Tony Linnick

Anthony Linnick
September 15, 1928 – December 03, 2020

Dad was born on September 15, 1928, to parents Harry and Mary (Kozy) Linnick. Dad was born on the family farm, in Cowan, Manitoba. Dad had 4 brothers Bill, Victor, Tedor (Frances) and Adolphe (Trudy) and 1 sister Anne Rosiak (Pete).

Dad followed his brother Bill to Flin Flon looking for work in his late teens/early twenties. Dad eventually found work at the Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting, Co. Dad worked in the Machine Shop, on this huge Drill Press machine and he created a lot of pieces used within the Company. On his retirement, 35 years later they gifted dad with a replica of the Drill Press that he worked on over his time at HBM&S.

Dad met and married the love of his live Miss Shirley Mae McKenzie. They married on mom’s birthday May 21st, 1955. They soon had their first son Stephen (Barb), followed by 3 more sons Gordon (Bertha), Larry and Paul (Lisa). They were all dad’s and mom’s greatest joy.

Soon, mom and dad got to share in yet another great joy and that was the arrival of their 6 grandchildren Dawn (Charles) Laderoute, Carmen (Linnick) Cuthbertson, Zachary (Brooklyn), Ben (Alyssa Denysuik), Mark (Shannon Fisher) and Evan (Taylor Oliynyk).

And, also have 8 great-grand children. Julian Cuthbertson, Christopher, Marcel and Alie Francoeur / Anson, Miranda and Audrey Linnick and Ave Denysuik.

Dad was predeceased was by his loving wife Shirley Mae Linnick, on September. 16, 2019. And, by his first grandchild Christopher Linnick and his partner Wendy Francoeur, on September 04, 2010. Dad was also, predeceased by his loving parents Harry and Mary Linnick, his 3 brothers Bill, Victor and Tedor, his sister Anne and his sister-in-law Frances.

Dad had a real love for working with wood. He had a real knack and could turn a piece of wood in the most beautiful carving. He made many pieces of wooden animal sculptures that those lucky enough to receive one, treasures it to this day.

All dad’s woodwork eventually turned to the greatest passion in his life. And, that was the building and creating his most majestic VIOLINS. It’s been said, that dad created somewhere around 16 hand made Violins from scratch. He researched and ordered all the parts needed to assist him along the way in building these amazing Violins. He made each of his 4 sons their very own Violin, with hopes that one day one of the boys would learn to play a tune. Gord says he did try “Pop Goes the Weasel” on his Centennial Year Violin that his dad made for him. It is an awe inspired Violin, all the intricate in-laid tiny pieces of wood to make the backing on the Centennial Violin is just amazing.

Dad loved the sound that the Violins made. He loved learning new songs and so did those around him. Some of his close friends loved it so much, that the came over to mom and dad’s home and went down into the basement and started playing their music into the night. They eventually formed a small band and would go out and play for the Seniors at the local Northern Lights Manor or wherever they could play. They sounded great and loved the music that was played for all to hear. I still can hear dad playing “The Orange Blossom Special” or the Red River Jig.

Dad also, love woodwork so much that he and his son Gord both built their very own Grandfather Clocks. The Birch wood they used was planed and came from dad’s family farm, in Cowan, MB. Gord started his clock first and, dad was going to wait but, once he seen how Gord’s was coming along. Dad quickly started his and they finished them both with a short period of time. They sound and look marvelous.

One of dad’s most treasured holidays was the year that his son Larry took dad to Italy. Dad was so overwhelmed that he actually, got to see the City of “CREMONA” where the Violin music was played. Larry took dad touring around the country side and they even climbed all 500 plus steps to this huge tower. Larry, met some people and they talked about dad and dad had a meeting with this Newspaper Reporter. He did a full page report on dad and his story of making his homemade violins from Canada.

Dad loved and enjoyed spending time with all his many family, friends and neighbors. We all miss you dad. We love you and we will always remember you and you are kept close within our hearts. We know that you are at peace now and back in the loving arms of mom. Rest well dear dad, until we meet again. Love You, Remember You Always, Keep playing those Amazing Grace Violin tunes up in heaven. Until we meet again. Rest In Peace Dad….love you forever ‘n’ a day.