Obituary of Joseph Askinis

Joseph (Jozas) Askinis September 28, 1919 - May 12, 2011 It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Joseph Askinis. After a prolonged stay at the Health Sciences Centre, Joseph went peacefully in his sleep the morning of May 12th, 2011 at the age of 91. Joseph will be deeply missed by his wife of 60 years Anne, children Margaret (Bob), Rita (Marsha), Angela (Bud), Richard (Irene), grandchildren Lindsay (Dave), Mat, Rihana, Kyle, Kristin and great granddaughter Jocelyn along with niece Ruth, nephew Norman and faithful dog Callie. Joseph was born in the village of Svensonis in Lithuania in 1919, but left at a young age to escape Russian occupation and spent most of the war in Germany. In 1948, he immigrated to Canada and spent time working on the railway gangs in North Western Ontario, before resettling in Winnipeg. Joseph was an avid fisherman who loved the great Canadian outdoors and took every opportunity to take the family to a different lake in the Whiteshell Park or Lake of the Woods area. He also enjoyed taking the family on trips to the Rockies, West Coast and other scenic wonders in Canada and the United States. He enjoyed keeping up with current events and political situations around the globe. He was deeply passionate about his homeland, culture and family. Joseph was a talented harmonica player and would entertain family and friends whenever the mood struck him. True to his farming roots, he enjoyed gardening so much that when he and his wife were nearing retirement they purchased a small acreage and built a new home to spend their retirement years working the land until moving back to Winnipeg in 2007. Joseph requested to be cremated and will be buried at Brookside Cemetery. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday May 17th at 11:00 a.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. with Pastor S. Moroz officiating. Interment will be attended by family members before the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Joseph's memory to the charity of your choice. On line condolences may be made on our website www.cropo.com