WILLIAM ‘SAMBO’ FEDORUK

William “Sambo” Fedoruk passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital in Thunder Bay, Ont.
Sambo was born March 24, 1925 in Gardenton, Man. to Sam and Lucy Fedoruk but moved to Fort Frances, Ont. as a boy.
Sambo joined the Ontario Minnesota Pulp & Paper Company in 1941 and worked there for three years before joining the Royal Canadian Navy in 1944, serving in both Canada and Europe.
He was discharged from the service in 1946 and returned home to start his career at the paper mill, where he worked in various departments, including the yard, the boats, and later joined the millwrights.
Sambo retired with more than 45 years of service with the company in 1987.
Sambo had a great hockey career for many years playing in Fort Frances and Warroad, Mn., and was given the chance for a few NHL tryouts. He was well-known for his hockey skills and sportsmanship.
The highlight of his hockey career came as captain of the Fort Frances Canadians team that won the 1952 Allan Cup—the senior hockey championship in Canada.
The Allan Cup win brought national prominence to Fort Frances for senior hockey. The team was recognized with its induction into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and, more recently, the renaming of the Memorial Arena, where they won the Cup, to the ’52 Canadians Arena.
While Sambo had many hockey achievements, his true joy was his family. Sambo’s beliefs and family values are evident with the strength and closeness of his seven children.
The best of times were spent with family and friends at Sambo and Esther’s cabin at Bears Pass, where everyone is welcome. With seven children, 14 grandchildren, and now two great-grandchildren Sambo loved it when his whole gang was up the lake.
In his later years, Sambo enjoyed watching sports on TV, gardening, fishing, watching his grandchildren’s activities, and morning coffee meetings with friends.
Sambo is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Esther; his children, Sam (Ricki) Fedoruk of Quesnel, B.C., Ken (Nathalie) Fedoruk, Janet Fedoruk (John Busch), and Karen (David) Green of Fort Frances, Ont., Donna (Jeff) Doman of Guelph, Ont., Lori (Cliff) Enns of Moorhead, Mn., and Patricia (Brian) Curtis of Emo, Ont., 14 grandchildren, Carmen, Camille (Dewly), Kasey, Peter, Greta, Travis (Joanna), Jason, Mathew, Samantha, Sara (Jordy), Amanda, Hillary, Kailey, and Dylan; and two great-grandchildren, Cadence and Duke.
Also surviving is his sister, Mae Fedoruk; brother, John Fedoruk and wife, Cassie; brother-in-law, Lindy Wallen; and nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Sam and Lucy Fedoruk; and sister, Lena Wallen.
A service of remembrance was held Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, with Pastor Jacob Quast officiating.
Interment will take place in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances at a later date.
The honourary pallbearers were Sambo’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Church of the Lutheran Hour or the Brain Cancer Foundation of Canada, 620 Colborne St., Suite 301, London, Ont., N6B 3R9.
We love you and will miss you, Dad (Guido)!
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com