Obituary of Joseph Posmikewich

Joseph Posmikewich was born August 8, 1933, in Parkland, British Columbia. He was the second child born to Walter and Stella Posmikewich. Joseph went to school at Parkland until grade 7, when at that time of a young man's life they were more or less old enough to go to work. Joseph went on a trip to Poland with his father, Walter, in the mid 1960's and that is where he met the love of his life, Kazimira Zoibron. The two fell in love and soon Kazimira, only 22, would leave her family in Mielec, Poland and make a long trip to Canada to marry Joseph. Joseph and Kazimira were married shortly after on December 17, 1966 in Viking, Alberta. When Joseph got married the family had already sold the farm and moved to Dawson Creek. Joseph did many jobs during his working life. He worked at the Bennet Dam, Pouce Coupe Highways Yard, construction and then he stayed at Borek Farms until he retired. During this time Dad had a second job, he was a landlord, it always kept him busy. Joseph and Kazimira had four daughters, all born and raised in Dawson Creek. Joseph loved being outdoors whether it was working, fishing, or hunting. Joseph would bundle up the kids and take us all ice fishing. We would drive over the frozen ice, which always scared us, but he knew where the fish were. Joseph enjoyed hunting moose, but he also did it to feed his growing family. Joseph was never a greedy man, and would help anybody out, that was his nature. Joseph was the hardest working man that we ever knew, especially being the only man in a family of six. Joseph's family would eventually grow over the next 18 years as he was blessed with four grandchildren. Joseph and Kazimira shared their 40th wedding anniversary last December. Joseph was diagnosed with diabetes in 1989; it was the start of a few health problems that he would have to deal with. Joseph had a stroke in November 2006, he spent 4 months in the Dawson Creek Hospital, and then he was moved to the Pouce Coupe Care Home, where the staff took wonderful care of dad. Kazimira didn't let the fact that Joseph was in Pouce stop her from making sure that she saw dad every single day for supper. Dad could make anyone laugh with his funny face and smile. Joseph passed away quietly and suddenly with his family by his side at the Dawson Creek Hospital on October 24th, 2007, at the age of 74 years. A funeral mass was held on Tuesday, October 30th, 2007 at 2:00 pm from Reynars Funeral Chapel, Fr. Vernerando Sabacan officiated, interment followed in the Dawson Creek City Cemetery. Joseph is survived by his wife of 41 years, Kazimira, his only brother John Posmikewich of Kentucky, USA, daughters Helen & John Tanchuk, Sandra Posmikewich & Darryl Bumstead, Barb & Marc Risvold, Sara Posmikewich and four fabulous and beautiful grandchildren, Nicholas & Jenna Tanchuk and Amanda & Emily Risvold. Eulogy presented by Joseph's daughters; Sandra Posmikewich & Barb Risvold. Funeral Arrangements were under the care of Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium, Dawson Creek, B.C.