Frantisek Emanuel (Fero) Kohucik, 70, passed away on April 15, 2021 in Vancouver B.C.
Fero Kohucik was born May 22, 1950 in Trnava, Slovakia to Maria and Frantisek Kohucik. Fero was the second of four siblings: an older sister Lydia, younger brother Lubo, and sister Gabby.
From a young age Fero loved sports. As a child and teenager, he played hockey and soccer with his younger brother. Sports and outdoor pursuits remained a driving force throughout his lifetime and were the basis of many of his friendships and his numerous adventures.
In 1968, at the age of 18, Fero left Communist Czechoslovakia, and eventually made his way to Halifax, Canada. While in Halifax, he found friendship and community with the local soccer team. After approximately one year in Halifax and three years in Toronto, Fero made his way to Vancouver where he settled for the rest of his life.
Shortly after arriving in Vancouver, Fero enrolled in trade school and began apprenticing as a plumber and gas fitter under his lifelong friend Tibor Harceg. Fero was one of the lucky few that genuinely loved his job. He ran a successful plumbing and heating company for over 40 years, doing everything from new construction projects to service and repairs. Fero was a master plumber who took great pride in his work. He saw plumbing as much more than pipes and hot water tanks; he was especially satisfied when he knew that he was able to help people by fixing their problems. Although he worked less in the last few years, he never really retired because, as he said, “my customers need me.”
In 1977, Fero married his first wife, Heather, and settled in Richmond. They started a family of two daughters, Rochelle, and Kimberly, and one son, Eric. Together they raised the family and ran the plumbing business. Fero instilled in his children a love of being outdoors. He and his young family were regularly skiing in the winter and camping in the summer. In 1987, after nearly 20 years away, Fero was proud to return to his family home with his wife and children. He would return to Slovakia many times over the next 30 years.
Always a sportsman at heart, he played recreational soccer with fellow Slovaks well into his 40’s. There was one time in the mid 1980’s when his brother Lubo was able to visit Canada and they played soccer together for the first time since they were teenagers. His joy and excitement that night when he returned home was immense. Fero was rarely stationary. He also played men’s league and old timers’ hockey well into his late 50’s. If Fero was not on the ice, field, or skis, he loved to spend time at the gym. Practical to a fault, he would often time his gym sessions with a Canucks game so that he could ride the stationary bike and watch the game at the same time.
In 2001, after his first marriage ended, Fero met Lois Tomlinson, a woman who was an even match for Fero’s energy and outdoor enthusiasm. For the next 20 years, right until the end, Fero and Lois travelled the world in search of their next challenge.
Together, Lois and Fero spent countless hours snowshoeing on the north shore mountains and on the Grouse Grind training for overseas adventures. Vacations were rarely poolside, as there was always a mountain involved. They travelled to Africa, South America, Europe, and Asia climbing peaks on each continent. They summited many peaks, most notably Elbrus in Russia, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Aconcagua in South America, and he also, at the age of 60 years, trekked to Everest base camp.
In the last few years of his life, Fero remained active, riding bikes on every sunny day, and taking vacations to Cuba to ride bikes and explore off the beaten path towns and villages. He and Lois loved to load up their truck and go on summer long camping and biking expeditions exploring throughout BC and Alberta. A hard day of hiking and biking was usually capped off by a cold beer or a glass of his favourite wine.
Fero did not waste time. Always an adventurer with a nose to the grindstone work ethic, Fero balanced family, work, and recreation. He was taken from us too early by an extremely fast onset illness. He did not even waste time being sick! Fero lived with no regrets and left nothing on his bucket list.
Fero is predeceased by his parents, and his sister Lydia. Fero will be lovingly remembered by his spouse Lois Tomlinson, and his children Eric Kohucik (Brigitte), Kim Kohucik and Rochelle Janewski (Murray). Fero also leaves behind his grandchildren, Hugo, Quinn, Leshem and Hugh, and his loved ones in Slovakia: Lubo Kohucik and family, and Gabby Horvathova and family, as well as countless friends.
At Feros request there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Saints. Cyril and Methodius Slovak Parish, 472 E 8th Ave, New Westminster, BC V3L 4L2 604-526-7351 or a Slovak Catholic Church in your city.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Frantisek Emanuel Kohucik Thursday April 15th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Vancouver, Province: Colombie britanique