Obituary of Thomas Adamcewicz

MAY 1, 1940 – AUGUST 30, 2017

Thomas was born in Niesvzerovicze, Poland on May 1, 1940. The family came to Canada in September 1949 and settled in Northwestern Ontario.  Tom was predeceased by his parents, Olympia (Olga) and Hippolyte (Harry) Adamcewicz and his brother Anthony Adams of Thunder Bay.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years Jonina Adamcewicz (Swanbergson); his children Marnie (Daniel) Major, Jeff (Loryann) Adamcewicz, Jody (Richard) Melnechenko, Stephanie (Kevin) Rorke, and Sylvia (David) Mikkonen; his grandchildren Dylan Major (Chantel Gingras), Nikki Melnechenko, Sebastian Rorke (Jessica Frame), Cassidy Rorke, Alexa Melnechenko and Megan Melnechenko; his sister Marion (Fred) Searle, his sister-in-law Marilyn Adams and his sister-in-law Alice (John Jensen) as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

After graduating from Port Arthur Collegiate in 1958 and then from Queen’s University in 1963 with a BSc in Mining Engineering, Tom made his career in the mining industry.  His first employment was with the Iron Ore Company of Canada, Schefferville, PQ.  Following the family’s move to Atikokan, ON in 1964 Tom was employed by the Caland Ore Company and was serving as Plant Superintendent at the time of the closing of the mine in 1980.  Upon moving to Regina Tom was hired by SaskPower to oversee their coal mine operations.  With the sale of those operations Tom moved over to SaskEnergy and eventually retired from Trans Gas in May of 2000.

  One of Tom’s greatest joys was to spend time in the outdoors at the cabin on Niobe Lake.  He spent 15 years in the construction of an addition to the cabin during his retirement and loved the many happy spiritual hours spent there with family and friends.

In March of 2016 Tom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and spent many hours in the Allan Blair Cancer and Cardiac Clinics.  In May 2017 (on his birthday) he was taken by ambulance to the General Hospital but following this recovered sufficiently to travel to Niobe Lake where he spent 6 good weeks before needing to return to hospital on August 1, 2017. While at the hospital in Thunder Bay it was clear that Tom’s desire was to return home to Regina and so he was brought by “Angels in Flight” air ambulance back to Regina where he was eventually admitted to Palliative Care.  He died peacefully surrounded by God’s love and the love of his family and friends on August 30, 2017. 

Tom served the communities he lived in through his work in numerous service clubs, he was an active member of the parishes of Faith Lutheran, Calvary Lutheran and St. Mark’s Lutheran Churches contributing as a member of Church Council and by sharing his beautiful bass voice and his passion for singing as a member of the choir.  All who knew him will remember Tom as friendly and outgoing, he was a deeply spiritual and creative person who loved nature and who extended empathy and understanding to all he encountered.  A Memorial Service will be held at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3510 Queen Street, Regina, SK on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Mark's Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.