Born October 3, 1934 ~ Died June 11, 2023
Dad was born on the family homestead near Millet Alberta. His parents Henry and Julianna had immigrated from Poland in 1927 along with the three young children they had at the time. The family ultimately consisted of eight children, one of whom died in infancy.
The family endured financial hardships during the depression and war years, made more so when Dad’s father died suddenly in 1943. A stoic perseverance and determination saw them through, and Dad ultimately graduated high school and went on to a year at the University of Alberta (quite unusual for a farm kid in those days) followed by a year of teaching at a school near Wetaskiwin Alberta.
While teaching, Dad boarded with Herb and Alma Dargatz and met Alma’s youngest sister Muriel. The two began a courtship and married in 1958.
Dad left teaching after that first year and settled into a career in the financial services industry with a Company known at the time as Trader’s Finance. Stints in Edmonton, Moose Jaw, and Regina followed, till a move to Medicine Hat Alberta in 1968 caused the couple to put down firm roots. There they raised their only son Bradley in a loving and caring home.
Retirement in 1987 meant a move to Kelowna BC which became the hub of many visits by prairie family and friends for the next 25 years. Dad was a gracious and proud host, and thoroughly enjoyed his well-deserved retirement in the ‘view home’ in Kelowna.
Mom’s deteriorating health meant a move to a smaller one level home still in Kelowna for a couple of years. When mom needed full time care and was moved to North Vancouver where Brad and his family were, Dad dutifully followed along and became a de facto bachelor. He managed in his own apartment for several years and then moved to an independent living building. Sadly, a physical injury in that location led to him being wheelchair bound and Dad moved to Lynn Valley Care Center in late 2020. Despite his physical injury, Dad remained mentally sharp and witty right till the very end. He was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in early 2023 and underwent a couple of rounds of Chemo before deciding that the cure was worse than the disease.
Dad’s spartan early years embedded in him a deep belief in the value of hard work, financial caution and family. His grandsons Sean and Stephen were a soft spot in his heart, and their frequent trips to Kelowna were an absolute joy and highlight for both Dad and Mom.
Dad leaves to mourn his son Brad (Olga) of North Vancouver, grandsons Sean (Shannon) of Coquitlam and Stephen of North Vancouver. Sweet sister Lilly of Rimbey Alberta is the sole remaining sibling. Numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family also survive to remember Dad.
