JOHN DUCHNICKI

Don’t cry for me, I’ve lived a good life, is what I told my daughter Josie as we waited for the ambulance on Aug. 11.
For the next two weeks, I was in the capable and caring hands of the staff of La Verendrye Hospital until I passed away in my sleep on Aug. 25.
I was born in 1915 in Fort Frances on the day Mrs. Zamalinski’s cow calved, or so I was told by my parents Sophie and Michael. I was baptized on Dec. 28, 1915 at St. Mary’s Church. I told my son, Tom, I’m already one hundred—you do the math.
I lived all of my life North of the track on our family property between McKenzie and Victoria Avenues; first with my parents, brother, and sisters, and then with my wife of 70 years, Lena (Ossachuk), and our children and grandchildren. I was fortunate to have always been surrounded by many generations.
I entered the work force at a young age, working at the movie theatre and then the arena. When I was 15 years old, I lied about my age in order to get a job at the paper mill where I worked on the railroad for the next 50 years.
I always said, you make a living working the first eight hours of the day, the second eight is how you become successful. My second eight hours a day was filled with building houses and cupboards, cutting wood, and sharpening lawnmowers.
I leave behind to cherish the many happy memories: my daughter, Josie, and her husband, Luke Schill; son, Tom, and wife, Rochelle; grandchildren Monica and husband, John Sus, Bridget and husband, Bob Dobransky, Chris and Caroline, and Allyson and husband, Greg Kyle; great-grandchildren, Erica, Adam, Heather, Steven, Paul, Jessica, Grace, Jamie, and Charlie, and to make it five generations, great-great-grandson, Reef.
I also leave behind my neighbour and brother-in-law Nick Mutz.
I hope to be re-united with my wife, Lena, my siblings, Walter, Emelia Mutz, and Mary Kingerski, and many others so dear to my heart.
I was fortunate to have lived a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life right until the end.
Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Fort Frances, Ont. with Father Victor DeGagne officiating.
An Honour Guard will be provided by the Knights of Columbus.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary or the Community Chest.
Online condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com.