ANTHONY (TONY) MICHAEL MAKODANSKI

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ANTHONY (TONY) MICHAEL MAKODANSKI August 15, 1938 - January 21, 2019 Tony, a husband, dad, Gigi, son, uncle and friend, left us to join Alice, his loving and beloved wife, on Monday, January 21, 2019 at 6:15 p.m., at St. Boniface General Hospital. Dad had been a hemodialysis out patient there for almost 12 years. He was predeceased by his parents, Anna Szajner and Martin Makodanski, stepfather Walter Szajner and sister Anastasia (Nancy) Leckay. He leaves to mourn his children, Ken (Naomi), Bonnie, Tammy, Marcia and Lisa (Chris) Cleary, his grandchildren, Tyler (Emily), Caitlin (Tyler) Strong; Scott, Bryanne, Kendra (Thomas), Kelsey Acheson; Joshua, Olivia Rushka; Lucas, Ava, Meara Cleary; great-grandchildren, Mia, Ryker Makodanski and Lincoln Strong. Mourning also are his brother Mike (Olga) Makodanski and sisters-in-law, Joanne (Julien) Gerard, Sonya (Lawrence d.) Lenchyshyn, Sally (Dennis d.) Lenchyshyn and Dianne Wallace, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and the many people Dad called friends. Dad was born on the farm in Tolstoi, Manitoba, the youngest child of three. After the death of his father when Dad was 13, he was left to run the family farm and left at 18 for Winnipeg. It was on a blind date that he met and fell in love with Mom and went on to be married for almost 50 years before her death in April, 2007. Dad worked for the Canadian National Railway (CNR) for 39 years. Ken, Bonnie and Tammy were born in the early years of their marriage, and then a 10-year gap before Marcia and Lisa were born. There were many camping trips and Grand Beach days together as a family. Dad spent many years curling in the CNR league at the Fort Rouge Curling Rink. He enjoyed photography and has left thousands of pictures to be treasured. He was dedicated to the church and did many volunteer hours as a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was proud of his Polish heritage and spoke the language with his mother and siblings. At heart Dad was a farmer and happiest working in the fields of the Lenchyshyn farm. Dad loved gardening and together with Mom canned and froze what they grew. Dad and Mom began to travel overseas 30 years ago starting with a trip to the Philippines. Other destinations included Spain, Portugal, Venezuela, the Holy Land, Rome, Poland and Ukraine, the lands of their heritage, and wherever their youngest daughter Lisa decided to live, including South Africa and Australia. Dad and Mom were also honoured to travel to El Salvador with Development and Peace to witness the work of the poor. They also took many road trips across Canada and the USA with their trailer, and sometimes extended family. Despite all of their travels, Dad and Mom's time at their trailer in Pinawa was some of their most valued. Family was extremely important to Dad. Raised like an only child, due to siblings being 11 and 17 years older, Dad was proud to have a large family of five children, 11 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren. Dad was a great dancer. There was dust a flyin' whenever he and Mom did a polka. He loved entertaining us on the accordion in his better days. We love you Dad and we will miss you terribly. The family would like to thank all the staff at Residence Despins and the hemodialysis unit at the St. Boniface Hospital for the years spent caring for Dad. Thank you to all those who offered such kind thoughts and support during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation-Hemodialysis Unit. Honorary pallbearers are Dad's children and grandsons, Joshua Rushka, Scott Acheson and Tyler Makodanski. Prayers will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 with viewing from 6:30 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 847 St. Mary's Road. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 with viewing from 9:30 a.m., also at Christ the King Church. Interment to follow at Green Acres Cemetery, No.1 Hwy. E. at Navin Road. Lunch provided after the interment at Christ the King Church basement. VICHNAYA PAM'YAT GREEN ACRES Funeral Home and Cemetery (204) 222-3241 Condolences may be sent to www.greenacresfuneralhome.com

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 26, 2019