Richard Bidzinski

Richard Bidzinski passed away November 19, 2022 at the age of 62 from a lengthy illness at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre surrounded by loving members of his family and friends and his wife, Melinda.

Richard resided at Wellman Lake along with his wife of 42 years and their 2 cats, Polly and Autumn.

Richard was born to Victor Bidzinski Sr. of Nadworna, Poland and Mary Spark Bidzinski (nee Wallace) of Burntisland, Fife, Scotland.  Victor and Mary immigrated to Canada in 1948 with 5 kids. Richard was the third child to be born in Canada. He was born at what was then called the Woman’s Pavilion of the Winnipeg General Hospital in December of 1959.

In 1969 the family moved to Winnipegosis where his Dad had started a business in the Winnipegosis/Ethelbert area repairing and selling electronic equipment.  While in Winnipegosis, Richard graduated from high school and made many life-long friends.  He then went to Edmonton where he graduated from accounting and Finance Program at NAIT. He moved back to Manitoba and married Melinda (nee Buller) in Winnipegosis, August 23, 1980. They lived for periods of time in Brandon, Dauphin, McCreary, Kelwood, and Alonsa areas.

In Dauphin, Richard got involved in the air cadet program. Many friends were made and experiences had. Perhaps the pinnacle was winning an important Precision Drill Team competition as coach, and seeing a number of the cadets go onto successful flying and military careers.

Richard’s career then shifted to the administration of a school division for over 23 years, where his sickness (that he was battling for a total of 18 years) finally stopped him from working any further.  He spent the last years working around the shortfall that the disease was causing him.  With the help of equipment and his lovely wife they were able to clean snow, feed birds, and various other small projects around the yard and house.  It is hard for one to describe Richard’s passion for all animals, photography, fishing, and the great outdoors overall.

Richard is predeceased by his parents, Victor Sr. and Mary Bidzinski, and his eldest brother, Victor Jr. Bidzinski.

Richard is survived and sadly missed by his wife Melinda, his eldest brother’s wife Susan of Edmonton, AB, siblings John (Barb) of Saskatoon, SK, Stanley of Winnipeg, MB, Barbara (John) Kirkland of Saskatoon, SK, Marie (Norman) Lavack of Ste. Anne, MB, Martin (Margaret) of Winnipeg, MB, Harold (Elizabeth) of Stonewall, MB, numerous nieces and nephews, and a large extended family.

His family would like to take this opportunity to thank Doctor Mathison, the staff at Dauphin Regional Health Centre, the doctors and staff at Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg and everyone else who participated in Richard’s journey to help make it more bearable.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring of 2023. Should friends so desire, donations in Richard’s memory can be made to The Lung Association, Manitoba Inc (PO Box 2040 Stn Main, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 9Z9), The Salvation Army (PO Box 1932, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 3R2, or Nordheim Mennonite Church (Box 337, Winnipegosis, MB, R0L 2G0).

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