Obituary of Jacob Kucharuk

Jacob "Jack" Kucharuk was born May 7th, 1923 in Dumaniwko, Ukraine to parents Matrona and Gregorz. In the late spring of 1929, Matrona and Gregorz made the difficult decision to leave the Ukraine and travel to Canada in search of a better life for their family. They boarded the ship, the "Empress of Scotland" with their children Steve, Walter, young Jack and wee Anna in tow. June 16th, 1929, the ship landed in the Port of Quebec and the Kucharuk family planted their feet firmly in Canadian soil. Now away from their native Ukraine, Matrona became Mary and Gregorz was referred to as Harry. Young Jacob became known as Jack. The Kucharuk family journey was not yet over. They traveled by train to Winnipeg and after a brief stay, continued on their journey to Volin, Alberta. In May of 1931, Jack's youngest sister, Nadia known as Nettie, was born. The family was complete. This is where we want to believe that the story slows and the family settles into a comfortable life, but tragically, it was not to be. In November of 1931, Jack suffered the sudden loss of his young father. Mary now found herself without a husband and provider, caring for five children in a country that still was quite foreign to her. After Harry's passing, circumstances brought Mary Kucharuk and Matt Bilawchuk together and they soon married. The new family relocated to Spirit River and Jack welcomed step-brothers and sisters; Sophie, Peter, Johnny and Billy. In 1939, World War 2 began and the strong, strapping young teenager Jack Kucharuk decided he would leave the family farm and join the army. His family would have preferred to see him stay safely in Canada, but young Jack would not be dissuaded and convinced the Canadian Military that he was old enough to join. After a months training in Red Deer and further training in North Bay, Ontario, Jack came back to Spirit River for a short time, just before being shipped out to Europe as a mechanic with the Calgary Highlanders, 2nd Division. We owe our freedom to men like Jack Kucharuk, who worked alongside other young men, with an average age of less than 22 years. But it wasn't always work and no play. In 1945, Jack and fellow soldier, George, were walking behind two young English Roses.Eileen and Meagan Ellis. Eileen and Meagan had just left the small cafe where they both worked and were walking home together. Jack and George, both in uniform, were flirtatious and complimentary..I think that they knew pretty girls when they saw them. The girls were wary of these Canadian soldiers.you could never be too careful. In order to appease the young men, Eileen and Meagan set a date to meet up with them.knowing full well that they wouldn't keep the date. This is where the story gets a little grainey and we have to forgive Eileen for not remembering every little detail. Let's rememberit has been more than 65 years since they met and marrieda girl can't remember everything. This is what I would like to imagine happened. After Eileen didn't show up for their meeting, Jack went to the cafe where he knew that she and Meagan worked. Looking through the window, Jack saw the young, pretty redhead working inside. Opening the door, he stepped across the threshold. The music playing in the background was Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller. Eileen looked up and saw the fair-haired Canadian boy with the beautiful blue eyes and her breath caught. He smiled, she laughed and the restthey say is history. During their courtship, Jack would come to visit Eileen and her sister in their small, rented flat. Often he would bring special items for them such as canned ham that he could get from the Red Shield Club. The solider and the English Rose married on October 26th, 1946 in South Wales. Jack traveled back to Canada in December and received his discharge papers a month later. It was during this time that Jack, proud of his service, became a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. First joining the branch in Spirit River and later becoming a member of the Dawson Creek Branch #141. Eileen stayed behind in the now liberated Europe to celebrate Christmas with her family. In 1947, Eileen crossed the Atlantic on the Aquatania with over 1200 other war brides and joined her new husband in Northern Alberta. Life began to get very busy for the young couple. After working briefly in Grande Prairie as a mechanic for the Department of Public Works, Jack and Eileen moved to Spirit River to farm. They welcomed their first child, Jacqueline in November of 1947 and the young couple worked hard at creating a life on the farm. In 1953, they welcomed another daughter, Linda (her father called her Lindy) and at this point I think both Jack and Eileen began to wonder if they could make a life for their growing family on the farm. With only a section availableit was beginning to become apparent that the life that Jack wanted was not going to be possible if they remained on the farm. They decided to head west into British Columbia. In 1955, Jack, Eileen, Jacqueline and Linda moved to the now booming Dawson Creek and Jack went to work, yet still managing to farm on the weekends. The farm remained an intrinsic part of their lives. For many, many years they planted a large garden at the homestead and of course seeding and harvesting needed to be done. Even after Jack was no longer actively farming, he enjoyed taking a drive out to the property. On October 3rd, 1960, Robert John was born. Known to many as Bob, but known to his father as Bobby. The small family: Jack, Eileen, Jacqueline, Lindy and Bobby was now complete and Jack was committed to giving them everything that the world could offer. The small home known as "1601" was getting cramped for the family of five and the recent flooding from the creek was a little too close for comfort. In 1961 they built a brand new home and that is the same house where they remained together until now. He will lovingly be remembered by his wife of 65 years Eileen and his children: Jacqueline and her husband Lorne, Linda, Bob and wife Judy. Jack will also be fondly remembered by his six Grandchildren: Deris, Michelle and her husband Greg, Brian and wife Krista, Jennifer and husband Bob, Amy and partner Ian, and Matthew. Three Great Grand-sons Charlie, Carter and Ben. Jack also leaves two sisters, Ann and Nettie. Jack was predeceased by his mother Mary and Father Harry, Stepfather Matt; brothers Steve and Walter. As Jack would say "Seeing you then" Memories of Jack presented by daughter in law; Judy Kucharuk. Jack a long time resident of Dawson Creek, B.C. passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 in Dawson Creek, at the age of 88 years. A celebration of Jack's life was held on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 2:00 pm from Reynars Funeral Chapel, Captains Francie and Roger Lee officiated, Interment will be at a later date. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Jack to the South Peace BC SPCA Branch 637 - 114 Ave, Dawson Creek, B.C, V1G 3A1 Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium