Obituary of SIEGFRIED (SIEGY) SMOLINSKI
SIEGFRIED (SIEGY) SMOLINSKI
With heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Siegfried (Siegy) Smolinski on Thursday, July 9, 2020.
A graveside interment service will be held in August 2020, followed by a memorial service at a later date.
Siegfried (Siegy) Smolinski Siegy was born on November 13, 1929, in East Prussia (Formerly Germany). On March 1945, Siegy avoided the advancing Russian army and landed in Western Germany. Life was a challenge. Siegy moved from city to city searching diligently for work. With a vision for a better future, he immigrated to Canada in 1954. He worked hard, accepting any job offered, until he was able to find a stable job as an auto body painter. 7 years later, in 1963, Siegy started a new career with CP rail which lasted for 30 years, until his retirement in 1993.
1965 was a monumental year for Siegy marrying his soul-mate, June. Together Siegy and June converted an old trailer into a camper, and explored nature’s wonders–hiking, camping, fishing, blueberry picking, boating, etc. near Lee River, White Lake and Nutimik Lake. But they had a dream and eventually purchased an empty lot at Leisure Falls. Siegy was a natural-born self-taught handyman. With only a hand saw, a hammer and June’s assistance, he built their own cottage, which became their refuge from the busy city life; allowing them to spend their weekends together fishing & boating in the summer, and cross-country skiing & snowshoeing in the winter. Siegy enjoyed making furniture, clocks, lawn ornaments etc. His passion was running, and he won numerous medals running half-marathons and races. At the age of 70, he ran his last half-marathon.
In 1991 his wife June passed and his life changed dramatically. Alone, he lost interest in the cottage & recreational activities they shared and sold the cottage. A new chapter opened in his life in 1995 after he met a new friend, Linda Bourgeois at a dance. In 1996 Linda became his new life’s partner and they lived together on St. Vital Road. Together, they enjoyed travelling and country dances on weekends around Winnipeg. Their passion for travelling took them to Hawaii, Brenson, Las Vegas (3 times) and a cruise on the Caribbean.
Siegy’s friends were important to him, and he always looked forward to his Tuesday coffee and tea visits with his CP friends at the Garden City Food Court. One of his passions was his organic lifestyle, and he would proudly proclaim his garden to be the best in the neighbourhood. Their lifestyle changed dramatically in 2003 when Siegy suffered a heart attack and underwent a 3 PL by-pass operation. He recovered and they started walking 5 km every day until he developed hip issues. In 2016 both hips were replaced. In 2014 he was diagnosed with cancer which he battled for the rest of his life. His cancer fight brought Dr. Schacter, Dr.Lin Yank, Dr. V. Dao, Dr. V. Dao and nurse Carry from CancerCare into his life. He was extremely grateful for the care he received and would like to thank them.
2016 brought more changes to their life when they moved to Cathedral Manor. Siegy would like to thank all the staff for the assistance provided, and wished to extend a special thank you to Rhonda Brown and Angel.
Siegy was predeceased by his parents, brother Benno and the love of his life- June (1991).
Left to mourn his departure are his step-children Jo-Anne Wiebe (Ken), Larry Manko (Judy); step-grand daughters Sherri (Bruce), Karen (Casey); step-great-grandchildren Elliot & Holden; nieces and nephew Nancy Vogt (Craig), Anita Krohn, Harry Smolinski (Maureen), and many great and great-great nieces & nephews.
Funeral service will be held at Cropo Funeral Chapel. Siegy’s last wish is to be cremated and his ashes laid to rest beside his love and soul mate, June at Glen Eden.
A special thanks to Germaine, his palliative care nurse who visited him every 2 weeks. Siegy wishes to express his gratitude to the staff at Grace Hospital, with a special thanks to Nurse Angelia who attended to him during his final days.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of SIEGFRIED SIEGY
SMOLINSKI Thursday July 9 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba