Bill Komadowski

It’s with heavy hearts that the family of William Komadowski wishes to announce his peaceful passing on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the age of 93. We are deeply saddened and will forever miss our dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa.

He was pre-deceased in 2019 by his beloved wife of 67 years, Eleanor.

Bill is survived by sons Jack, Jim (Jeannette), and Tom (Tammy), and daughter Kathy; grandchildren Nadine (Corey), Shawn (Jen), Kaitlyn (Zach), Hope and Justin; great-grandchildren Matthew, Cameron, Evan, Kayla, and Alexa, and Damon; cherished friend Betty; sister Vicki Bialek; sister-in-law Rose Myslicki; brother-in-law Edward (Cecile) Myslicki; as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Grandpa was born in Beausejour MB, on Aug 10, 1930, and proceeded to build his home and life on a farm just outside of town. He married Eleanor, the love of his life, in 1952 and they continued on to have four children. While Grandpa accomplished an extensive career at Canada Packers, eventually retiring after 33 years, his heart and soul belonged to his family farm. Grandpa’s farm encompassed many different elements over the years, including raising cows, pigs, and chickens, to eventually moving to mainly grain farming, consistently surrounding the homestead in fields of blue flax blooms and golden wheat stalks. Grandpa worked the farm for many years with his brother Florian, and enjoyed sharing his memories around Sunday dinners, bonfires, and family celebrations. Memories of hot, dusty, harvest days, stubborn farm animals, and evening field suppers with coffee served in jars, will live on in all of us. 

Grandpa also loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting rabbits as a young boy and eventually moved on to hunting larger game, such as deer and moose, with his buddies. We spent many family weekends camping and fishing together up near Wendigo. 

Grandpa enjoyed driving around the area to his secret spots and foraging what he could, depending on the season. He loved looking for pussy willows and lady slippers, frying up morels and pidpenky, collecting hazelnuts and plums, and picking blueberries with grandma. One of his proudest moments was when he created his homemade blueberry picker out of an old juice jug and a metal refrigerator rack-this increased the blueberry haul that year, and him and grandma sat for hours outside, under the maple trees, cleaning the blueberries and enjoying each others company. Later, grandpa would enjoy taking his grandkids strawberry picking at local berry farms, always stopping on the way home for a container of cream and a loaf of fresh bread for strawberries and cream. 

Grandpa loved to be busy. He could often be found with his glasses on, a set of small screwdrivers on the table, and a bottle of crazy glue nearby. He had an affinity for repairing watches, clocks, and music boxes, but would tackle any fix-it project-plates, remote controls, small engines…if he couldn’t fix it, he would modify it to work in a different way!

As grandpa grew older, and headed into full retirement from the workforce and farm life, he found joy in new adventures. Him and grandma were members of the local senior center for many years. He enjoyed playing in their card and crib tournaments, even heading to the seniors provincial crib tournament a couple years in a row. We would tease him about the prizes, as they were usually only $2-$3, but the pride in his voice was evident! He joined casino bus tours to Club Regent and enjoyed the seafood buffet at South Beach. 

Grandpa enjoyed planning and tending his large garden, always vowing that he was NOT planting one next year (however, he did still have plans for this years garden before he passed away.) There would always be potatoes, onions and dill to make creamed potatoes, lots of cucumbers, and pumpkins for the kids. Grandpa’s garden always had extra and he would invite family and friends to come help themselves! 

Grandpa had many recipe books, and he enjoyed baking and cooking when he was able! He enjoyed using his bread maker to make fresh bread weekly for family dinners, and cinnamon buns for a treat. He would make jam, refrigerator pickles, rhubarb cake , pies and soup. 

Grandpa gave us all amazing memories to hold close, right up until the end. While his mind was just as sharp and stubborn as it’s ever been, his body just wasn’t able to keep up. We’re thankful that he’s free from pain and frustration, and reunited with his beloved Eleanor. We can only imagine the party that greeted grandpa on the other side when he passed, full of best friends, and loving family. 

Thankyou to the friends he made at Lion’s Lodge, the many home care workers, the staff at Beausejour Hospital and Selkirk Hospital, the paramedics with the Beausejour Ambulance, and Extendicare Red River Place. We are forever grateful for the care, companionship, and support you gave to grandpa over the years.

At Grandpa’s request, cremation has taken place and a private family interment will occur at a later date. 

“We cried when you passed away,

Although we loved you,

We couldn’t make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

Hard working hands at rest,

God broke our hearts to prove to us

He only takes the best.”