It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Clarence "Clancy" Roswalka on July 10, 2022 at Teck Pioneer Residence, surrounded by his loving family.
Clancy was born in Kirkland Lake in 1934, the son of Polish immigrants, Josephine, who was taken suddenly when he was just 4 years old, and Felix. He was raised by his dad along with generous assistance from the ladies at the Polish Hall. It's there where Clancy developed a love of music, having access to musical instruments, and became a member of the Polka Dots band, playing drums and saxophone. He graduated from KLCVI, class of 1953, then from the Haileybury School of Mines and attended Ryerson. Clancy had an adventurous spirit and passion for the outdoors that led him to a career with Lands & Forests which later became the Ministry of Natural Resources.
He enjoyed many outdoor activities and travelled from coast to coast with his family throughout the years, up into his 80s. He camped and hiked the Rockies & Appalachians, swam in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, canoed and fished numerous lakes and rivers, explored the shores of Newfoundland and had a fondness for the White Mountains of New Hampshire. In the winters, skiing was his passion. He started with downhill skiing, as a ski patroller and then CSIA ski instructor for many years at Raven Mountain, with countless ski trips to mountains across Canada, the US, Switzerland and Italy. Later his passion included cross-country skiing, where he tirelessly volunteered and maintained the Kirkland Lake cross country ski trails for 30 plus years, culminating in a CJKL Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding service for the community, and the ski trails located behind the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex being named after him.
Clancy will be missed by his wife, Joyce, children Michael (Eleanor) Roswalka and Janis (Larry Demers) Roswalka, and his faithful feline companions. He was an animal lover who had a talent for carving magical creatures out of wood. He enjoyed spending many hours tinkering in his workshop and could build just about anything using wood. He spent many weekends as a ski specialist at Saul's Ladies, Mens and Sports store. He was a reserved, private individual who had a good sense of humour and enjoyed helping people, whether it was to help with their tennis swing, string a racket or mount bindings onto skis. He enjoyed a variety of sports, and loved playing and watching tennis and badminton and later took up golf. Later on in life, his musical talents expanded to include the guitar, banjo and keyboard, all self-taught. He also enjoyed photography and had an eye for capturing captivating landscapes and structures. After work retirement, he rescued and adopted his faithful companion, Meisha, who went everywhere he did. She was one of the best walked/skied dogs in town, thanks to him!
Our sincere gratitude to the staff at Teck Pioneer Residence who made his time there comfortable. In lieu of flowers, if one wishes, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society.
Clancy will be dearly missed. Per Clancy's wishes, following cremation, a celebration of life will be held privately with family members.
Both Walter and I are saddened to hear the passing of Clancy! Worked with Clancy for so many years at the MNR, a very kind and caring gentleman at all times. It was always such a pleasure working with Clancy. Extending our sincerest sympathies to you Joyce and the family. Sending much love and ((hugs)) ❤️❤️
Met Clarence way back at Jerry's Bowling alley, bowled with him Onne Ranta, and Langford Chamberlain for a few years...GREAT memories, Great guy. Clarence did so such much for our community and was awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award, so deserving. Sending condolences to the Family at this very sad and difficult time, so sorry for your loss.
Clancy was such a great skier, he taught me skiing in the 70s. He was so graceful .
My sincere condolences to the family. Wishing you a wonderful memories.
Thinking of you during this sad time. Our condolences and please know you are in our thoughts.
Murray and Monica Haase
Thinking of you during this sad time. Our condolences and please know you are in our thoughts.
Murray and Monica Haase
My sincere condolences. We’re were neighbours for many good years. Think of you often.
My deepest sympathies for your loss. I have happy memories of skiing with your dad, and the lessons he tought at Raven.
As a volunteer member of the KL Ski Runners with Clancy, his vision, persistence and determination in developing & maintaining 11 kms of cross country trail with a team of volunteers was inspiring. He had a great sense of what was needed, how to overcome obstacles and just get things done, whether it was blazing new trail or modifying our grooming equipment. KL has lost an incredible volunteer that dedicated much time and energy to our community.
Janis, I'm sorry to hear of your father's passing, my sincere condolences to you and your family. May your many memories bring you comfort at this difficult time. Thinking of you all.
Sorry for your loss. My sincere condolences.
Your Dad was such an inspiration to so many of us learning how to ski at Raven. He was an awesome skier. I wish you all peace.
Dear Joyce, Michael and Janis,
My heartfelt condolences to you all during this difficult time. I am so sad that such a reconning force has left this world. He made me feel better and smile more whenever I was around him. I can for sure hear his laugh and see his crinkling eyes. He has left us all with wonderful memories and for sure made this world a better place.
May he Rest In Peace.
Sara McCall ( nee Wright )
It was with great sadness that we received the news of Clarence’s death . We know he had not been well for some time but his passing is upsetting for all of us. I got to know Clarence well when we took it upon ourselves(along with Doug Cooper) to rejuvenate the X-C ski trails behind the complex.It was because of his leadership, determination, knowledge, and enthusiasm- sometimes accompanied by some stubbornness- that the trails ended up being something that KL could be proud of!
He was a person of many talents and interests and his willingness to share this with others made our community a better place to live! He was certainly deserving of any accolades he received from the town and others. It is a reflection of his contributions and volunteer work that the trails now have the best of equipment and the volunteer help to maintain them.
A sad loss to our community but hopefully Clancy’s Trails will be used for a long time!
Our condolences to the family and his many friends-/ Brian and Gale
Janis, such great memories of your dad at Raven Mountain. Please accept our condolences and sympathies during this difficult time.
Thinking of you during this sad time. Our condolences and please know you are in our thoughts.
I met your dad at Raven Mountain. He taught both my boys and I how to ski. While Marcel skied with Bob Last. What a wonderful experience. He will be surely missed. Loved speaking with both your dad and mom when we met. He is one man I will always remember bringing the joy of winter into my life during my skiing days.
Claudette and Marcel Guilbeault
Sonny and I are saddened to hear of Clancy’s passing. He was such a great asset to Kirkland Lake’s recreation department for his contributions to the cross country ski trails and the tennis club. I remember his visits to the MacIntyre office on Station Road with Misha. He will be missed!
Our sympathies go out to you in your loss. We enjoyed our meetings with him at the entrance to the trails. He was a great individual!
June and Chuck
So very sorry to hear of Clancy's passing. Thank you Clancy for all of the hard work developing those fabulous cross country trails...rest in peace.
So sorry to read this news. We have such fond memories of Clancy and his family at Raven ski hill. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Paul and I send our Condolences. Clarence was a special friend and inspiration for so many because he was so dedicated to the things he loved- family, skiing, pets, travel, and woodworking. His 'high speed' coffee table is still in our living room. Clarence leaves many sad hearts but also many great memories. May they give you comfort.