Raymond Walter Gensisky

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Raymond Walter Gensisky of Winnipegosis on February 28, 2019 at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre at the age of 57 years.

57 years old id considered far too young to depart from this world.  So many things left to do so many new challenges to overcome.  In Ray's case, a life that he worked so long to build for himself was taken away before the fruits of his labour could be fully enjoyed and shared with the people around him. That is the real tragedy.

Ray lived on his own terms.  He was motivated and would never be afraid to take on a job or project because he knew that somehow it would all work out.

Ray was born April 19, 1961 in the Winnipegosis Hospital to Walter and Julie Gensisky.  he spent his early years learning firsthand the value of skilled labour while building boats with his parents and restoring his own bombardier for commercial fishing at the age of 15.  He spent time in the bush learning about trapping, hunting, and fishing from, his family and continued commercial fishing with his own boat and bombardier in both summer and winter seasons.  As time passed he took on additional challenges and found himself Diamond Drilling with various companies across Canada, becoming a foreman and having an opportunity to work in Greenland in later years.  He also spent many years building a relationship with the owners of Strilkiwski Contracting, a local construction company, proving himself as not only a very competent welder and fabricator but as a versatile asset that could do anything from driving truck to crusher foreman.

Ray knew how to have a good time, if he wasn't being mischievous and teasing or pulling pranks on someone he was the one on the receiving end of someone else's jokes, he worked hard and he played hard.  Those of us who knew him well were fortunate to have experienced both sides.

His proudest accomplishment was taking on the huge responsibility of the lake Winnipegosis Navigational buoys.  In a short amount of time he needed to change his current fishing boat to meet strict government regulations and certify himself with a Captain's license to enter his bid for the upcoming government contract. He successfully completed the undertaking in time and after a couple of years of great service to Lake Winnipegosis he decided to add Playgreen Lake at the north end of Lake Winnipeg to his responsibilities.  This required another overhaul of his fleet to make it possible to transport his 50 foot board to Lake Winnipeg and build another much faster boat so he could quickly service buoys on short notice.  Another successful challenge was completed.

Ray was predeceased by his dad Walter, his grandparents, his nephews Cory and John Parenteau.  Ray leaves to mourn, his son Taylor Gensisky, his daughters Tiara and Tasha Gensisky, his mother Julie Gensisky, sisters Louella (Morris) Parenteau, Wanda (Larry) Korman, Carol (David) Voigt and brother Leonard Gensisky, as well as several nieces and nephews and extended family.  He also leaves behind many close friends that are too numerous to mention.

Donations in memory of Ray may be made the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of one's choice.

Ray had that special something that can't be taught in any school or trades college, if you knew him or saw what he fixed or manufactured you couldn't help but agree.  He could do more with less than most men could do with vast resources.  Last fall he had all the buoys on dry land waiting for summer.  It's a shame he wasn't given the chance to even throw the first one back in.  We all may not have seen him or spoke with him often but we all knew he was always there for us.  He will be missed.

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