A Father’s Day reflection on compassion, goodbyes, and making every moment count
Jerry Maslowsky and Tara Maslowsky three months before Jerry’s terminal cancer diagnosis.
“She didn’t say a word—she didn’t need to. The moment I collapsed to the floor, she stepped out from behind the nursing station and wrapped her arms around me.”
Tara Maslowsky’s father spent 10 days at Health Sciences Centre, most of them a blur to her. Forever in Tara’s memory, though, is how HSC staff cared for her father and her family.
“I remember little about the medical details. What I will always remember is how HSC staff made us feel during those impossible final days,” says Tara. “The doctors who treated my father like a human, not just a patient; the staff who kept him comfortable; the nurse who held me after I said goodbye to Dad.”
At age 58, the 10 days Jerry Maslowsky spent at Health Sciences Centre were tragically his last.
Tara didn’t have long to say goodbye in September 2016. Away on a work trip, Tara received the devastating phone call: what started as severe back pain just three months prior led to a terminal cancer diagnosis.
HSC staff worked swiftly to diagnose and start Jerry’s chemotherapy—even if it allowed just a little bit longer with his loved ones. Chemo was to begin that Tuesday; sadly, Jerry passed on Sunday.
One of the many ways Tara Maslowsky honours her dad is a tattoo of his handwriting: “I tattooed my non-dominant arm so I can always see his writing.”
“While staff tried to give us extra time, the gift ended up being making every remaining moment count,” recalls Tara. Understanding the toll of being at a loved one’s hospital bedside, the unit staff set up their boardroom so the Maslowskys could recharge and try to find moments of calm before returning to Jerry’s side.
“They didn’t just care for my dad—they cared for all of us. They took the time to answer our questions and made sure my family felt supported. It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Tara Maslowsky worked with her dad, Jerry Maslowsky, for seven years and treasures the conversations they had during their commute.
While Tara feels sadness, she also feels gratitude. “In his final days, I witnessed the same kindness and compassion from my dad’s caregivers that he spent a lifetime showing others.”
L-R: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers honoured Jerry Maslowsky by putting his initials on their helmets the day of his passing, September 4, 2016, (the Labour Day Classic game) and wore the initialled helmets for the rest of the season. The Winnipeg Goldeyes painted Jerry’s initials on the pitcher’s mound on the day of his passing and wore his initials on their helmets the rest of their season.
Well-known, well-respected, and extremely well-loved, Jerry was everyone’s biggest fan. A Blue Bombers executive for 15 seasons (who was instrumental in the creation of the Banjo Bowl!), “Call Jerry” was often overheard at work: Jerry was always free to give advice and a pep talk. He was everyone’s biggest cheerleader.
L-R: Jerry Maslowsky in his element on-stage performing; Jerry’s daughter Tara Maslowsky at the Jerry Maslowsky Tribute Concert at the Seven Oaks Performing Arts Centre where they named the lobby after Jerry and he was the first Hall of Fame inductee.
To Winnipeggers, Jerry was a leader, a visionary, an inspiration. To Tara, he will always be Dad, and she will always be his daughter.
To make a tribute gift in Jerry Maslowsky’s memory, or to honour your father, please select “Make a Tribute Gift” on the second page of our donation form and fill out the associated fields. For more information on tribute giving, please click here or call 204-515-5612 or toll-free at 1-800-679-8493.
By Natasha Havrilenko
