John Dzik

John Dzik of Fork River, Manitoba passed away on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at the age of 87 years.

John was born on November 8th, 1937 in the village of Fork River, Manitoba, the son of Mary (Tichon) and Jacob Dzik.

At the age of 5 years old in the fall of 1942, John started his education at St. Mary’s Boarding School in Sifton, Manitoba, a school run by the Benedictine Sisters of Arborg.

John’s education at the boarding school was quite a challenge; you see, his parents only spoke Polish.  That was the only language he was familiar with.  John remembers wearing out a hole in his first couple of pages of his reader by trying to follow the words with his finger.  He eventually caught on to the English language and he was able to complete 8 grades in 7 years.  Quite an accomplishment!

In the fall of 1955, he enrolled in the teacher training school in Winnipeg, called the Normal School.  This school soon changed its name to the Teacher’s College.

John completed his studies in the summer of 1956 with a teacher’s certificate.  Throughout his teaching career, he continued his education and upgraded his certificate by taking a number of summer school courses, as well as one year of university courses.

In the fall of 1956, his hard work paid off by signing his first Teacher’s contract with the Dauphin Ochre School Area # 1, a country school.  The school was located 3 miles west and ½ mile south of Sifton.  He taught grades 1 through 8 until low enrollment issues forced the school to close.

A year before his teaching career ended, John bought a quarter of land near his home.  He continued his land purchases for the next few years and he eventually had 3 quarters of land.  His passion turned to grain farming, where he lived on the original Dzik homestead until July 2025.

John was a strong man of faith and he supported and attended the Roman Catholic Church in Winnipegosis.  He enjoyed golfing with his brother Joe, friends in the Dauphin area, and many of his nephews.  He really enjoyed playing a few of the Minnesota courses near his niece’s home in Brainerd, MN, mainly Cragun’s and Breezy Point.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Mary Dzik; his sister, Caroline Dzik; and brother-in-law Ludwig (Leo) Trylinski.

He is survived by his sister, Cecilia (Dzik) Trylinski; Joe and Margaret Dzik; Walter and Diana Dzik; 9 nieces and nephews; 15 great nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank Ken Warkentin and John Feschuk for their outstanding care of Uncle John.   The family would also like to thank the St. Paul Personal Care Home in Dauphin for their exceptional care and communication.

A Viewing was held from 9:00 - 10:00 am with the Funeral Liturgy following on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 10:00 am from the St. Viator's Roman Catholic Church in Dauphin with Fr. Christopher Dubois officiating.  

Interment followed in the Riverside Cemetery - Dauphin.

Should friends so desire, donations in memory of John may be made to Diabetes Canada or the Parkland Humane Society in Dauphin.

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