JOHN ZUK

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JOHN ZUK 1919 - 2011 On August 10, 2011, with his wife of 65 years at his side, John Zuk passed away peacefully at St. Joseph's Residence. He is survived by his loving wife Anne, son Jim (Pat), daughter Shirley Bethune (Jim), and grandchildren Joanne and John Zuk. Born on the farm in Hamrlik on October 25, 1919, one of six brothers and seven sisters, John trained in Toronto as a machinist during the war before he came home to Manitoba in 1946 to marry the love of his life, Anne Leduchowski. As an independent contractor, he carved roads into the remote areas of the province with his dragline. Once his daughter was born and his son had to start school, he moved to Winnipeg, worked in home construction, and eventually started the Sparkle Car Wash. After shining up the city for many years, he went on to specialize in auto detailing until retirement. Retirement saw John (aka Dad, Jaju, and Big Guy) devoting time to work at the things he loved. He fished. He spent many days pulling the levers on the TD6 on his son's farm. And he fished. He became skilled at the art of stained glass. And he fished. He enjoyed coffee with his buddies. And he fished. Alongside his family, John spent his happiest days with a line or three in the water near his summer cottage at Wendigo. When that froze, he drilled holes in the ice, and he fished. In 2009, John moved to St. Joseph's Residence. Despite the finest of care, the sparkle in his blue eyes dimmed, the memories and fish tales faded. In Papa John's final hours, his family was deeply touched by the devotion of the many staff members who helped him gently on his way. According to John's wishes, a private memorial and interment of his ashes at Glen Eden has taken place. Father Raphael Glofcheski officiated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 20, 2011