Obituary of Thomas KOWALCHUK

THOMAS ALEXANDER KOWALCHUK Surrounded by his family, both present and in spirit, Thomas A. Kowalchuk passed away peacefully in Brandon on March 15, 2011. Left to cherish Tom's memory is his wife of 56 years, Joyce, and their children Fern and Brian Neyedli (Heather and Andrea); Gary and Julie Kowalchuk (Adrian, Chris, and Anastasia) and Sharon Lucovic and Dan Lucovic (Andrew, Sarah and Steven). He will be missed by his sisters and brothers-in-law Joe Tachinski, Anne and Lawrence Romanchuk, Vicki Bingham, Mike Tachinski and Rose Tachinski. Tom was born to Alexander and Mary (nee Unick) on December 21, 1929, and spent his youth in Springfield, Manitoba. He graduated as a Civil Engineer from the University of Manitoba in 1951.Starting with summer employment surveying in the Yukon during his university days, he continued on being an essential part of the team that constructed many of the northern Manitoba hydroelectric projects and then heavy construction projects in British Columbia. Tom and Joyce returned to Manitoba where he worked for the highways department, eventually retiring in Brandon, which became their home with many close friends and great neighbours. Tom loved many things including golfing, fishing and crossword puzzles. He enjoyed camping and spent many weekends camping with his family in the Whiteshell. One of his dreams was to own a lakefront cottage which he built with his family and enjoyed at Royal Lake, Ontario. Tom and Joyce enjoyed traveling over the years and took the time to explore many new countries. They made new and lasting friendships wherever they went. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 12:00 noon at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. A reception will follow, with the interment at the Ukrainian National Cemetery in Springfield, MB. Donations in Tom's memory can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation.