JACK THEODORE KUCHERAWY

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JACK THEODORE KUCHERAWY February 19, 1935 - Sifton, Manitoba January 29, 2015 - Calgary, Alberta Jack loved to travel and he departed on his final journey to his eternal home on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at the age of 79 years after a difficult struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Jack Theodore was born on February 19, 1935, the youngest child of Michael and Annie (nee Lulashnyk) in the Sifton, MB area. He grew up and attended school in Sifton until Grade 12, which he studied in Meunster, SK. He completed his B.A. from the University of Western Ontario in 1957 and his B.Ed. from the University of Manitoba in 1967. Jack also spent time in Quebec and Tours, France where he attended French language summer schools. Jack and Marilyn (nee Chisholm) were married on July 8, 1967 and started their married life in Killarney, MB. For the school year 1968 to 1969 they moved to Plessisville, QC where he taught English as a second language to French speaking high school students. On returning to Killarney, Jack and Marilyn organized many fund raising projects with his Grade 12 French students. He did this for two different years so that he could take the class for a week to Quebec to experience the language and culture. In the summer of 1975 he was selected by the Canadian Teachers' Federation to travel to Bangkok, Thailand for two months to teach English as a second language to Thai school teachers. Over the course of his life, Jack became fluent in five languages. After 22 years of teaching high school French in various places in Manitoba and sitting on committees at the local and provincial levels of the Manitoba Teachers' Society, he moved his family to Calgary in 1979 where he attended S.A.I.T. for a year and earned his Canadian Institute of Travel Consultants Certificate. Jack fulfilled his dreams of travel by visiting Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and numerous sites in North and South America until his retirement in 2000 from the AMA main office. Jack was devoted to his family, his faith and was an advocate for youth development. He was involved with the Navy League of Canada as his children moved through the ranks of NLCC Captain Jackson and RCSCC Undaunted Corps. He volunteered innumerable hours at the local, provincial and national levels of the organization. He was recognized for his untiring service by receiving The Queen's 50th Jubilee Medal in 2003. In his retirement, he was honored to be asked to join the committee to establish Juno Beach Academy, once again volunteering many hours before and after its reality. Jack is survived by his supportive wife of 47 years, Marilyn; his daughter Andrea (her partner Lana); his son Trevor (Melissa) and his precious granddaughter Naya. He is also survived by his sister Stella Locker; six nieces, two nephews and their families. He will forever be remembered as the perfect gentleman! He was predeceased by his father Michael (1957), his mother Annie (1971), his brother Walter (1944) and sisters Mary Burak (2004) and Pauline Ganczar (1992). Jack was truly fortunate to spend his last months in the caring, understanding and gentle hands of the staff at Bethany Harvest Hills. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North Calgary, AB) on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church (835 Northmount Drive N.W, Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. A private family graveside service to follow at Queen's Park Cemetery. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes can be made to Bethany Harvest Hills, 19 Harvest Gold Manor N.E., Calgary, AB T3K 4Y1. "On se reverra" (We will see each other again) In living memory of Jack Kucherawy, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, Calgary, AB Telephone: 1-800-661-1599.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 03, 2015