Obituary of Wesley SAMETZ

WESLEY HENRY SAMETZ It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father, grandfather, brother and uncle on March 28, 2009 at Seven Oaks General Hospital. Dad will be sadly missed by his son Greg (Nancy) and grandsons Garritt and Graydon of Winnipeg, daughter Brenda Franke and grandsons Louis (Dale), Brian, Jason of Portage la Prairie, Duane of Winnipeg, great-granddaughters Talia and Elizabeth of Portage. Also surviving are brothers, Morris (Marie) of Abbotsford, BC, and Paul (Joan) of Parksville, BC, brother-in-law Mike Moroz of Winnipeg, sisters-in-law Jean Tarnowski of Winnipeg, Nell Ciembronowicz and Estelle Horzempa of Rockford, Illinois, Judie Sametz of Abbotsford and many nieces and nephews. Dad was predeceased by his beloved wife Jean (Tarnowski), brothers, Ernie and Fred and sister Mary (Wolfe), and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law in both Canada and the United States also predeceased him. Dad was born on April 5, 1917, the eldest child of Peter and Annie (Pododworny) in the Keld region west of Dauphin. He received his early education in the Gilbert Plains area, proudly completing his Grade 12 in 1934; a somewhat uncommon practice for rural farm boys at the time! In 1936, he graduated from Brandon Normal School with other well-known educators. He started a teaching career (which would span more than 40 years) in a grade 1-3 classroom in Wilfred School in the Gilbert Plains region and in a rural school north of Roblin. From 1941 to 1945 he served with the Winnipeg Grenadiers in the Pacific Command. During this time he married the love of his life, Jean, on November 25, 1944 in Winnipeg. Their happy years together ended with Mom's passing in October of 1988. Dad studied in the late 1940s earning his B.A. from the University of Winnipeg (United College) and then a B.Ed. from the University of Manitoba. Mom faithfully supported his studies with her work at the T. Eaton Co. Dad's high school teaching career began in a one-room school in Lyleton, MB followed by principalships in Ethelbert, Winnipegosis, Oakburn and Rivers all in Manitoba. His love of teaching mathematics placed him back in the classroom in Harrison High in the Brandon S.D. and then on the first staff of the new Crocus Plains Regional High School. He retired from the Brandon S.D. in June of 1976. A highlight of both teaching careers of Dad and Greg was being able to teach on the same staff in adjacent classrooms at Harrison in 1974. Dad was an active and respected member of the community and in his chosen profession wherever it took his family. He was an avid curler, and successful gardener. He loved to spend time fishing in search of the big ones and he was at peace with nature tramping through the forest in search of wild mushrooms or wild berries. We will always be grateful to our dad for instilling in us the importance of education, the pride in one's heritage, the unbridled love and support of one's family and the value in having a good sense of humour. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff of St. Joseph's Residence, 1149 Leila Avenue for their care and support of our Dad during the last decade of his life. This was an entirely appropriate place for him to make his home. God Bless You All! Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, April 2 at 2:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street in Winnipeg. Interment will take place at the Brandon Cemetery (18th St. South) the next day, Friday, April 3 at 1:00 p.m. in Brandon. A gathering of family and friends will take place at the Days Inn, 2130 Currie Boulevard in Brandon immediately following the interment. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Residence, 1149 Leila Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2P 1S6. 586-8044