CHLEBAK, Thomas A. (Tom) passed away May 10, 2017 at the age of 92 with his loving family by his side. He was predeceased by his four brothers and three sisters and is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Doreen Lozynyc(Tim), granddaughter Krystin Lozynyc(Daniel & Jayden Boudreau) and grandson Mitchell, along with some dear sister-in-law’s and brother-in-law’s and many dear nieces and nephews.
Born on September 24, 1924 to Jon (John) and Maria (Mary) Chlebak in KolaAkov, Czechoslovakia, now known as Slovakia. As a young man Tom was trained as a tailor. He served in the Czechoslovakian army for two years. Tom came to Canada in 1949 and was sponsored by his extended family in Toronto, Ontario. He stayed in Toronto for two years but wanted a change and moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba where he continued his sewing career. In the summer of 1952 he met a beautiful woman, named Mary and they were married on November 29, 1952. In 1961 they had a daughter named Doreen. They were a happy family with good times and bad times, like all families. The sewing industry in Canada changed in the 1970’s slowly moving out of North America, so Tom decided to leave his tailor/sewing career, he became employed with CPR as a machinist. Tom worked at CPR for eighteen years, not missing one day until retirement, at which time he enjoyed their family home, reading, and gardening and spending time with Mary and family at their beautiful cottage in Grand Beach. Tom loved planting and tending to the trees at Whispering Pines.
In 1996 Tom and Mary left Winnipeg to follow their daughter Doreen and husband Tim, along with grandchildren to Coquitlam, British Columbia. They purchased a beautiful condominium at Princess Gate and thoroughly enjoyed condo living. Tim and Doreen are ever so grateful for her parents leaving Winnipeg to be with them to watch the grandchildren grow up and all stay together as a family.
Unfortunately Tom suffered with spinal stenosis since his late 60’s and became wheelchair bound in 2010 (at the age of 85) and had to enter Eagle Ridge Manor. Tom lived at Ridge Manor for another six years (where Mom and Doreen and family visited as much as they could) until he passed on May 10, 2017. We would like to thank Ridge Manor’s many wonderful nurses, aides, doctors, nurse practitioners, kitchen staff, housekeeping staff, social worker, and administrator, who took care of Dad and our family until the end.
Tom lived a long happy life and was a kind, caring, hardworking, loyal individual, who loved his family and God. He will be sadly missed by his wife Mary, daughter Doreen (Tim), granddaughter Krystin (Daniel & Jayden) and grandson Mitchell. We love you Tom, Dad, and Grandpa, May You Rest in Peace.
In lieu of flower donations, a donation can be given to the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice.