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Stan Korowski loved showing off by doing handstands, whether he was on skates or standing on top of a water tower. But it was his feet that led him to a career in geology.
Stan, who was 87 when he died on Jan. 12, decided to try long-distance running when he was in Grade 11. And he was a natural, placing fifth in the one-mile race at the Canadian Junior Championships, and fourth in the two-mile race.
Stan even won the 12-mile race sponsored by the old Winnipeg Tribune in 1956.
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His running prowess earned him a full track scholarship at McNeese College in Lake Charles, La. The best finish of his four years there was second place in a field of almost 200 competitors from colleges and high schools in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
Stan graduated with a bachelor of science degree in geology before entering the University of Houston’s graduate program.
After obtaining his master’s in geology, he was hired by a multi-national mining company where he worked as a mineralogist for almost three decades at Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines in Zambia. It is also where his four children were born.
While in Zambia, Stan volunteered, and also kept rock and stamp collections.
After the mining company was nationalized in 1993, Stan, his wife, and children returned to Canada and settled in Winnipeg. He worked at an auto auction company for 23 years before retiring when he was 83.
He remained physically active, working in his vegetable garden and continuing to swim until he was in his early 80s.
Stan is survived by his wife, three sons and one daughter.
Read more about Stan.
How They Lived
Carol Anderson was only nine when she had surgery for a heart defect, decades before equipment such as ultrasound machines were available.
There were complications while she was at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and she had a stroke, paralyzing her on her left side.
But, as her family says, it didn’t stop her and she went on to graduate from university, raise two children, and spend five decades volunteering with Girl Guides, rising to be Provincial Commissioner and serving on the national council.
Carol was 73 when she died on Jan. 19.
Read more about Carol.
Alan Vanderpont sold chocolates and blinds before changing careers.
Alan, who died on Jan. 27 at the age of 93, applied for an air traffic control job in 1954.
He spent the next 37 years as an air traffic controller, instructor and, finally, the manager at St. Andrews Airport.
Read more about Alan.
Teresa Nucci was born in Italy and came here with her mother.
Years later, Teresa, who was 84 when she died on Jan. 23, joined husband Emilio in opening one of the first Italian businesses, Nucci’s Imported Foods, on what became Corydon Avenue’s Little Italy neighbourhood.
The store opened in 1960 and was in business for 33 years.
Read more about Teresa.
Richie Akman was the third generation of his family to run Akman Construction.
While serving as the company’s head, Richie, who died on Jan. 21 at 70 years of age, constructed many buildings including the Asper Jewish Community Campus, Red River College’s Roblin Centre, the Simkin Centre, and the Women’s Correctional Centre.
He also chaired the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg as well as served on several other boards and committees, including St. Paul’s High School.
Read more about Richie.
Anne Novak and her three siblings were designated by the Shoah Foundation as the world’s oldest siblings to survive the Holocaust.
Anne, who was 100 when she died on Jan. 24, wasn’t even the oldest sibling. One is 102, while the other is 97.
They were all born in Poland and were deported by the Soviet Union to a forced labour camp in Siberia. Her family came to Canada in 1948, where she married and helped run small grocery stores for 30 years.
Read more about Anne.
Janice (Deb) Shiloff was a neuroscientist who played basketball while in university.
Deb, who died on Jan. 22, was a member of the Wesman women’s team that won the Canadian Junior Championship in 1972, the first time a Manitoba women’s basketball team won the Canadian championship.
The team was inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame and honoured by being named to the Order of the Buffalo Hunt.
Read more about Deb.
A Life’s Story
Janette Phillips was a passionate supporter of local curling.
As Free Press reporter Chris Kitching wrote, Janette’s home-away-from-home for more than five decades was the Fort Garry Curling Club. She coordinated the club’s junior program and encouraged many young people to take up the game.
Janette Phillips, who died in August at the age of 81, drew praise for co-ordinating the Fort Garry’s junior program and encouraging young curlers. (Supplied)
Curl Manitoba recognized her contributions to the sport, making her an honorary life member and presenting her with its volunteer award.
“She just had this incredible drive,” said her friend, Marge Winters. “She took the sport seriously and delved into what could make it better.”
You can read more about the life of Janette, who was 81 when she died on Aug. 11., at this link.
Until next time, I hope you continue to write your own life’s story.
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