Obituaries

GEORGE JOHANN ZHANEL
 
   It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, George Johann Zhanel, on Sunday, December 4, 2016,  at the Heritage Lodge Personal Care Home in Winnipeg, at the age of 79 years after a lengthy illness.   Left to mourn George’s passing are his devoted wife of 57 years of marriage, Henrietta Zhanel; daughter Henrietta Rother and her husband Ted; grandchildren Tiffany along with her friend Trevor Aquin, Ashley and her husband Quinn Morris and Teddy; his son Dr. George Zhanel along with wife Dr. Zuzana Zhanel and grandchildren Stefan and Michael; as well as family friend Mrs. Marie Sichler. He was predeceased by his parents, Marie and Jan Zhanel; brother Jan Zhanel Jr. as well as dear friends Mr. Egon Unger and Mr. Jiri Sichler.      George was born in the Czech Republic where he met and married the love of his life, Henrietta.  Together with their two children, they immigrated to Winnipeg in 1968 where the family still resides. George was an accomplished music professor in his homeland, being proficient in piano,  violin, and his big love, the trombone. Not only did he teach music, he also performed  with a Symphony  Orchestra and played in various bands that toured the country playing at fairs, weddings and national celebrations. In Canada,  George chose to leave teaching  and performing music, changing careers  to provide for his family. His new career included electronics work, where he met his lifelong friends Mr. & Mrs. Jiri  Sichler and Mr. Egon Unger and later worked for himself as a subcontractor delivering various goods. Though George no longer played, music remained a passion and he spent many hours recording his favourites from CBC Radio Canada as well as entertaining the family during visits. He acquired an  extensive music collection over the years which covered the big band era and all forms of classical music. George’s other love was reading and he spent many hours educating himself about world politics and the war years of his childhood. George took great pride in the various trucks he drove over the years, keeping them so clean they looked brand new when he sold them. He loved fishing, taking his family to the beaches of our wonderful province, playing badminton in the driveway, going for long walks to “defoam” the children and barbecuing the most delicious meats. George was also an avid sports fan and enjoyed  watching boxing, car racing, tennis, and hockey on television.  His humour, love and support will be sadly missed.     A private ceremony will be held for the family on Saturday, December 17, 2016 in Wojciks Funeral Chapel, 2157 Portage Avenue @ Sharp Boulevard.    The family would like to thank all that were involved in George’s care and  Doctor Bemmeke  from Heritage Lodge Personal Care Home.    Wojcik’s Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com