Donald Leduchowski
With heavy hearts the family announce the death of Donald Leduchowski, 67, on Thursday, July 5, 2018 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Two days after surgery on a blocked artery, Don suffered a stroke which left him unable to speak and his right side paralyzed. The day he was able to hold and play with his six-month-old grandson Leoric, a blood clot lodged in his lungs. Two days later, he took his last breath.
Don and his twin, Donna, were born in Winnipeg on September 19, 1950. When the twins were six months old, Don’s mother Frances (Pich) joined her husband Peter Leduchowski (Pete the Barber) in Atikokan. Here, the family expanded with the birth of Kathy and Jill.
Atikokan was always home. When he visited his cousins in Winnipeg or travelled, he was always anxious to get back to Atikokan and the bush. He was out “exploring”, fishing, hunting, swimming, water skiing, downhill and cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing whenever possible. To do these activities, Don shovelled the entrance and parking lot to his Dad’s barber shop, delivered newspapers, worked the lift at the ski hill, enjoyed Outers, and spent a summer at Caland Ore where he realized he wasn’t a miner.
Don enjoyed learning. Upon his grade 12 graduation, he became the AV Technician for the Atikokan Board of Education. To become efficient, Don took correspondence courses and participated in as many seminars, etc. as possible. This need to be proficient never left Don. Every new job or interest had him looking for more information. The internet was his best buddy!
In 1975, he started a new career and became a motor vehicle mechanic at Newman’s. During his time here, he married the love of his life, Louise, and became the father of two boys, Michael and Derrick. When Newman’s closed, Don moved to Pluswood where he spent 21 years working his way from board catcher, to dryer operator, to foreman. He spent the last ten years before retirement driving truck: plowing snow in the winter and re-paving the highway in the summer. He truly enjoyed learning new things.
His family was the most important thing in his life. He thoroughly enjoyed interacting with his grandchildren even though they caught more fish than he did! He ensured that his sons, Michael and Derrick, received advice on a regular basis. He also helped them fix their cars and homes. Both boys knew a phone call would result in some helpful suggestions based upon knowledge and practical experience. Helping Jill and Kathy aided the growth of Don’s expertise in these areas.
Don is missed by his wife Louise Leduchowski; his children Michael (Kelly) and Derrick (Sarah); siblings Donna (Fred) Choma, Kathy (Glen) Boyda, and Jill Leduchowski; four intriguing grandchildren: Brianna, Lex, Scarlette, and Leo; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Francis and Peter, and his brother Robert.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 7, at 11 am at Riverview United Church in Atikokan.
A truly practical man, Don would ask that if friends desire to make a memorial donation, they do so to the charity of their choice.
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