We are heartbroken to have to share the news of Coach John Iwanski’s passing.
Sadly, he passed away January 6, 2022 at the young age of 67, due to complications of a bone marrow transplant.
He was a track and field coach for over 30 years. He was a Sport Manitoba coach of the year in 2010, a Team Manitoba Provincial Coach and a regular member of many the International Peace Garden camp coaching staffs. Along with his many other accomplishments, he truly built an incredible legacy of a program at Sisler High School.
A beautiful obituary has been shared by his family and we encourage all of our members to share their memories, stories and condolences.
Some of Coach Iwanski’s former athletes have already shared their thoughts and memories and we wanted to share those with our community to remember.
Text on the images reads:
“With great sadness we say goodbye to a man who has impacted so many lives on and off the track. Mr Iwanski, there are many things that I wish I could thank you for.
I want to thank you for your patience, kindness and for always being there to console and guide me after a tough race… or a bad pre-calculus class. I want to thank you for giving me tough love when I needed it and believing in me when I didn’t myself. I want to thank you for always standing at the 200m mark at the end of a race to yell “Go, get ’em!” Even though I would block out so much during a race, that, I could always hear.
I want to thank you for the family that you created. Sisler track was a place where you helped so many push themselves and prove to themselves what was possible. For so many students these hallways were our home and that track team was our family. What a testament it was that you could 80 teenages to wake up for 7am practices year after year. I used to joke that you were my crazy uncle, but truly you were family to me.
When asked why I became a teacher I always say that it is because I want to be remembered for making a difference in peoples’ lives. Truly there is no better role model for this than Mr. Iwanski.” Meagan Paracholski
Text on the images reads:
“It broke my heart to hear the passing of one of many influential people in my life. Mr. Iwanski impacted and helped create opportunities for many at Sisler High School through track and field. His love for the sport fostered a sense of family and community with the many people on the team. He saw the potential in myself and many others while also guiding me in the sport that has been a huge part of my life. I thank you for all that you’ve done for myself and others at Sisler High School. I wouldn’t have had an intro into the sport of track and field any other way than waking up to those early mornings with you coaching.
May you rest in paradise Mr. Iwanski” Jamie Dumaran
We will happily share any additional stories, memories or photos on our Instagram feed.
Our most sincere condolences to his family and to all our members that knew him well. He was a wonderful man and will be sincerely missed.
Comments are closed.