Obituary of DONALD ALBERT JAWORSKI

Donald Jaworski

March 24, 1961 – February 13, 2023

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Donald “Donnie J” Jaworski on February 13, 2023, at East Gate Lodge Personal Care Home at the age of 61.

He is predeceased by his parents, Albert and Jean Jaworski and Father-in-Law Alvin Goodman. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 42 years, Judith, their daughter Janine and sons Trevor (Andrea) and Wesley, his pride and joy: grandchildren Julia and Michael, his sister Darlene, brother Gary (Tracey), his Mother-in-Law Patricia Goodman, a very large extended family and many friends made along the way.

Born in Winnipeg, MB, Don, played in the streets of the North End and attended Champlain School then St. John’s High School. He spent summers, weekends, and Sunday dinners at the “Ponderosa” (farm) in East Selkirk, Mb. enjoying time with his sister, brother, and cousins. He would ride the Chaparrel motorcycle, play football, ride bicycles and fish at the creek.

The summer of 1979, while at The Ponderosa, Don would meet Judith Goodman, after crashing a party down the road.  In July 1980, Judith and her friends would crash a party at The Ponderosa and the rest is history. They married November 22, 1980, and just celebrated their 42^nd anniversary.

Don and Judith spent the 80’s having children; welcoming Janine in 1981, Trevor in 1984, and Wesley in 1989. They would take the kids on numerous adventures all over; short trips to Jack’s Kozy Korner or Lanky’s for ice cream, to the wrestling events and Blue Bomber games in Winnipeg. Then there were longer trips to West Hawk Lake during the summer or to see “The American Cousins” in Minnesota.

Don was proud to be a part of building both houses that The Jaworski Family called home, from digging the basements right to the final coats of paint, Don was there diligently working during all his free time. Around the yard, Don was often found in his patented white dress shirt and tie combo fixing something under the riding lawnmower or with a chainsaw in a tree.

At age 16 he started what would become his lifelong career, at Safeway. He moved around the north end to different stores. In the 1999, he came to the newly built Selkirk store, where he remained until his stroke and eventual retirement.

In July 2010, tragedy struck The Jaworski family when Don had a stroke; he was 49. There were many difficult days but, somehow, he managed to keep his sense of humour throughout it all and marked July 28^th as “Happy Death Day”. He worked hard at his physio and learned to walk again but his body would eventually fail him, he was accepted into care. Judith followed him everywhere; she transferred jobs from Selkirk to Gimli Mb and sold the house, when he was in Gimli Personal Care Home, then retired to take a job in Beausejour, Mb, when Don was sent to East Gate Lodge Personal Care Home. She would follow him anywhere.

During these difficult years, Don would receive a new reason to live as he became “Papa” to his grandchildren Julia and Michael. Julia would often climb up his wheelchair to sit on his lap and, at age 4, Michael proved to be as strong as his father by pushing Papa in his wheelchair telling Judith “No, Amma, I do it!”

In his later years, Don became more adventurous answering “yeah, sure” to anything that we asked him. At this time, Judith became well acquainted with Ticketmaster and the accessibility seating taking him to concerts, Goldeyes and Blue Bomber games. He was a passionate sports fan you could often hear him call out “Go Jets, Go” and “Go Bombers, Go” down the halls at East Gate.

He left this world exactly how he wanted, quietly, peacefully, with Judith by his side. May we all be relieved and content knowing that Don is finally out of pain and at peace.

“Beyond the suffering you’ve known, I hope you find your way...

May you never be broken again”