Obituary of WILLIAM JOHN HORODYSKI

William John Horodyski

It is with deep sadness that the family of William (Bill) Horodyski announce his passing on November 14, 2017. He was 92 years old. Bill was cherished by his children: Sandra (Bill), Donna (Jack), Bill, Bernie (Barb), Mary (Alexander), Grace (Michael), and Susan (Laurie) and his grandchildren Jonathan (Lindsay), Jennifer (Paul), Carolyne (Jonathan), Alexis (Erik), Dana, Hayden and Mitchel. He also leaves eight great-grandchildren and is mourned by his sister Helen Phyllis (Ken). William was predeceased by his wife Alma, his youngest daughter Susan, his parents Thomas and Regina Horodyski, his brother Kazimierz, and his sisters Helen and Emily.

Bill was born in Beausejour on November 14, 1925, and he grew up and attended school in town. After working locally for a few years, he moved to Winnipeg and attended business school where he learned shorthand and typing. With this training, Bill obtained work with the City of Winnipeg where he stayed until his retirement in 1984. In the late 1940s, he met Alma and they married in 1952. Bill and Alma were married for 57 years until Alma’s passing in 2009. Bill often said that if he ever re-married, it only would be to Alma.

As a young man in Winnipeg, Bill took courses in Labour Studies at the University of Manitoba and was an appreciative union supporter. He also enjoyed attending big band concerts at the Winnipeg Auditorium and playing cribbage. As his young family grew, Bill’s hobbies changed to stamp and coin collecting. But foremost always in Bill’s life were his wife, children and grandchildren. We fondly remember Dad lacing up our skates at Melrose Community Club and holding on to the bicycle seat as we learned to ride down the sidewalk of Oakview Ave. Also memorable were camping road trips in our Chrysler Newport hauling the tent trailer across the provinces, and the many charcoal briquette barbeques in our backyard. We also enjoyed bus trips to the zoo and to Polo Park for malted milkshakes, and afternoons spent at Birds Hill beach and the Whiteshell. Dad shared in the domestic work and regularly washed dishes, hung clothes on the line, changed diapers and gave us (and our pets) special care when we were ill. Grandchildren remember the comfort of being rocked to sleep by Grandpa in the rocking chair and his pride in them as they grew to adults.

Bill will be remembered for being kind, honest, and fair. His sense of humour was always at the ready and he rarely missed an opportunity to give a compliment. Bill had a firm faith and lived it to the end. Above all, he will be always cherished for his steadfast support of his family.

The family wishes to thank the staff at St. Joseph’s Residence for their compassion. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 21 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church at 341 Munroe Ave. Reception to follow. Private interment in Beausejour. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.