SHIMANSKY, John Thomas - Passed away on December. 4, 2016 at the Welland Hospital Site surrounded by his loving family. John was born October 30, 1946 to Fred and Jennie Shimanski. He lived his childhood years with his sisters Marlene and Sharon and cousin Shirley Beck in the Mathews School neighbourhood , where he made so many life-long friends. After he graduated from Eastdale Secondary School he joined the Canadian Navy and served on the HMCS Kootney in Halifax for eight years. To this day, Dinger and his shipmates call him “Sam”. He has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #4 for the past 30 years. The call of his hometown brought him back to live out his remaining years in Welland. As fate would have it, John fell in love with Victoria Yarema and her children Asia and Jessica, so they built a life together. As the years passed another miracle blessed John when his daughter Vanessa found him after years of searching and became a loving part of their family. John volunteered for the Southend Neighbourhood Committee coaching children’s co-ed baseball for many years. He enjoyed annual fishing trips over the last 25 years in Foleyet Ontario with his fishing buddies, including his brothers-in-law, Freddie and Steve. What stories they could tell! John enjoyed playing poker, betting horse races, playing golf and was an avid fan of the Oakland Raiders football team. He spent many vacations enjoying the hot weather in Mexico. What was most important to John was family and he always prayed to the Angels to watch over his children. A devoted “Papa” who never missed the chance to spend time with his grandchildren, whether it was camping, going on outings with Annabell, attending Brodie’s hockey games or Nyla’s gymnastics competitions. Prior to each event Papa would tell Nyla to “stick it” as an encouragement for her amazing success. His hockey advice for Brodie was “the NHL wants play makers that can pass the puck and score not just players that can score”. His youngest grand-children, Lauren, Kylee and Kaleb were the apple of this eye. And so it is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of this wonderful person who will be missed by his loving spouse, Victoria (aka My Rock); his children and their families – Vanessa Shimansky (Brian Jones), Annabell and Kaleb; Asia and Chauncey Morabito, Brodie and Nyla; Jessica and Taylor Letwin, Lauren and Kylee. John was a devoted and loving member of the whole Mester family including Les and Irene Mester and the families of Leslie & John, Steve and Joline, Fred and Linda, and Greg and Gayle. Respecting John’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, December 12, 2016 at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #4, Morningstar Avenue, Welland from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. In lieu of flowers – give your family a hug from John. John’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff from the Emergency Room and the I.C.U. from the Welland Hospital Site for their care and compassion. Online condolences available at www.cudneyfuneralhome.com
"Love you all"