Roderick John Medwick

1953 - 2022

It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Roderick Medwick, after a lengthy illness, while surrounded by his family on September 15, 2022 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Roddy was born to John Medwick and Helen (nee Rapino) on December 3, 1953 in Fort William, Ontario.

He married his high school sweetheart; Brenda Chlebovec on September 30, 1972.

Roddy enjoyed watching sports and cheered on his favourite teams; the Toronto Blue Jays, Vancouver Canucks and New England Patriots. While always having a fresh batch of pasta sauce on the stove, Roddy always looked forward to Sunday football and was eager to put his football picks in and make as many bets as he could. He enjoyed playing cards and gambling whether it be at the casino or with his good friends. Over the years, his favourite get-aways with Brenda were to Las Vegas and Florida.

In his down time, he would be relaxing with a novel by either Stephen King or Dean Koontz which he had read every one at least once. He was ‘Papa' to his grandchildren and loved watching all his favourite horror movies with them. He also enjoyed telling his family many of his ghost stories, where we never tired of listening to him tell them over and over again. Any activity or sport his children and grandchildren participated in, he was always there to cheer them on.

Roddy was the President of the Thunder Bay Junior Baseball League and the President of the Westfort Maroons Hockey Club, where he coached with his cousins Danny Thompson and Jeff Hay.

Roddy had a keen sense of business and even from his first job as a paper boy he managed to have his friends do his paper routes for him for a small fee, while still managing to make money.

After high school, Roddy started his railway career with CN Rail as a car checker and then hired on with CP Rail working as a switchman and working in many leadership roles during his 36 years of service. Roddy enjoyed his time at CP Rail, where he made many long-lasting friendships. After his retirement, he developed and instructed a Railway Conductor Training Course at Confederation College. Due to his extensive railway experience and knowledge, he was most recently employed by Cando Rail & Terminals Ltd., where he became Regional Superintendent of Northern Ontario.

Roddy is survived by his mother Helen, his loving wife Brenda of 50 years, his children Nancy Boyd (Marc), Ian Medwick (Leanne) and Jill McLeod (Mark).

He also leaves behind his precious granddaughters; Findlay, Ava and Isla, Emma and Sarah, Brooklyn, Ava and Mila, as well as his bonus grandchildren Jack and Claire, and Jordan.

He is also survived by his sisters Donna Phillips (Gary) and Lorie Spicer (Rod), sisters-in-law Beverly Dove (Randy) and Karen Chlebovec (Calum Robertson) and brothers-in-law David Rabachuk (Tracey) and Kevin Chlebovec. Also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Roddy was predeceased by his father; John Medwick, father-in-law; John Chlebovec, mother-in-law; Ann Prestash and most recently his best friend and cousin Jeff Hay.

The family invites you to Roddy's Funeral Mass on Friday, September 30, 2022 at 10:30 am in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Archibald St., celebrated by Rev. Msgr. P.M. Stilla V.G. Following the Mass, we invite you to a luncheon at the Da Vinci Centre on Waterloo St. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed to the Blake Funeral Chapel Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/BlakeFuneralChapel.

A private family interment will be held at a later date.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Pro Kids, George Jeffrey Children's Centre or any other Children Foundation of your choice.

On-line Condolences may be sent to
www.blakefuneralchapel.com