Arthur (Art) Gooley

Arthur (Art) Gooley

May 13, 1934 to October 6, 2019

  It is with very sad hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Arthur (Art), on October 6, 2019 at Red River Place in Selkirk, MB, with family by his side.

  At the time of passing Art leaves to mourn his 4 children, Charlene McRae (Murray), Darlene Swain, Tracy Dobrowolski (Kevin), Jason Gooley (Tracy); grandchildren Derek Samagalski (Selena), Tyler Samagalski (Janelle), Shawn Swain (Sheila), Bryce Dobrowolski and great-grandchildren, Kallie and Baylee Samagalski, Dekkar Samagalski, and Dwight Swain. Also left to mourn his passing are his sisters, Ruth Wityshyn (Stan), Pat Yablonski and numerous nieces and nephews, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in law. Art was predeceased by his loving wife of 45 years, Joan (Besyk); his parents Edward and Helen Gooley; his in-laws Nicholas and Jennie Besyk; his sister Esther Kozyra; many nephews; sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law.

  Dad was born and raised on the family farm in Foley, MB, where he also attended school. After a not so successful first job of selling pots and pans door to door, he decided to go into flooring installation on his own and then hired and worked with a great crew of guys for many years. He later went to work at Bill Knight Flooring as a sub-contractor installer, and then was hired as the company’s Flooring Estimator until he retired in 1999.

  Dad had a great love and enjoyment for music and while at a young age learned to play the guitar and fiddle on his own and later went on to play as one of the band members of the famous “Polka Whippers”. They played every weekend at Weddings, Anniversaries and events all over Manitoba for many years and were even asked back to play at some 25th Anniversaries for couples that they played at their weddings for.

  Art and Joan were married in 1971 and after living in Winnipeg for a few years, moved out to St. Andrews where they raised their children. They later moved to Selkirk where he lived until his passing. Dad loved getting together with family and friends (especially his “Schwaggers”) and was always there to pull out his guitar or fiddle to play a tune and sing, either by himself or whoever was there with instruments to join in, whether at a campsite, family event or just for fun. He enjoyed getting visits from all his grandkids and great grandkids and he was one of his grandson Derek’s biggest curling fan.

  After his retirement, dad spent most of his time with and taking care of his wife, Joan until her passing. They were the “perfect couple” always laughing and telling jokes and playing tricks on each other, or making plans on their many trips to Grand Forks and Shooting Star Casino. He then suffered a few falls, breaking his hip twice and then his leg and slowly became more ill with his cancer until his passing.

  We would like to thank all his doctors and nurses at Selkirk Regional Health Centre for taking such good care of our dad. He truly appreciated all of you. We would also like to thank his homecare ladies. You took such great care of dad and he looked forward to your visits, there are too many to name, you know who you are. Also special thanks to his homecare nurse Gail, you really brightened up his day. He was truly blessed to have all of you in his life during his illness.

  Honorary Pallbearers are Derek Samagalski, Tyler Samagalski, Shawn Swain, Bryce Dobrowolski, Kevin Dobrowolski and Murray McRae. Honoring dads wishes cremation has taken place. A Celebration of dads’ life will be held at Gilbart Funeral Home, 309 Eveline St. in Selkirk, MB., on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. A private family interment will follow later that day at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens.

   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CancerCare Manitoba in Dad’s name.

  Condolences may be left on his tribute wall at www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

  Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

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