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Jerry Brasko
January 19, 2017
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<div itemprop="description">JERRY J. BRASKO <br> <br>It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Jerry J. Brasko. Jerry passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Thursday, January 19, 2017 at the Health Sciences Centre. <br> <br>Jerry leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 11 years Anne. He was predeceased by Mary T., his wife of 50 years. Jerry leaves to cherish his memory his children, Melanie (Richard), Christine, Pauline, Jerald (Cindy), Katherine (Stephen), and Cassandra; grandchildren, Matthew (Elizabeth), Mark, Derek (Shannon), Carlene, Joelle, Colt, Jace, Rylee (Daniel), Easton, Garrett, Ethan, Paige and Veronika; and great grand-child Joshua. He is also survived by his sister Anne (Mike), sister Luda (Stano), many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Pavlina (nee Sedlakova) and Emil Brasko; and sister Martha Kopecka. <br> <br>Jerry was born on April 5, 1931 in Sipkove Slovakia. Before being forced to the communist army at 18, he left his home November 26, 1949 in search of a country where he could be free. It was within this journey, a year and half of travels across Europe, he left Germany and ended up on a ship called S.M. Nelly out of the London Port England arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia. On May 28, 1951 he became a Canadian Landed Immigrant. He chose a train bringing him to Winnipeg to work in Arnot on a sugar beet farm untill August 1951. Moving to Winnipeg, he started working with metal, working at Dominion Bronze, Western Tools and Western Iron Works. <br> <br>At Dominion Bronze, Jerry worked the day shift for pay and the night shift for free to learn more of the steel trade and improve his English. He met Mary thru the Slovak community and married July 24, 1954. In 1956 Jerry headed north for 6 months to the DEW Line (Distance Early Warning) at the Arctic Circle, erecting 800 ft. towers, learning even more of the metal trade. Jerry received his Canadian Citizenship March 1, 1957 always standing proud as a Canadian Citizen. In 1961, Jerry began small jobs in his garage, his main business was making house railings in East Kildonan. Needing to expand work space, he purchased a 1 ½ acre piece of property at 111 Burnett Avenue where we are still manufacturing today. <br> <br>Jerry and Mary founded TATRA Ornamental Iron Works Ltd. in February 1962. TATRA was chosen as the name reminding Jerry of the Tatra Mountains in the homeland that he had left, TATRA has run successfully for over 55 years, and has had an integral part in Winnipeg’s Skyline. Jerry always wanted projects to remain and be built by Winnipeg manufacturers rather than looking outside the province, and never said no to a difficult or impossible idea. His innovative designs will remain as a reminder of all his hard work, determination and beliefs. In 1992 he received the BUILDER OF MANITOBA AWARD in recognition of 30 years of outstanding support of Winnipeg Construction Association. Jerry supported the WCB for 55 years, noted as one of the longest standing members. On April 28, 1998, Jerry received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Citizenship Council of Manitoba Immigration for volunteer contributions to the International Centre translating Slovak for new immigrants. He received the DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD Co-operation Education Partnership Program from Transcona-Springfield School Division. Jerry also received an HONORARY LIFE MEMBER of the River East Royal Knights Hockey Club, one of only four given, and noted that he was a member of the first executive serving as Executive V.P. In 2002 he was an Honored Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II GOLDEN JUBILEE MEDAL by the Governor General of Canada. Created to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the ascension of the Queen to the Throne, this award is given to those who have made outstanding and exemplary contributions to their communities. <br> <br>Driven by his love of soccer Jerry founded TATRA FC Soccer Club in 1969 and continued until 1984. Jerry and the family were active members at the Visitation of Our Lady Slovak Church till its close in 1996. As lifetime members of the Slovak World Congress, it allowed Jerry and Mary to travel and see the world abroad while having a strong involvement with the Slovak community. They were invited to the 2000 Diplomatic Forum held in Winnipeg as representatives of TATRA Ornamental Iron Works Ltd. for the Private Sector of Manitoba. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus East Kildonan “4107”. On October 14, 2010, Jerry was presented with a HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP for the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba for untiring efforts, personal sacrifice and dedication. <br> <br>In 2005 he married Anne (Cernansky) Himick, Jerry found that the human heart is large enough to love again and found a wonderful lady who matched him in his adventures and travels all over the world. She has become part of this family and is loved dearly. Jerry provided us all with the courage to be strong, to be proud of our heritage, never give up what we believe in, to work hard and accomplish our goals. He gave us the gifts of family, honour, strength, duty, love and laughter. <br> <br>A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, January 30th, 2017 at 11:00am at North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church, 1315 Gateway Road with Father Gerry Ward officiating. Viewing will begin at 10:00 am. A reception will follow. Jerry will be laid to rest in the Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens at 4000 Portage Avenue at 3:00 pm. <br> <br>Pallbearers will be sons-in-law Richard LaPage, Stephen Kuklica; grandsons, Matthew LaPage, Derek Ferreira, Colt LeBlanc, Mark LaPage. Honorary Pallbearers; grandsons Jace LeBlanc, Easton Brasko, Garrett Kuklica, Ethan Kuklica, and Daniel Martynenko. The family would like to thank the entire staff of the Health Sciences Centre for their care of Jerry. In honour of the passing of the co-founder of TATRA Ornamental Iron Works Ltd, the company will be closed Monday, January 30, 2017. Flowers gratefully accepted or donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 200-6 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB, R3L 0K6. <br> <br>“He never looked for praises, <br>he was never one to boast, <br>he just went on working, <br>for the ones he loved the most. <br>His dreams were seldom spoken, <br>his wants were very few, <br>and most of the time his worries, <br>went unspoken too. <br>He was there…a firm foundation, <br>through all our storms of life, <br>a sturdy hand to hold on to, <br>in times of stress and strife. <br>A father we could turn to, <br>when times were good or bad, <br>one of our greatest blessings, <br>the man that we call Dad.” <br></div>