Obituary of LAWRENCE THOMAS KOWALCHUK

LAWRENCE THOMAS KOWALCHUK It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lawrence Kowalchuk on Sunday, January 4, 2015 at the age of 82. Lawrence leaves behind to cherish his memory, his devoted wife of 49 years, Rosaline. Lawrence will be lovingly remembered by his brothers and sisters, Magdalen, Adolph, Gertrude, Isabelle, Edmund, Julia, Bernard, Anton, Josephine, Arthur and Chester along with their spouses and children. He will also be missed by Rose’s brother and sisters, Leo, Evelyn and Mabel, their spouses and children. Lawrence was predeceased by his parents, Julian and Karoline Kowalchuk; as well as, brothers, Emil and August. Lawrence was born on March 3, 1932 on a farm in Tiny, Saskatchewan near Canora. He attended school in Tiny and Canora and graduated high school from St. Joseph’s College in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Lawrence met Rose when he was hired to teach at Earl Grey School just north of Winnipeg. Rose’s parents farmed near the school and Rose’s sisters were students of Lawrence’s. Lawrence went to get his cheque signed and it was Rose’s dad that had to sign it for him and that is how Rose and Lawrence met. After a respectable courtship, Lawrence and Rose were married on May 22, 1965. Lawrence attended Teachers College in Winnipeg and was hired by the Winnipeg School Division in 1961. He devoted many hours to studying at the Universities of Winnipeg, of Manitoba and of London to obtain his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education Degrees. He taught at several schools before his retirement from Faraday in 1987. Lawrence was proud of his accomplishment of obtaining his pilot’s license and thoroughly enjoyed a passion for flying as a pastime. He was a caring person who put family first and was generous with his time. His many nieces and nephews could always count on his support and a little fatherly advice. Pallbearers include nephews, Leonard Bugera, Corrie Kowalchuk, Trev Kowalchuk, Howard Kowalchuk, Jeffrey Faschauner, Matthew Mrozek, Joshua Mrozek and Adam Nocita. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at St. Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church, 3597 Main Street, West St. Paul at 10:30 a.m. with interment to follow at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens, 4477 Main Street, West St. Paul. Concelebrants will be Father Michael Wollbaum and Reverend Monsignor Louis McCloskey. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.