by: Sally Slay, ( Daubaras/ Smaizys) (Lithuanian friend, dance group member Wpg.) on: Apr 16, 2013
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Dear Bunny, I have so many great memories of both you and Joe at the Lithuanian Pavilion at Folklorama and in the Lithuanian community-kaldunai, dancing, mead and so much more. May great memories of Joe keep him close at heart. Thinking of you and wishing I could have been there to attend the funeral and give you a great big hug. - Posted by: Lisa Saladin (Daubaras) (Friend ) on: Apr 16, 2013
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Mr. Grabys was one of my favorite teachers; he taught me Grade 12 math back in the 70's!!!! I also remember "Bunny Miller" from Deer Lodge. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know he touched a lot of people, many of them former students. - Posted by: Suzanne Turenne (former student) on: Apr 08, 2013
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My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Joe was a strong and caring man. Keep the good memories alive. - Posted by: Jacquelyn Heeney (Friend) on: Apr 08, 2013
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Our sympathy to you Bunny for your loss. - Posted by: Ken and Sharon Cyr (Pine Falls, Manitoba) on: Apr 07, 2013
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What an amazing life story and inspiration to continue learning. I never met Joe personally but I heard many interesting stories about him from my mom Lee who did his feet. - Posted by: Korina Fischer (Manicurist's daughter) on: Apr 07, 2013
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Bunny, so sorry to read of Joe's death. My thoughts are with you. I have many memories of Joe from curling. - Posted by: Audrey Fulham (friend) on: Apr 07, 2013
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Bunny, I was so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. How nice that you were able to have one more winter with him in Mesa. May your good memories sustain you at this sad time. - Posted by: Bernice Heinrichs (friend) on: Apr 07, 2013
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Bunny, we met your sister at the airport on Friday and were very sorry to hear about Joe. Our thoughts are with you. - Posted by: George & Doreen Buchholz (Friends) on: Apr 07, 2013
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And in all things...Give Thanks...for the privilege of knowing a strong, determined, gentle, kind, loving soul named Joe. May Almighty God grant Bunny comfort in her grief, and all those who grieve with her. - Posted by: Lee Fischer (Friend) on: Apr 07, 2013
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My condolences to Bunny and your dear family. Joe will be remembered as a lovely man who was dedicated to his profession and students. - Posted by: Rick Strongman (Friend and former colleague.) on: Apr 07, 2013
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Bunny we are so sorry to read about Joe's passing. It was my good fortune to have taught with Joe and you and I go back a long way. I know you two had a wonderful life and those many great memories are sure to make the time ahead just a little easier. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you from Kelowna on Tuesday. Take care. - Posted by: Lorne and Sue Lisik (Friend) on: Apr 06, 2013
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Joe was a very good and kind hearted frind. I will truly cherish our friendship forever. I always looked forward to my Christmas gift from Joe and Bunny. Bunny never forgot me when she baked her once in a lifetime shortbread cookies. - Posted by: Richard Funk (Co-worker and friend) on: Apr 06, 2013
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We will always remember well the fine person that was Joe. So happy we had the chance to visit with him a few years back in Mesa. He had such a positive outlook on life that he also passed on to his students during his teaching career.Joe was a person filled with love, determination, and good will. It was our privilege to have known him. - Posted by: Gary and Pat Hamilton (friends) on: Apr 06, 2013
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We are so sorry for your loss, Bunny. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. - Posted by: Aila and Rudy Janzen (friends) on: Apr 06, 2013
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Dearest Bunny Our Sincere Condolences to you and your family. Joe was an amazing fellow who we loving referred to as "Uncle Joe". Cancer may have taken Joe away from us too soon, but Cancer did not take away the love and memories we will always have of him. Cancer is so limited.. It cannot cripple love. It cannot shatter hope. It cannot corrode faith. It cannot eat away peace. It cannot destroy confidence. It cannot kill friendship. It cannot shut out memories. It cannot silence courage. It cannot reduce eternal life. It cannot quench the Spirit God Bless, Ronda, Phil, Katherine and Russel. - Posted by: Ronda Pfeiffer (Friend of the family) on: Apr 06, 2013
