Obituary of JOSEPH LESKOVJAN

JOSEPH LESKOVJAN

August 10, 1932-April 3, 2019

Peacefully on April 3, 2019, after a lengthy illness, Joseph Leskovjan passed away at the age of 86 years old.

He is survived by Anna, his wife of 56 years, sons Joseph (Sonedary) and Frank (Marie) and granddaughters Jessica and Ryanna.

Joseph was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Frances, and siblings Mary, Frances and John.

Joseph was born in Karolinka, Czechoslovakia on August 10, 1932. He did not have an easy childhood as his early years were spent living in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia. He eventually came to Canada, via West Germany, as a displaced person. He initially landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia and from there he settled in Pine Falls, Manitoba where he worked in a logging camp. While there, he started learning English by using a Czech-English dictionary and translating between the two languages. Shortly afterwards, he moved to Winnipeg and he met, befriended and worked with others who had arrived in Canada under the same circumstances. He held several jobs and eventually found employment at the CPR Weston Shops where he worked as a Carman for 40 years before retiring in 1993.

While in Winnipeg, he met his wife Anna and they were married in 1963 and they raised their two sons in their North End home. He worked the midnight shift while at CPR which allowed him to be at home during the day to raise his sons while Anna worked. When Anna got home, he would be able to rest before going to work for his midnight shift.

He was fond of nature and had a love for all animals, in particular dogs, birds and horses. There were many dogs at home throughout his life and the additional companionship they brought gave him great joy. He would also feed the birds and was quite happy to see them gather in the front yard. When growing up, he would help with the horses his family had and one of the families he met when he first arrived in Pine Falls raised horses.

We would like to thank all of our friends and home care staff that provided support to our family during his last years. This allowed him to spend his last years at home surrounded by love.

Rosary will be said on Thursday, April 11 at 9:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church, 341 Selkirk Avenue. Interment to follow in Holy Ghost Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society.