FATHER JOSEPH SUROVIAK Father Joe passed away quietly and peacefully in the morning of November 2, 2007. Born July 20, 1925, in Indiana, USA, Joe was raised in Czechoslovakia. Having survived the Nazi occupation, he was forced to flee when the Communists took over. He got to refuge in Vienna in 1949, and there was offered a chance to come to Canada. He became a proud Canadian citizen. Joe began his study for the priesthood in St. Norbert, in 1953 and was ordained 49 years ago in Hamilton, Ontario. He began working as a parish priest in Holy Ghost Parish in Winnipeg (1959 - 1964), in Elphinstone, MB (three years), then Rose Valley, SK (two years). He joined the Archdiocese of Regina, and worked at Ituna (1969 - 1971), Carlyle (till 1981), Gerald (till 1985) and Whitewood (till retirement). When Joe retired 12 years ago he came to live in Winnipeg where he filled in for other priests until his health failed him. Joe was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Katherine (Mores) Suroviak, and three siblings, Anna, Bernardina and Jan. He is survived by his sister, Mary, in Slovakia; his cousin Mildred Klochan of Whiting, Indiana, and many nieces and nephews in Slovakia and the USA, as well as his Canada Family , Sheila and Bill Burland, Pat (Elaine), Doug (Cindy), Siobhan Burland Ross (Chris), Shannon Gunter-Smith (Brock), and his godson, David Joseph Burland. A special thank you must be extended to the nurses and doctors of the Health Sciences Centre those on GD 4, in the Emergency Ward and in the Renal Clinic. Their care and concern eased Joe's last days. A special thank you to Dr. Lisa Miller and nurse Allison Lindsay for their kindness and compassion. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, November 6, at St. John Brebeuf Roman Catholic Church, 1707 John Brebeuf Place, at 11:00 am with cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice in Joe's memory. The Coutu Family in care of arrangements: E.J COUTU CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald Street 253-5086
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 05, 2007
