It is with great sadness, that we say goodbye to JOSEPH “JOE” KUSALIK, beloved soulmate of Mary. He passed away peacefully at St. Michael’s Health Centre after a valiant battle with congestive heart failure at the age of 87.
Joe will be forever cherished by his six children: Anthony (Jane Mason), Peter (Mary Chan), Christine (Gerry) Kramer, Marianne Hellawell, Daniel (Rowena) and Mark, 13 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Joe is survived by sister-in-law Mary, his brother Edward, sister Helen Bruneel, the Badura family, and numerous family and friends in Ontario and the Czech Republic.
Joe is predeceased by an infant son Joseph, his parents Steve and Stephanie, brother John, sister-in-law Joanne, and brother-in-law Roger Bruneel.
Joe was born in Fletcher, Ontario and raised on a farm. In May 1954, at the age of 20, he left Chatham, Ontario for Alberta, seeking employment where he met Mary, the love of his life. Joe and Mary were married Nov. 12, 1955 and settled in Taber where he built their first home. They raised five children on the family farm before moving to Grassy Lake, where their last son was born. There they spent many wonderful years working side by side farming with the help of their children. Joe enjoyed being out on an open John Deere tractor. He was instrumental in establishing the Southern Alberta dry bean industry. Work came first, but there was always time for family, fun and his faith. Joe was a man of many talents and ingenuity, and he was not afraid to take up new challenges. In 1987, at the age of 55, Joe and Mary retired to Lethbridge where he enjoyed many of his hobbies, such as growing grapes, making wine, traveling, carpentry and being a grandfather. Joe “loved to talk” and could make friends easily and carry on a conversation with anyone. He was extremely proud of his Czech heritage and truly enjoyed his polka music. Joe was an active member of Assumption parish, volunteered at LSCO, 60+, the Czech club and Knights of Columbus. In January 2016, Joe & Mary moved to Martha’s House. Shortly after that Joe was diagnosed with cancer. He put up a strong fight overcoming it, but as a result developed heart failure. It was a difficult journey for him and his family. His quiet courage and sense of humor was with him to the end.
We will miss you and love you always. Till we meet again. “Sbohem Jozka”
A Private Prayer Service will be held on Friday, November 26, 2021 at 7:00 P.M. with Sharon Hagel officiating.
A Private Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating. Due to Covid restrictions, the Prayer Service and Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and may be accessed via Joe’s full obituary on the Cornerstone website.
Thank you to the nursing staff and Doctors for the wonderful care and support, Joe and his family received at Chinook Regional Hospital and St. Michael’s Health Centre.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Joe’s name may be directed to the Heart and Stroke Foundation (heartandstroke.ca)
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Kusalik Joseph Joe February 09 1934..
Death notice for the town of: Lethbridge, Province: Alberta
Dearest Mary & family: We were saddened to hear of Joe’s passing. He truly was one of a kind. We always enjoyed his company, his sense of humour, that warm friendly smile, those twinkling eyes & he never had a shortage of stories to tell. Joe lived a full life: active in his community, a good farmer, strong in his faith, enjoyed travelling & was a fine example of a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather & a friend to all. We will always treasure all of our fun times & visits here in Chatham, whether it was at Aunt Mary & Uncle Charlie’s farm, St Anthony’s Church etc. Sending gentle healing hugs from Ontario, along with our thoughts & prayers to all of you….. Sylvia(Mojzis), Richard Walker & family!