KOSIK, Michael
1930 – 2021
The family of Michael John Kosik are saddened to announce his passing on January 26, 2021 at the age of 90. Mike fought his battle with pancreatic cancer with courage and much strength for 2 1/2 years. Mike was the 4th child of 13 to Lucia and John Kosik. He was born on the farm in the Pinetorch District of Saskatchewan on April 12th, 1930. Mike left home at a very young age and at 17 he moved to Alberta to work for his two older brothers at Darwell. While working for them he attended Stony Plain High School where he graduated with honors. He played ball in Stony Plain and was the top guy on his team. His claim to fame was pitching 21 strike outs in a game against Wildwood. When Mike was 18, he tried out for the Brooklyn Dodgers. A highlight in his life but he ended up going back to Saskatchewan to help his parents out on the farm. Mike met his wife, Marie Todoruk in 1956. On their first date Mike offered to take Marie to the corner store to get whatever she wanted and all she asked for was a grape soda and a Sweet Marie chocolate bar. From that day on she would be his ‘Sweet Marie’ and they married `July 1st, 1959. Mike worked as a truck driver and gravelled roads all over Saskatchewan and cut the seismic line at the Squaw Rapids Dam. Mike and Marie’s first child, Sandra, was born in 1960 and was quickly followed with a second, Eugene, in 1961. With the two children in tow, they moved to Cynthia, Alta. where Mike began to work for Leduc Construction. This marked a period of many moves for the family and saw the birth of their 3rd child, Richard, in 1964. Ultimately the family ended up in Swan Hills, Alta. when Mike was hired by Shell in 1966. There the family put down roots and lived there until 1978. In Swan Hills, Mike played ball and coached his two son’s hockey and baseball teams. He was always very involved with minor sports and was the president for many years. He served as the zone director for Alberta Baseball for 5 years. Mike was transferred to Olds in 1978 where he lived until his passing. He retired from Shell as a Senior Production Operator in 1988. Retirement for him did not mean he stopped working. Instead, he got a new job working with his son, Gene at the Petro Canada. These jobs didn’t end until the last few years of his life as Mike was known to put in 12 hour days on the D8 cat well into his 80’s. In Olds, he continued to be a community man. He coached the Elks Hockey Club for a couple of years and later he even was able to be the assistant coach for one of his grandsons. One of Mike’s favourite pastimes was watching all his grandkids play any sport they were involved in, go to piano recitals, swim meets or Christmas concerts. He also became Santa when one of his granddaughter’s was in kindergarten. From that one appearance he became known! His picture has appeared in many homes over the years. Whatever Mike did he always took it to the next level with his ‘reindeer dance’ becoming famous around town! Also, in his retirement years he helped with the skating and curling program at Olds Elementary School. He was like a grandpa to many! Mike had a passion and a gift for playing music. He could play any stringed instrument by ear! He loved playing at the Seniors Lodge and various halls with the band he was with. He would take his mandolin when he went on trips with his son, Rick to Dominican Republic. He became well known there and had many followers. Another highlight in Mike’s life was when he went to Las Vegas with Rick and was able to talk coaching with John Muckler, meet Wayne and Walter Gretzky and players Chris Chelios, Hayley Wickenheiser and others. Mike was an avid Oilers fan and as it happens January 26 was Wayne’s birthday. As long as Tim Hortons has been open in Olds, Mike has been a fixture attending morning coffee with the guys. Mike was always able to strike up a conversation with anyone and was able to connect with countless people over the years. He valued the friendship of many, but Ernie Oderski, Jim Waiting and Joe Gramlick were three close friends. Dave Gibbs was also a long-time friend and cohort since the 70’s.
Mike leaves to mourn his wife Marie of 61 years; daughter Sandra (Stuart) Becker of Olds; son Eugene Kosik of Olds; son Richard Kosik of Whitecourt; 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, James Kosik (Ashley Miese) and Vincent, Steven (Rayna) Becker, Jennifer (Mark) Hillier and Madelyn, Ashley (Graeme) Hammel and Belle, Brandon (Kim) Kosik, Jessica Kosik (Dan), Jeremy Kosik and Haley Kosik. He is survived by his brother Walter (Marilee) Kosik of Wabamun; sister Helen from Kelowna; sister in law Midge Vallier of Torch River, SK; brother in law Victor West of Kelowna; sister in law Eleanor West of Sherwood Park; sister in law, Wendy Kosik of Swan Hills, AB; sister in law Noreen Kosik of Spruce Grove and Phyllis Kosik of Edmonton as well as numerous nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Ted, Stan, Joe, Peter, Marvin, Nick and Stephen, his one sister Mary, nephew Lawrence and two nieces Diane and Marilyn. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a celebration will be held at a later date when safe to do so. Memorial tributes may be made directly to Olds Minor Baseball or Olds Minor Hockey Association. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Olds entrusted with arrangements. 403-507-8610 Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Michael John Mike Kosik Tuesday January 26th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Olds, Province: Alberta