Obituary for Lawrence Paul Huska
With deep sadness, the family of Lawrence Huska announces the passing of their husband, father, and
grandfather on Sunday, January 2, 2022, at the age of 85 after a lengthy illness. At the end, he was
surrounded by love and will be dearly missed. Vichnaya Pamyat (Forever in our hearts).
Left to honour his memory are his wife of 64 years Doreen (Pash); son Kelvin, daughters Linda (John
Birchard) and Deborah; grandchildren Christopher Birchard, Katherine Birchard, Trevor Zigich, Sarah
Zigich; sister Dorothy Zabraczki; brother Tom (Heather) Huska; brother-in-law Bill Pash; sisters-in-law
Lucy McBain and Pat Pash; and many nieces and nephews.
Lawrence Paul Huska was born to parents Anna and Dmytro Huska on July 10, 1936 in Norquay,
Saskatchewan. The family later moved to Hyas, Saskatchewan where he received most of his public
school education; completing his high school at St. Joseph’s in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. After teaching
“on permit” for one year in Mafeking, Manitoba, Lawrence attended the Manitoba Provincial Normal
School in 1955-56. He later attended the University of Manitoba, earning two degrees (BA and BEd).
After certification, Lawrence taught for one year in a country school in Eastdale, then went on to teach
the next 34 years at the high school level. In his early career, Lawrence taught at Oakbank High School
(Principal), Springfield Collegiate, and McCreary Collegiate (Principal). He continued teaching in
Winnipeg at River East Collegiate, and ultimately spent twenty years at Kildonan East Regional
Secondary School as English Department Head, where he retired in 1993.
In 1957 he married Doreen Alice Pash of Binscarth, Manitoba. Together they raised three children and
were blessed with four grandchildren.
Lawrence was a former president of the Manitoba Fly Fishers Association, president of the Crossroads
Toastmasters, president of the Transcona NDP, and coach of the River East Collegiate “Reach for the
Top” team. In 1971, the River East team he coached won the national championship.
Dad had a youthfully exuberant outlook on life, which was manifested in his love of sports and the
outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisher, and loved to travel. In his younger years, he participated in
many activities including hockey, curling, judo, badminton, and cross-country skiing, the latter of which
he enjoyed well into his retirement years. He participated enthusiastically in the annual school
mountain-climbing trips at KE, and loved family camping trips to both the west and east coasts on our
many summer excursions before the construction of the first family cottage at Beresford Lake,
Manitoba. Dad continued to enjoy the outdoors at a second cottage he built in North-Western Ontario,
where he and Mom spent every summer. Hosting friends and family at the cottage also gave him great
pleasure.
The family is grateful to the staff on St Basil's unit at Holy Family Home, as well as many other health
care professionals who assisted in his care. We know he truly appreciated your efforts.
In compliance with Lawrence's wishes, no funeral service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may
be made in his memory to Holy Family Home, the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, or CancerCare
Manitoba Foundation.
grandfather on Sunday, January 2, 2022, at the age of 85 after a lengthy illness. At the end, he was
surrounded by love and will be dearly missed. Vichnaya Pamyat (Forever in our hearts).
Left to honour his memory are his wife of 64 years Doreen (Pash); son Kelvin, daughters Linda (John
Birchard) and Deborah; grandchildren Christopher Birchard, Katherine Birchard, Trevor Zigich, Sarah
Zigich; sister Dorothy Zabraczki; brother Tom (Heather) Huska; brother-in-law Bill Pash; sisters-in-law
Lucy McBain and Pat Pash; and many nieces and nephews.
Lawrence Paul Huska was born to parents Anna and Dmytro Huska on July 10, 1936 in Norquay,
Saskatchewan. The family later moved to Hyas, Saskatchewan where he received most of his public
school education; completing his high school at St. Joseph’s in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. After teaching
“on permit” for one year in Mafeking, Manitoba, Lawrence attended the Manitoba Provincial Normal
School in 1955-56. He later attended the University of Manitoba, earning two degrees (BA and BEd).
After certification, Lawrence taught for one year in a country school in Eastdale, then went on to teach
the next 34 years at the high school level. In his early career, Lawrence taught at Oakbank High School
(Principal), Springfield Collegiate, and McCreary Collegiate (Principal). He continued teaching in
Winnipeg at River East Collegiate, and ultimately spent twenty years at Kildonan East Regional
Secondary School as English Department Head, where he retired in 1993.
In 1957 he married Doreen Alice Pash of Binscarth, Manitoba. Together they raised three children and
were blessed with four grandchildren.
Lawrence was a former president of the Manitoba Fly Fishers Association, president of the Crossroads
Toastmasters, president of the Transcona NDP, and coach of the River East Collegiate “Reach for the
Top” team. In 1971, the River East team he coached won the national championship.
Dad had a youthfully exuberant outlook on life, which was manifested in his love of sports and the
outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisher, and loved to travel. In his younger years, he participated in
many activities including hockey, curling, judo, badminton, and cross-country skiing, the latter of which
he enjoyed well into his retirement years. He participated enthusiastically in the annual school
mountain-climbing trips at KE, and loved family camping trips to both the west and east coasts on our
many summer excursions before the construction of the first family cottage at Beresford Lake,
Manitoba. Dad continued to enjoy the outdoors at a second cottage he built in North-Western Ontario,
where he and Mom spent every summer. Hosting friends and family at the cottage also gave him great
pleasure.
The family is grateful to the staff on St Basil's unit at Holy Family Home, as well as many other health
care professionals who assisted in his care. We know he truly appreciated your efforts.
In compliance with Lawrence's wishes, no funeral service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may
be made in his memory to Holy Family Home, the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, or CancerCare
Manitoba Foundation.