It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Dr. Stanley Dromisky on September 8th, 2023, surrounded by his family. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he brought love, warmth, and never-ending kindness to all who knew him.
Stan (fondly known by many as ‘Staush’) was born in Fort William on June 25th, 1931, a birth date he shared with his wife, Peggy. He was the third of 4 children, born to Joseph and Ann Dromisky (nee Zakrewski). Stan began from humble beginnings, raised in the East End in a little house on McIntosh Street - a place where even in his last years, he continued to share memories and stories with great pride and joy. He attended Ogden Public School, along with his sister, Bernice, and two brothers, Jack and Eugene.
From there he attended Fort William Collegiate Institute and afterwards he began his journey as a passionate, lifelong educator. He attended North Bay Teachers College, University of Western Ontario (B.A), University of Toronto (B.Ed.), University of Wisconsin (Masters) and University of Florida (Ph.D.). His first teaching position was at Franklin School where he was offered the Principalship. As a principal, he made the effort to visit the parents of every student in the school and started the first ‘Home and School Association’ to ensure that no child went hungry. He also taught at Kingsway Park and Francis Street schools where he continued to show his unparalleled devotion to his students. He was also a Master at Lakehead Teachers’ College, served as a Trustee on the Lakehead Board of Education for 13 years, ultimately culminating his career as a Professor at Lakehead University in the Faculty of Education.
In 1988, Stan retired from Lakehead University as Professor Emeritus to embark on a zestful new journey into politics. He was elected as Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Atikokan in 1993 and remained the MP for 11 years. During his tenure he was the Chairman of various Parliamentary committees, as well as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport. Serving the community was essential to Stan and he was tireless in his humanitarian efforts, both locally and abroad. Some of his more memorable contributions included a vast coordination of efforts to collect and deliver medication, clothing, school supplies, library books and bedding to the Children’s Hospital in Cuba, with similar extensive humanitarian and scholastic efforts in nations all around the globe. Stan was a member of many local committees and associations, most notably Kinsman, K-40, Shriners, Masons, and the Rotary Club. Stan was always looking for ways to help others.
When he was 23, Stan met the love of his life and the woman he immediately ‘knew he would marry’, Peggy (nee Stenback). Stan and Peggy were married on May 19th, 1956 and enjoyed 67 years together. This vibrant duo enjoyed traveling all over the world, pursuing their love of the arts, and raising their family. In 1972, both moved with their two daughters Jan and Susan to Gainesville, Florida, where Stan completed his Ph.D., before permanently returning to Thunder Bay in 1974.
The family returned to Miles Street, where it continued to be the family home with several more generations sharing its comfort. Another place close to his heart was his and Peggy’s cottage at Two Island Lake, where they spent every summer. It had seen many, many wonderful occasions, birthday celebrations, milestone events, and even weddings. All who ever visited knew of its pure magic and its ‘healing waters’. It was their paradise.
At the end of the day, Stan’s ultimate pride and joy was his family. He loved nothing more than being surrounded by those most dear to him - having a cup of coffee, sharing stories, dinners and special events, and playing his favourite dice game ‘Ten Thousand’. He would even spot you a dollar if you were short for the pot. Christmas was Stan’s most-loved holiday, and his constant carolling (as well as turning every sentence into a song) could be heard year ‘round. He would spend hours making sure all the decorations were perfect, including his most cherished Christmas Tree, in which he could never have enough twinkling lights. His favourite sight was seeing his family surrounding it, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. He also loved to share his famous ‘mushroom gravy’, which he made from wild mushrooms he had picked. As he would proudly tell you, the mushrooms would call to him each season as he searched - “Staushu, Staushu!” No area of the Thunder Bay district was safe from his foraging forays.
Already, we miss Stan’s incredible sharp wit, sense of humour, his utmost compassion, kindness and endless wisdom, as well as his innate gift for capturing everyone’s attention with his vivid stories. He always believed in helping each other, being good to one another, being true to yourself, and most importantly - letting people know that you love them.
Stan will be sadly missed by his wife of 67 years, Peggy; his daughters Jan Lynne and Susan; his grandchildren Michael, Myra (Denis Perron), Keenan Smith (Katie Young), Jessica and Jarod (Farrant); his great-grandchildren, Lassia and Aleksia Dromisky-Perron, Kenley, Korbyn and Killian Smith, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and sisters and brothers-in-law. A special note of appreciation to his doctors and care providers over the years including Dr. Kolobov, Dr. Mary MacDonald, Dr. Amhalhal, Dr. Bukovy, and especially his nurse, Corie - who he loved to see and we were so blessed to have looking after him these last few years. He is predeceased by his parents and his dear siblings.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 14th at the Slovak Legion at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Stan’s honour can be sent to Lakehead University. To make a gift online, please visit: https://ec.lakeheadu.ca/giving/fund-project, select “Other” and type “Dr. Stan Dromisky Memorial Undergraduate Award” in the comment box. Alternatively, you can call 807-343-8010 ext. 8194 or mail a cheque to the address below (please note if sending by cheque, it should be made out to Lakehead University and indicate that it’s in memory of Dr. Stan Dromisky on the memo line):
c/o External Relations
Lakehead University
In Memory of Dr. Stan Dromisky
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
We love you Gigi.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
