Joe Lewadny

1917 - 2001It is with deep sorrow that the family of Joe Lewadny announces his passing at Grandview Lodge on Wednesday August 29, 2001 after a 10-year struggle with Alzheimer Disease. Joe was born on April 2, 1917 in Winnipeg Manitoba, where he was raised until he moved to Fort William in the early 1940's to work at Hawker Siddeley Canadian Car plant. It was there that he met his wife of 56 years, Margaret Covino. Joe was a sheet metal mechanic & riveter at Canadian Car until his retirement in 1982 when he took on his next career - chauffeur to his two precious granddaughters, Beth & Allison, for trips from school to dance classes, gymnastics, skating, school outings, or the sitters. He was often seen with a car load of his granddaughters' friends at Robin's or Macdonald's treating them to donuts or fries. It almost became a ritual every day after school. Joe worked hard all of his life and finished his education through correspondence courses. He was a tough little guy with a huge heart and a tremendous love for children. He was a technical expert in many areas from carpentry, to electrical, plumbing, & even auto repairs. His daughter's very first 2-wheel bicycle was made by Joe from parts he had salvaged and by the time he painted & polished the chrome you'd never know it wasn't brand new. He was the epitome of a father and grandfather never resenting those 2am calls when a car needed boosting at -40 degrees. He married Margaret Covino in August 16, 1945 and just celebrated 56 years of marriage with her this month. He was a long-time member of St. Peter's Church. Joe will be missed deeply by his wife Margaret, his daughter Laraine Tapak (Richard), Thunder Bay; and his son Brian (Brenda), Calgary, Alta (enroute). He leaves a big hole in the lives of his 3 precious grandchildren Beth Tapak, Hamilton (enroute), Allison Tapak, Thunder Bay, and Mitchel Lewadny, Calgary (enroute). He is survived by 2 brothers Peter in Thunder Bay and Nick in Winnipeg; 2 aunts Pauline Lysak, Winnipeg and Lena Ruymar, Vancouver; sisters-in-law Frances (Woodrow) Hawke, Calgary, Annie Pero & Celeste Covino, Thunder Bay; brother-in-law Louie (Merilyn) Covino, Vancouver; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver & Chicago, Ill. He was predeceased by his parents Mike and Anne, sister Mildred, aunt Chris Collins, in-laws Mary & Louie Covino Sr. , sister-in-law Elsie Lewadny, and brothers-in-law Joe Covino and Raymond Pero. Joe will also be missed by his extended family of nursing, kitchen, cleaning & recreation staff at Grandview Lodge where he resided during these past 4 years. There were some special angels in Joe's life supporting his wife, daughter, & son through these very difficult final years -- Annie Pero ( always our strength), Bev Wychopen & family, staff at Confederation College, the Alzheimer Society, the Family Council comrades at Grandview, the Memory Lane Gardens group who continue to work hard to create a safe garden for Alzheimer patients, Dr. Dodick, Dr. Stamler and the nursing staff at McKellar & Grandview Lodge. Funeral Services will be held on Monday September 3rd, 2001 leaving the Blake Funeral Chapel at 9:30 a.m. for Mass of the Resurrection in St. Peter's Church (corner of McIntosh and Connelly) at 10:00 a.m. celebrated by Rev. B.A. Campbell. Services will be complete in the Church. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery at a later date. Prayers will be offered Sunday afternoon in the Blake Funeral Chapel at 3:00 p.m.Donations to the Alzheimer Society or Memory Lane Gardens at Grandview Lodge would be much appreciated. "Thank you Dad for your strength, your smiles and your kisses which were many. You made us strive to be the best, you loved us unconditionally and you never asked for anything in return. We love you so much and will keep you with us in our hearts forever. " Love Your FamilyA tree will be planted in memory of Joe Lewadny in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 23, 2002.On-line CondolencesMay Be Sent to www.tbaytel.net/blakes"