Leonard  CHOMISTEK

Obituary of Leonard James CHOMISTEK

July 31, 1964 – May 24, 2021

The One and Only

 

Leonard passed away gently and peacefully in his sleep of a cardiac arrhythmia on Monday, May 24, 2021. His beloved dog Max and cat Finn were with him.

 

Leonard was born and raised in Calgary, AB. He graduated from Bishop Grandin High School in 1983. Leonard was an extremely proud member of Union 110, Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers, a Journeyman Red Seal Insulator. He was an entrepreneur at heart and was always thinking of new inventions. He ran a peat bog for a period of three years and harvested and sold shredded peat moss to garden centres and mushroom growers. He also worked for Bonar Packing as a printer immediately after high school.

 

Leonard’s proudest moments and achievements were his marriage, the birth of his children, the birth of his first grandchild, earning his Red Ticket, his best friend Max, and accomplishing tasks people said were impossible. He was a workaholic, an entrepreneur, had a brilliant mind, and the kindest heart. He was always thinking outside the box. He especially loved mentoring people, anyone that was a lost or struggling soul and especially his apprentices. He did everything within his power for us, his family. He worked like a madman for us, hardly rested and never tired. He was always chatting with anyone he met. He loved to push people’s buttons, and if he pestered you, then it was his way of saying he thought you were mighty special. His passions were his family, working in his garden, being a grandfather, gold panning, and poker to name a few. Many hours were spent with his dad, learning and sharing with each other over tools and equipment, walking the dog, riding his bicycle, and enjoying ice caps. We are sure that Heaven is abuzz right now as Leonard relays adventurous stories and is up to Heavenly high jinks.

 

If he had any lasting words to anyone, it would be a lippy comment with multiple *F* bombs thrown in, with a laughing attitude, but also to tell you to just be happy. “Name called by God” (a Union reference), a quote by Jerry McPherson.

 

Leonard leaves behind his wife of twenty-nine years, Cindy (nee Skorupa), son James-Paul LaVallie (ex-wife Mishka and daughter Asher [Bryson of Quebec]) of Gagetown, NB; daughter Christie of Calgary, AB, parents, Paul and Evelyn Chomistek; brothers, Randy (wife Cindy and children, Kara & fiancé Brendan, Eric & wife Sara, Kelsey, and Tessa) of Calgary, AB; Sheldon (wife Karen and children, Adam and Duncan) of Okotoks, AB; mother-in-law Maila Skorupa of Calgary, AB, brother-in-law Tim Skorupa (wife Liz and children, Blaine & partner Serena of Terrace, BC, and Sarah & partner Josh) of Calgary, AB; sisters-in-law, Denise Pedro (husband Bento and children Ben, Myles, and Cruz) of Kitimat, BC; and Tina Chalmers (ex-husband Brendan and children William, Maya, and Kai) of Vancouver, BC; and father-in-law Cas Skorupa of Kitimat, BC, as well as numerous additional family members, beloved friends and neighbours, and Union sisters and brothers.

 

Thank you to Constable Kennedy – we will always carry your kindness with us. Thank you to Florencio Ponce and Bobby Pasio for all of your help – thank you’s are so inadequate. Thank you to Tim Skorupa for being there when we needed you. We also thank Dr. Katherine Savoia for her tireless assistance to Leonard over the years – he thought the world of you. Thank you for the messages of condolences from Union members – the comments have really hit home, and we are grateful. Thank you to all for your condolences, generosity, and visits from all. There are so many people to thank, and you are all in our hearts.

 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca or to A.A.R.C.S. – Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society, 5060 – 74th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 3C9, Telephone: (403) 250-7377, www.aarcs.ca/donate. As per Leonard’s wishes, cremation will occur. A Private Viewing was held on Thursday, June 3, 2021. A Celebration of Life will be held when all can gather together and share in the memories and joy of Leonard, without any Covid restrictions. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed on Leonard’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

 

In living memory of Leonard Chomistek, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB, T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

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