Obituary for Thomas Konderka
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Thomas Joseph Konderka, age 82, on Sunday, March 27, 2022 in Hospice after a short but courageous battle with cancer.
Thomas was born on July 28, 1939 in Fort William, Ontario to Elizabeth and Joseph Konderka. As a young boy growing up in the East End, Tommy spent his days getting into mischief with his best buddies Norman and Billy. If it wasn't fishing or jumping off the coal cars into the river during the summers, it was spent hunting and playing hockey together in the winter. His love of hockey gave him an opportunity when he was called up by the Detroit Red Wings to join their training camp however he turned down a chance to play in the NHL for the true love of his life Millie.
Tom and Millie were married on August 4th, 1962 and had two daughters. He followed in his father's footsteps as a pipe fitter working at Great Lakes Paper for 39 years and retired from Bowater in 1996 as a Mechanical Supervisor. Tom and Millie enjoyed many years of travelling, cruising, watching his grandsons play hockey and granddaughter play basketball. Both Tom and Millie took up skiing later in life, which led to him joining the Canadian Ski Patrol after saving a young skiers life.
Tom lucked out with Millie, as she was from the Big Town of Raith, Ontario population 150 lol... where he inherited a wonderful father-in-law who showed him all the secret lakes and mother-in-law "The Boss" Big Nanny. He continued to enjoy hunting and fishing with his buddies, brothers-in-laws and sons-in-laws for many years. Still slaying the Walleye whether it be on the boat or ice fishing shack with son-in-law Ron and enjoyed hunting for geese, ducks and partridge with son-in-law Scott and there wasn't a bird he couldn't hit.
When they bought their home on Avondale Place he began construction and completion of many projects that he was so proud of. Whether it be the rec room, double garage, sauna and inground pool his ability to think outside the box was crucial and he was told many times that he was an engineer without papers. Tom was also instrumental in and design of the hunting shacks over the years in Dog River and "The Homestead" in Raith.
Tom was well known for his great sense of humour and well known sayings - here are a few of our favourites...
Konderka residence Gruesome speaking, Wine for my men, for we ride at dawn, It's Meeeeeee, Fight nice you guys, Have you ever had that before?, Well, you got it again, The snow will be gone in July, Just Peachy, Is it Bulldogging?, You'll have your turn in the barrel and The Priest never told me this would happen....
Tom is survived by his wife Millie of 59 years, daughters Dana (Scott) Glomba, Andrea (Ron) Grootenboer, grandchildren who were his pride and joy Matt (Kasey) and Travis, Chase and Kali, sister Marilyn (Ed) Bottan, brother-in-law Bill Kozluk and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Tom was predeceased by parents Joseph and Elizabeth, in-laws Dan and Anne Kozluk, brother-in-law Pete, sisters-in-laws Wilma and Jean.
Tom was a member of St. Dominic's Church.
Cremation has taken place. Please join us on Thursday April 28th 2022 at 11:00am at Saint Dominic's parish for a service and luncheon to follow at the DaVinci Centre Marco Polo room.
We would like to thank Dr. Addison, Dr. Aseyev, Dr. Ramchander, Dr. Azad, Dr. Simpson, nurses on 3B, Pallative care nurses/PSW's and Hospice for their exception care. Donations can be made to the TBRHSC or Northern Cancer Fund.
Thank you to our friends and neighbours who have reached out to share so many memories of my sweetheart.
Thomas was born on July 28, 1939 in Fort William, Ontario to Elizabeth and Joseph Konderka. As a young boy growing up in the East End, Tommy spent his days getting into mischief with his best buddies Norman and Billy. If it wasn't fishing or jumping off the coal cars into the river during the summers, it was spent hunting and playing hockey together in the winter. His love of hockey gave him an opportunity when he was called up by the Detroit Red Wings to join their training camp however he turned down a chance to play in the NHL for the true love of his life Millie.
Tom and Millie were married on August 4th, 1962 and had two daughters. He followed in his father's footsteps as a pipe fitter working at Great Lakes Paper for 39 years and retired from Bowater in 1996 as a Mechanical Supervisor. Tom and Millie enjoyed many years of travelling, cruising, watching his grandsons play hockey and granddaughter play basketball. Both Tom and Millie took up skiing later in life, which led to him joining the Canadian Ski Patrol after saving a young skiers life.
Tom lucked out with Millie, as she was from the Big Town of Raith, Ontario population 150 lol... where he inherited a wonderful father-in-law who showed him all the secret lakes and mother-in-law "The Boss" Big Nanny. He continued to enjoy hunting and fishing with his buddies, brothers-in-laws and sons-in-laws for many years. Still slaying the Walleye whether it be on the boat or ice fishing shack with son-in-law Ron and enjoyed hunting for geese, ducks and partridge with son-in-law Scott and there wasn't a bird he couldn't hit.
When they bought their home on Avondale Place he began construction and completion of many projects that he was so proud of. Whether it be the rec room, double garage, sauna and inground pool his ability to think outside the box was crucial and he was told many times that he was an engineer without papers. Tom was also instrumental in and design of the hunting shacks over the years in Dog River and "The Homestead" in Raith.
Tom was well known for his great sense of humour and well known sayings - here are a few of our favourites...
Konderka residence Gruesome speaking, Wine for my men, for we ride at dawn, It's Meeeeeee, Fight nice you guys, Have you ever had that before?, Well, you got it again, The snow will be gone in July, Just Peachy, Is it Bulldogging?, You'll have your turn in the barrel and The Priest never told me this would happen....
Tom is survived by his wife Millie of 59 years, daughters Dana (Scott) Glomba, Andrea (Ron) Grootenboer, grandchildren who were his pride and joy Matt (Kasey) and Travis, Chase and Kali, sister Marilyn (Ed) Bottan, brother-in-law Bill Kozluk and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Tom was predeceased by parents Joseph and Elizabeth, in-laws Dan and Anne Kozluk, brother-in-law Pete, sisters-in-laws Wilma and Jean.
Tom was a member of St. Dominic's Church.
Cremation has taken place. Please join us on Thursday April 28th 2022 at 11:00am at Saint Dominic's parish for a service and luncheon to follow at the DaVinci Centre Marco Polo room.
We would like to thank Dr. Addison, Dr. Aseyev, Dr. Ramchander, Dr. Azad, Dr. Simpson, nurses on 3B, Pallative care nurses/PSW's and Hospice for their exception care. Donations can be made to the TBRHSC or Northern Cancer Fund.
Thank you to our friends and neighbours who have reached out to share so many memories of my sweetheart.