Stanley Sawicki

Stanley William Sawicki of Lethbridge, beloved husband of the late Dorothy Sawicki, passed away peacefully on January 7, 2010 at the age of 84 years.

Stan was born June 29, 1925 in Calgary, the first child of Ukrainian immigrants, William Sawicki and Mary Kumka. He was raised and schooled in Calgary, then studied at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, receiving his bachelor of education degree in 1946. He began his teaching career in Bellevue and moved to Stirling in 1948 before accepting a position in 1950 with the Catholic school district in Lethbridge, where he would spend the rest of his life. He initially taught high school at St. Joseph's Girls School and later transferred to St. Francis Boys School in 1957. During the summers, he continued his studies at the University of Alberta and received his master's of education in 1958. When the boys and girls schools merged to form Catholic Central in 1965, he became its first principal - a post he held for 16 years until his retirement in 1981. During his career, he inspired and impacted an entire generation of students, as well as countless teachers, colleagues and parents.

Stan's dedication to education continued into retirement. He was elected to the Holy Spirit school board in 1998 and served several terms, including a lengthy stint as vice-chairman. He also worked part-time as a tutor in the Lethbridge Community College's Learning Center, and taught a History of Education course during the University of Lethbridge's summer term. More recently, he was delivering field tests in local schools for the Alberta Department of Education and volunteering in the Lethbridge Public Library's Read-On program until he became seriously ill last month.
Stan possessed a lifelong love of drama and theatre. He caught the acting bug in high school and continued performing in university and early in his teaching career. While performing in the Lethbridge Playgoers' production of ""You Can't Take It With You"" in 1951, he was struck by a young woman playing the character of a teenaged girl who wants to be a ballet dancer. Thus began his courtship of Dorothy Ascroft, which led to their marriage in 1953 and 44 wonderful years together. In retirement, Stan re-kindled his love of theatre, performing in several local productions in Lethbridge and Foremost.

Stan was fiercely proud of his Ukrainian heritage. Immediately after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989, he travelled to Eastern Europe with his best friend, Bob Koep, and established contact with relatives who had been silenced for decades behind the Iron Curtain. Beloved by his newfound cousins, he returned to the Ukraine five times. In 1991, during one of his excursions, he diverted to Vienna, Salzburg and Prague for several days to participate in the 200th anniversary of the death of his favourite composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He was a voracious traveler - always up for an adventure, be it a well-planned international journey or a snap decision to fly to Vegas with the boys.

Stan was a man of intense faith. His involvement in the Catholic church was a cornerstone throughout his life. He was an active member of Assumption parish for decades and served several times on the parish council. For many years he represented the southern parishes on the Bishop's Diocesan Pastoral Council, and in 1994 he was honoured with the Diocesan Award of Merit. Among his most fulfilling work in the church was co-leading the parish's bereavement group, in which he helped dozens of grieving individuals and developed many close friendships.

Above all else, Stan valued his family and friends. He was profoundly affected by the loss of Dorothy 12 years ago, but it only served to bring the family closer together. He was a wonderful and dedicated father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother, uncle, cousin . . . his death leaves an indescribable void, one that can never be replaced. He made friends quickly and effortlessly with his easy-going, jovial manner. He loved people, and was as comfortable engaging in deep intellectual debate as he was visiting with a child. He had a kind word for everyone he met - except perhaps the arrogant leaders of big business or government - and a way of bringing out the very best in people. He was gentle, patient, compassionate, tolerant, generous to a fault, and unfailingly upbeat to his final breath. The ravages of terminal cancer may have broken his body, but proved no match for his spirit.

Stan is survived by his two daughters, Kathy Ressler (Bill) and Mary Jean Aubin; two sons, Stan (Jennifer) and Ken; four grandchildren, Candice Aubin-Lam (Simon), Brad Ressler (Amy), Gina Ressler and Madeleine Sawicki; sister, Doreen Wurzer (Keith); brother-in-law, Bob Costanzo; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

Besides his loving wife Dorothy, Stan was predeceased by his parents, William & Mary Sawicki; brother Robert; parents-in-law Charles & Katharine Ascroft; sisters-in-law Betty Sawicki and Frances Costanzo; and sons-in-law Gerry Aubin and Les Higa.

Vigil Rites (Prayers) will be held at 7:00pm on Monday, January 11, 2010 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4 Street South, Lethbridge, led by Francis and Cybele Noronha.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 - 12 Ave South, Lethbridge, with Father Tim Boyle, celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Catholic Central High in support for the Stan Sawicki Memorial Award, 405 - 18 Street South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 3E5.