It is with great sadness that the family of John Golik announces his passing on July 5, 2021 at the age of 88. Dad was born in Crescent Valley, BC on June 4, 1933 and grew up on the family homestead in South Slocan, along with his older sisters Lily and Olga.
Dad did his schooling in South Slocan and Nelson. During that time, while always tinkering in the basement, realized his calling as an auto mechanic, so he enrolled at Calgary Tech and eventually received his Red Seal certificate in 1965 while working at Kay Motors in Trail.
After moving back to South Slocan, he met the love of his life, Kathleen Gallicano and they married in Nelson in October of 1957. While living in Nelson, they started their family. After their sons Michael and Patrick were born in Nelson, they moved to Trail and it was there that their daughters, Laurie and Frances, were born. Dad was hired on at Kay Motors GM dealership in Trail and soon became the go to mechanic by many customers. In 1973 Dad was hired on at West Kootenay Power in South Slocan and worked there until his retirement in 1995 at the age of 62. When his dad, Charles Golik, passed away in 1977, Mom and Dad decided to buy the house and his dream was fulfilled. They spent their retirement years living in his childhood home. They spent their time gardening, doing renovations, taking drives to see local areas and they enjoyed fishing.
Mom passed away in 2001 and Dad continued to live there working the land. He also enjoyed doing some travelling, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and loved to take pictures of all his adventures. But, at 85 years of age he decided it was getting to be too much work and moved to a senior’s apartment in Castlegar. After two and half years, with his health failing, he moved into Rose Wood Village assisted living and eventually ending up at Poplar Ridge Pavilion in Trail. The staff at Poplar Ridge did their best to make Dad as comfortable as possible, but with his health failing so quickly, we realized that there wasn’t much else they could do for Dad. Our family appreciates the great care that the staff at Poplar Ridge gave Dad and we send them a heartfelt thank you.
Dad was that family guy, loving, caring, thoughtful, committed and always there for us. He was a great father, husband, grandpa, uncle and friend. He will be dearly missed by his family and everyone who knew him.
Dad was predeceased by his parents Charles and Draga Golik, his wife Kathy of 44 years, his daughter-in-law Jody, and his sister Olga Miller. Dad is survived by his sister Lil Negrey, his sons Mike (Colleen), Patrick, daughters Laurie (Kevin) Hergott and Francie (Steve) Hinchcliffe and grandsons Kyle, Ryan, Adam, Chris, Eric and Bryan.
To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.castlegarfuneral.com
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de John Golik 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Castlegar, Province: Colombie britanique