ANDREW JONATHAN MICHALUK

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ANDREW JONATHAN MICHALUK

It is with a broken heart that I announce the passing of my son, tragically on January 20, 2025, in Winnipeg. Andrew was surrounded by family and friends in the final hours of his life, giving us a chance to express our deep love.

Andrew was a precious gift born to Dianne and Gary Michaluk on Sunday, February 28, 1982, at the Minnedosa Hospital.

As a little guy, he travelled to the warm climates with his parents and in 1999 to Japan with schoolmates, and later to Scotland to meet his cousins.

From an early age, it was evident that Andrew had a passion for life: for his family, for his friends, and for all sports: soccer, rugby, volleyball, basketball, golf, and in particular, hockey! At age 6 playing for the Minnedosa Bombers and then the high school Chancellors, and right up to the time of his death he continued to be at the rink. Andrew suffered two concussions in October and could no longer play the game he loved, but he continued to go to the rink, open the gate and cheer his fellow players on.

Andrew attended Tanner’s Crossing elementary and Minnedosa Collegiate Institute, where he developed lifelong friendships, and many good times! His religious classes were at St. Alphonsus Church. He attended St. Emile Catholic School for his grade 4 year. He played on the Greendell Falcons hockey team in St. Vital that year. This is where his love as a goalie began.

In 1999-2000 the Minnedosa Chancellor‘s hockey team, the soccer team and the rugby team all won their provincial games! A very exciting time followed by high school graduation in 2000.

Andrew attended one year at U of M before being called up to the radiological diagnostic program at Red River College. Graduating in September 2003 as a medical radiological technologist. Andrew did his practicum in Brandon General Hospital. His first position was at Boundry Trails Hospital in Morden. He coached the Morden peewee girls for two years. He bought his first home in Morden.

Moving to Stonewall he lived with his Uncle Don and became one of the coaches for the boys high school team the Stonewall Rams. He proudly coached the Rams for nine years and made lifelong friends.

In March 2008, he transferred to Seven Oakes Hospital diagnostic department. Andrew loved working in this department and enjoyed his colleagues. He remained working there up to the time he had a catastrophic fall coming off shift. He never let his colleagues down, working all the extra shifts, totally reliable they stated, and enjoyed working the night shifts.

Andrew played in the league hockey teams at the Canlan (Highlander) rink. He managed and played on the Legends year round and on the Aristocrats and the Bottom Feeders. Summer hockey with the Don Cheerios. Sunday nights for 15 years he played at the Winnipeg Winter club hockey rink rec team Siggy skate with many of his friends.

His friend Troy stated he did the stats and found that Andrew played 11,000 games in the league.

At Christmas time, he said he missed coaching and was seriously thinking about looking for a team to coach.

While Andrew‘s gusto for life increased as he matured, the ultimate fulfilment was being a loving son (make a list mom) and an incredible cousin and devoted friend. He was known as Michie to all.

A top notch cook, backyard chef, jokester, volunteer, master host, gardener, animal and bird lover!

Andrew was predeceased by his father Gary in December 2005, grandparents Sadie and John Michaluk, Mary Bartecki, Stan Bartecki, great grandma Mabel Speeder (mini stick hockey in the kitchen), Godmother Aunt Vicky Duma, cousins Dennis Duma, Rick Bronson, many aunts and uncles.

He leaves to mourn his mom, Dianne, girlfriend Debbie Wasilewski-Wake, Aunt Marion and Uncle Barry McDuffe, Uncle Don Michaluk, Aunt Grace Gascoinge, Aunt Laura Lough, Aunt Eileen Bartecki.

His best friends and cousins, Warren and Maureen McDuffe and their boys Brady and Cole, who thought of Andrew as an uncle: Darcie and John Dixon and daughters Sarah, Julia and Hayley: Christopher and Sharon McDuffe and daughter Isla: Jarret McCormack: Darald Duma: Karen Duma and Bernie Tomchuk: Christine and John Wojcik and sons Kyle and Corey: Joan and Cort Clifford: Jordyn Michaluk: Evan Michaluk: Craig and Michelle Gascoinge and family: Joey St. Mars, Angie St. Mars, Leanne Natasi and family: and numerous cousins. Family friends, Heather and Ray Currie and family, Bob Graham and family, Susan Schade and family: the Seven Oaks hospital staff and colleagues.

His lifelong buddies, Chad Moir, Joseph Warwaruk, Corey Parrott, Kevin Betteridge and all the guys and gals on the Legends, Aristocats, Bottom Feeders and Don Cheerios.

Andrew was happy to bring people together, whether it be at the rink, at work, at concerts, or with backyard gatherings. He always created space for those he cared about.

A heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses, the OR team at SICU HSC, and to the Donor Organization for acknowledging Andrew for his Gifts of Life!

Thank you to everyone who bought a tree in Andrew’s honour, we now have a small forest.

Thank you to the staff at Whites Funeral Home, Minnedosa.

A celebration of life will take place at a later date in Minnedosa.

White’s Funeral Home-Minnedosa in care of arrangements.

www.whitesfh.ca

As published in Brandon Sun, Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 15, 2025