Obituary for Allen Roy Stawychny
Allen Roy Stawychny
Allen was born December 21, 1948 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Stella (nee Lezubski) and Sam Stawychny. In the early morning of August 19, 2020, Allen passed peacefully in his sleep. Allen is survived by his wife Tanya, brother Danny (Mary) Stawychny, nephew Braeden, Tanya's parents John and Stephanie Torbiak, and brother Marc (Kaleen). He was predeceased by brother Robert Stawychny in 1966, father Sam in 1973, and mother Stella in 1978.
Allen discovered his passion to play music by the age of 12 years when he started taking guitar lessons. His special talent set the stage for the remainder of his life. In the 1960's Allen was very much a part of the great music scene in Winnipeg and surrounding areas, playing many different venues and competing in local talent shows. Pictures of his band the "Cellar Dwellers" can be found in the Manitoba Music Museum online, a site dedicated to the musicians of Manitoba. Allen was very proud to be recognized alongside the many great musicians that came out of this Canadian city "Thanks Danny". In Allen's teenage years he also began teaching guitar lessons hoping to share his knowledge and love of music. He LOVED watching his nephew Braeden's passion, love and ability for music grow from a far. In March of 1970 Allen's band "So Rare" backed up headliners Mickey & Bunny in Las Vegas Nevada. "So Rare" also travelled to Western Canada, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta to perform in larger venues.
He moved to Calgary, Alberta in 1970, continuing to pursue his music career. He became a single lounge act in Calgary and surrounding areas in Alberta and BC. It was then he first experienced the beauty of the Okanagan Valley. Allen had other interests as well, opening an Archery Range in Calgary Alberta. He loved the outdoors. He loved camping, fishing, canoeing, swimming, snorkeling, but more than all of this Allen loved people.
The mid 1980's brought Allen back to Winnipeg, performing in many venues, as far north as Churchill, Manitoba, and east to NW Ontario as far as Atikokan. His music talent and love of people set him on yet another career path. Allen began working in long-term care facilities with the elderly. His fun loving, kind, considerate nature along with his music, brought joy and laughter to many residents and staff alike. He had a big smile and a great hug for everyone.
It was also during this time in the mid to late 1980's, where he met his wife Tanya. Together they moved to the Okanagan Valley, Kelowna, in late 1991. Allen worked in sales but soon returned to working with the elderly. They made their home in Kelowna BC for 23 years. Theirs was a home always open to friends and family where many precious memories were created and many great friendships were forged. In 2013 Al and Tanya moved to Atikokan, Ontario, Tanya's home town, to be closer to family. Although his favourite times were when his "little brother" Danny and his nephew Braeden were coming to visit, any gathering of friends and family was what he loved best. If desired memorial donations may be made in Al's memory to local food banks or the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home.
♪Those were the days my friends♪
Allen was born December 21, 1948 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Stella (nee Lezubski) and Sam Stawychny. In the early morning of August 19, 2020, Allen passed peacefully in his sleep. Allen is survived by his wife Tanya, brother Danny (Mary) Stawychny, nephew Braeden, Tanya's parents John and Stephanie Torbiak, and brother Marc (Kaleen). He was predeceased by brother Robert Stawychny in 1966, father Sam in 1973, and mother Stella in 1978.
Allen discovered his passion to play music by the age of 12 years when he started taking guitar lessons. His special talent set the stage for the remainder of his life. In the 1960's Allen was very much a part of the great music scene in Winnipeg and surrounding areas, playing many different venues and competing in local talent shows. Pictures of his band the "Cellar Dwellers" can be found in the Manitoba Music Museum online, a site dedicated to the musicians of Manitoba. Allen was very proud to be recognized alongside the many great musicians that came out of this Canadian city "Thanks Danny". In Allen's teenage years he also began teaching guitar lessons hoping to share his knowledge and love of music. He LOVED watching his nephew Braeden's passion, love and ability for music grow from a far. In March of 1970 Allen's band "So Rare" backed up headliners Mickey & Bunny in Las Vegas Nevada. "So Rare" also travelled to Western Canada, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta to perform in larger venues.
He moved to Calgary, Alberta in 1970, continuing to pursue his music career. He became a single lounge act in Calgary and surrounding areas in Alberta and BC. It was then he first experienced the beauty of the Okanagan Valley. Allen had other interests as well, opening an Archery Range in Calgary Alberta. He loved the outdoors. He loved camping, fishing, canoeing, swimming, snorkeling, but more than all of this Allen loved people.
The mid 1980's brought Allen back to Winnipeg, performing in many venues, as far north as Churchill, Manitoba, and east to NW Ontario as far as Atikokan. His music talent and love of people set him on yet another career path. Allen began working in long-term care facilities with the elderly. His fun loving, kind, considerate nature along with his music, brought joy and laughter to many residents and staff alike. He had a big smile and a great hug for everyone.
It was also during this time in the mid to late 1980's, where he met his wife Tanya. Together they moved to the Okanagan Valley, Kelowna, in late 1991. Allen worked in sales but soon returned to working with the elderly. They made their home in Kelowna BC for 23 years. Theirs was a home always open to friends and family where many precious memories were created and many great friendships were forged. In 2013 Al and Tanya moved to Atikokan, Ontario, Tanya's home town, to be closer to family. Although his favourite times were when his "little brother" Danny and his nephew Braeden were coming to visit, any gathering of friends and family was what he loved best. If desired memorial donations may be made in Al's memory to local food banks or the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home.
♪Those were the days my friends♪