WALTER DUCHNICKI

It is with great sadness that the family of Walter Duchnicki, of 910 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., announces his passing on Friday, March 27, 2009 at Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc. in Fort Frances.
Walter was born July 16, 1914 in Fort Frances to Michael and Sophie Duchnicki. He graduated from Fort Frances High School and started working on the O&M paper mill in Fort Frances in 1938.
He married the love of his life, Katherine (Kay) Grynol, on June 22, 1941. They had two children, Karen and Michael.
Walter served in Canada and overseas in the Canadian Armed Forces for four years during World War II. Upon returning, he continued his employment at the paper mill in Fort Frances, retiring as supervisor of finishing and shipping on July 31, 1979.
Walter was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council #2766 in Fort Frances for many years. He had a deep spirituality, and was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Church all his life. In his youth, he served as an altar boy.
Walter also enjoyed his home and yard, where he spent many happy times with his wife, Kay, and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Walter had a wonderful sense of humour, and always had many intelligent questions for visitors and family. He enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, and gathering details about his six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Walter will be sadly missed and fondly remember by his wife of 68 years, Kay Duchnicki; daughter, Karen (Randy) Anderson of Alexandria, Va.; son, Michael (Dot) Duchnicki of St. Catharines, Ont.; brother, John Duchnicki; and sister, Emelia (Nick) Mutz of Fort Frances, Ont.
Also surviving are his grandchildren, Scott (Stephanie) Anderson and Anne (Scott) Milton of Charlotte, N.C., Teri (Curtis) Buzzard of McLean, Va., Cindy (Doug) Davies of Dryden, Ont., and Lorrie (Darren) Schmidt and Carrie (Paul) Taylor of Niagara Falls, Ont.; great-grandchildren, Samantha, Susanna, and Savannah Anderson, Katie, Caroline, and Anna Buzzard, Alyssa Milton, Chelsea Schmidt, Megan and Allyson Taylor, and Lisa and Tara Davies; sisters-in-law, Jackie Dobransky of Fort Frances, Ont., Hannah Grynol, Jean Grynol, and Tina Porlier of Kenora, Ont., and Margaret Grynol of Thunder Bay, Ont.; and and numerous nieces and nephews.
Walter was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Sophie Duchnicki; sister, Mary Kingerski; brother-in-law, Nick Kingerski; and sister-in-law, Lena Duchnicki.
Mass of the Resurrection was held Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Fort Frances, with Fr. Francis Pudicherry officiating.
Interment will take place in the family plot at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Fort Frances.
Visitation was held Tuesday, March 31, 2009 from 7-9 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances. Parish prayers were offered at 7:30 p.m., led by Rev. Deacon Bob Grynol.
The pallbearers were Scott Anderson, Scott Milton, Chris Duchnicki, Tom Duchnicki, Luke Schill, and Don Kingerski.
The honourary pallbearers were John Duchnicki, Buzz Wickstrom, Nick Mutz, Bill Dobransky, Ed Grynol, Don Koczkur, and Ed Grabowski.
In lieu of flowers, should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made the St. Mary’s Church Building Fund, 206 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont. P9A 2B9 or to a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be offered at www.mem.com.
Christ says that the church reaffirms
That life does not end at death but changes
Vivo autem, iam non ego;
Vivo vero in me Christus.
“And I live now not with my own life
But with the life of Christ who live in me.”
Galatians 2:20