EDWARD GRABOWSKI

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Edward (Ed) Grabowski, 93, on Monday, March 21, 2011 at Rainycrest Long-Term Care in Fort Frances, Ont.
Ed was born Nov. 16, 1917 in the RM of St. Clements, Man. to the late Nicholas and Katherine Grabowski.
He will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Ann, of 66 years; son, Ron and wife, Diane, of Fort Frances, Ont.; and daughter, Shelly Douglas and husband, Allan, of Winnipeg, Man.
He also leaves behind four special grandsons, as well as four great-grandchildren: Chad Grabowski and wife, Melissa, and their children, Lucas and Addison of McKinney, Tex., Dean Grabowski and wife, Stacey, and their children Ariel and Isaac of Winnipeg, Man., Branden Douglas and his wife, Suzanne, of Winnipeg, Man., and Dustin Douglas of Winnipeg, Man.
Ed also is survived by his three brothers, Frank and wife, Nancy, of Calgary, Alta., Stanley and wife, Lena, of Fort Frances, Ont., and Joe and wife, Jean, of Winnipeg, Man.; and one sister, Gladys and husband, Steve Bronevitch, of Winnipeg, Man.
Ed grew up on the farm in Manitoba, married in 1944, and later moved to Fort Frances, where he worked various jobs and eventually retired from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
A big part of Ed’s life was spending time on Lake Despair, building the family cabin and fishing with family and friends. He also enjoyed carpentry, gardening, hunting, dancing, curling, and playing cards.
Ed was a hard-working man and built many homes in Fort Frances, and greatly enjoyed helping his friends with their carpentry needs.
At the time of his death, Ed resided at Rainycrest for the past four months. Prior to that, he resided at Columbus Place, where he had many special friends and enjoyed the gatherings in the Common Room. He loved company and was so happy when friends stopped by to visit.
He also enjoyed his twice daily walks to the Sister Kennedy Center to visit many friends. His daily coffee visits were of utmost importance to him, and he continued this routine for many years until his health no longer would allow him this pleasure.
 Ed was totally devoted to his wife and they spent many wonderful years together enjoying time at the lake, building their homes together, travelling to visit family, and, most of all, just being with each other.
He was extremely proud of his children–Ron and Diane and Shelly and Allan were all very special to him and he was always there for them in his quiet and unassuming way.
Chad, Dean, Branden, and Dustin (who Papa lovingly referred to as his “four boys”) were the light of his life–he could not talk about any of them without a little tear of joy in his eyes.
He always said how “good” the boys were and thought they were the best grandsons he could have had. He talked endlessly about their achievements in life and how proud he was of the wonderful young men they had become.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 10 a.m. at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances.
Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service.
The pallbearers will be Ed’s grandsons, Chad, Dean, Branden, and Dustin, as well as Stan Blasky, Ernie McKelvie, and Dennis Krause of Lillooet, B.C., who unfortunately can not attend.
If family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your choice c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhome/fort frances.com
May dad rest in peace knowing how much he was loved.