Obituaries

RUDOLPH (RUDY) DUSIK

August 11,1931 – May 15, 2020

With broken hearts we announce the passing of our husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and treasured friend, Rudy Dusik at the age of 88 on May 15, 2020 the day after his great granddaughter’s birth, at home with his family by his side.

Rudy is survived by his wife of 65 years Joyce, his children Doug (Joanne), Brian (Margaret) and Jodi (Kevin Sharpe), as well as ten grandchildren Travis, Ryan and Anthony Dusik, Tawni (Chris Baker) and Kendyl Lauzon, Michael, Matthew (Jasmine Masse) and Laura Sharpe, and Benjamin and Adam Dusik. He is also survived by four great grandchildren Warren and Faron Sharpe, and Owen and Ellie Sharpe. Also left to survive him are his sister in law Jolana Dusik, brothers Joe (Doreen), Irvin (Marilyn), Vick (Jude) and numerous cousins. He had a special friendship with cousins Mike Balazovic, George Bossuyt and Hubert (Bernice) Kleysen. Rudy also leaves to mourn brothers in law and sisters in law, Margaret Ross, Isabelle Bossuyt, Lorne (Polly) Bossuyt, John (Bev) Bossuyt, Vic (Vivian) Bossuyt and Donna (Rodney Burns) and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents James (Jim) and Florence, brother Jerry, mother and father in law Archie and Marie Bossuyt and brothers in law Rod Ross and Connie Bossuyt.

Born the second of five sons to immigrant parents, Rudy learned at a young age both the value and expectation of hard work, family, faith, community and lifelong learning. Growing up in Oak Bluff, he appreciated and respected farming life and the value of a hard-earned dollar. He married his high school sweetheart in 1955 and together they built the family home and raised a family, taking pride in their yard and being present in all community functions and endeavors. They moved to the Fort Whyte area in 2017. Rudy was an electrician and worked at Canada Cement (LaFarge Ltd) for 35 years retiring as a Plant Foreman. An electrician first and foremost, but he was a Jack of all trades. There was nothing he couldn’t fix or build. He helped to build or renovate all of his children’s homes. His tool belt readily at hand with a motto of learning by doing.

There was nothing Rudy enjoyed more (aside from dancing with Joyce), than being part of his children and grandchildren’s lives, cheering them on at sporting events, school functions, babysitting, and in later years “supervising” a car being fixed or a project being built.

Rudy spent his life giving to others. Volunteering of his skills and time was important to him. Helping a friend harvest a crop, helping to build the Oak Bluff Community Centre, decades of being a minor hockey referee and baseball ump, and sitting on numerous church committees over the years. Both Rudy and Joyce were the recipients of the Municipality of Macdonald Volunteer award in 2014. Rudy was a very proud member of the Knights of Columbus of St. Vital Parish and was active on the church fundraising and finance committees attending his last meeting in March 2020. He was also a Eucharistic Minister for many years, only stopping in recent months when he physically could no longer fulfill his duties.

Round and Square dance groups brought great joy to Rudy and Joyce for over 32 years. The friendships they have made over those years have enriched their lives to this day. It was common that they would attend a dance function three or more times a week. The only break from dancing was a winter trip, no longer than three weeks so as not to be away from their children and grandchildren for too long. They cruised 16 times to the Caribbean, Hawaii and Alaska, and travelled to European countries several times to square and round dance with favorite destinations being Austria, Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

Thank you to Rudy’s health care team over the years, Dr. C. Fletcher, Dr. Milner, Dr. Gingerich and nurse Cheryl, the Wheels of Hope Volunteer drivers of CancerCare Manitoba, to all the nurses of the Fort Garry Home Care office especially Lily who’s kindness and support will not be forgotten and to Health Care Aide Dauda who’s compassion was so comforting in Rudy’s final days.

A friend to all, he left this world a better place. Donations in Rudy’s memory can be made to CancerCare Manitoba, the Oak Bluff Cemetery c/o Box 456, Oak Bluff, MB R0G 1N0, or to a charity of your choice. As a family, we would encourage you to extend your hand to someone in need, volunteer and simply make a difference to someone, just as Rudy has to all who have known and loved him.

Respecting the restrictions of COVID 19, Funeral Mass will be live streamed on Saturday May 23, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Please see the St. Vital Parish website, https://www.stvitalparish.ca/ to view the service. A drive by procession will follow in the Oak Bluff Community Centre parking lot from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Interment will be at a later date.

To those I have left behind. You held my hand. I felt your strength. I was not alone.

2 Timothy 4:7-8  I have fought a good fight. I finished my course. I have kept the faith.