John Kucik, Jr. passed away at The Meadows in Swift Current, Sk. December 3, 2016 at the age of 87. Prayer Service was held December 09, 2016 from Warren's Funeral Home in Swift Current, Sk. with Zoria Shumay officiating. The Funeral Mass was held December 10, 2016 at 1:00 PM from Christ the Redeemer Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Msgr. Reymundo Asis officiating, and Interment December 13, 2016 at Ponteix Parish Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers were his Grandchildren and all those whose life he touched. John is survived by his two daughters Mary Ann (Laurent) Dudragne of Swift Current, Anna Marie (Emile) Liboiron of Medicine Hat, four grandchildren Michael (Nicole) Liboiron, Joel Liboiron, Michelle (Jeff) St. Amand, and Ryan Dudragne, three great-grandchildren Reid and Tatum Liboiron and Aiden St. Amand, two Sisters-in-law Rollande Kucik of Ponteix and Mary Swicheniuk of Saskatoon as well as a two nieces and seven nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 51 years Agnes (2007), daughter Mary Agnes (1956), his parents John, Sr. (1972) and Maria (1996), his brother Michael (2016), 1 brother-in-law and 2 sisters-in-law. John was born in Tovarne in what is now called Slovak Republic March 16, 1929. His father left for Canada in April, 1930. November 18, 1938 young John and his mother left their home forever, starting their journey across Europe to Paris, then on a boat to Canada. The morning of December 08, they woke up in Halifax, Canada, and prepared for the train trip west to Cadillac. They arrived in Cadillac, Sk. the evening of December 17. John was first enrolled in the Cadillac School and had to learn English as he went along. He attended a few small country schools up to 1944. He was a hard worker. Even when he had to board away from home to go to school, he worked for his keep. When he left school at age 15, he went to work for farmers until he had saved some money to rent a half-section of land. Having no machinery, he worked for a local farmer in exchange to use his farming equipment. Eventually he was able to buy a small farm in the Beaver Valley District. He knew what he wanted and worked very hard to get it, dealing with obstacles as they came up (and in farming, there are always obstacles.) He was very proud of his first truck he purchased in 1950 – a one-ton Ford. He spoke of it often. He met his future wife, Agnes Fenske (from Kelvington, Sk) in early 1955. They were married July 2, 1955. Ten months later their first born arrived but died at birth. In April 1958 Mary Ann arrived, and December 1959 Anna Marie completed their family. John was a loving husband and father, working hard to provide for his family. He also cared for Agnes through a number of illnesses. He loved farming. From growing and harvesting the grain to raising a few cattle, he loved it all. (All our cattle were named!) We always had a horse, a dog and cats. He had a special bond with his old horse Banner, and with the last dog we had – Jupiter. He didn't just work hard… he also enjoyed hunting, trapping, fishing, playing cards, reading, and visiting with family, friends and neighbours. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. In 1973 he sustained a back injury that made it very difficult to continue farming. He had to make the hard decision to sell the farm. John, Agnes and the girls moved to Ponteix June 1975. John worked at the Cockshutt Implement dealer in Ponteix, and then later drove the fuel truck for the Imperial Oil Agent. Kids along his route loved to see John drive into their yard – and many dubbed him "the Candy Man" because he always had a pocketful of candy to share with the kids. Within a year, they bought a lot and moved a new house in, eventually buying the lot beside them as well. John and Agnes spent the next several years lovingly and proudly nurturing trees and flowers in their yard. John spent hours upon hours of hard work in his yard. He said it isn't work when you are doing something you love to do. In addition to spending time with family and friends and looking after their yard, John and Agnes enjoyed quiet times fishing at Gouverneur Dam, helping Mike in any way they could with the Ponteix Boxing Club, and of course attending the Boxing Cards. In April 2007, just as they were packing up in Ponteix to move to Swift Current due to Agnes' failing health, Agnes passed suddenly as a result of an accident. John had to move into Swift Current without his life-partner. It was very hard on him. Over the next six years, he spent many hours working in Mary Ann's yard tending to the flowers, tomatoes and trees. The yard never looked as good as it did when he was caring for it. He made friends with a number of people in Golden West Manor and loved to play cards and floor-bowling, as well as helping to look after the flowers and trees. John and his special friend, Beatrice Berge, enjoyed playing cards, cooking and sharing meals, and even canning fresh fruits and vegetables. They also enjoyed going to the Senior's Centre to play cards, visit, and participate in pot-luck meals until their health started to fail. John was strong in his Faith and lived his Faith daily always putting God, his family, and others first, and always willing to help someone out anytime, anywhere. He prayed daily and enjoyed reading his Bible. John loved his family. He was so very proud of his daughters and their families, and his grandchildren were his pride and joy. He always called all of us 'dear'. John's health was starting to decline, then on July 7, 2016 he tragically lost his beloved 'kid brother' Mike. This was the final blow that broke his Spirit. On November 3, his failing health caught up to him and John was admitted to the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current. On November 25, he was moved to The Meadows. He passed away on December 3. While in the hospital in November, John quietly said to one of the health care team, "Time goes fast, but memories fade slow." John will be sadly and greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Rest in Peace our beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. A tribute to our Grandfather Grandpa,
There's a special kind of love that grandchildren have for their grandparents. It's filled with respect for their wisdom and accomplishments with gratitude for the values they've given us
with delight in the stories of our family that they remember and share. It's a special kind of love that's built on a lifetime of caring and giving. It's the kind of love that's felt for you Grandpa, today and always. Donations in memory of John Kucik can be made to Christ The Redeemer Building Fund 600 Circle Drive Swift Current, SK. S9H 4E1. Arrangements were entrusted to Warren's Funeral Home. For further information call 306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members in our book of condolences.