Obituary of Joe Figura

Joseph Alexander Figura was born in Flin Flon, Manitoba on February 21st, 1938 to Lajos and Maria Figura. His parents had immigrated from Hungary and hadn't learned English so Joe's first language was Hungarian. When Joe was 12, he met and began a life-long friendship with his future brother-in-law, Percy Pineault. While getting to know Percy, Joe became enamored with Percy's sister, Bernadette. He married Bunny on May 27th, 1961. In the following years their family grew to include their first son, Cory, in 1969 and their second son, Les, in 1974. Joe and Bunny happily celebrated their 48th Wedding Anniversary on May 27th this year. Joe went to work right out of high school at the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co., and worked for many years in the mill department. In 1967, he was offered an apprenticeship as an electrician. Four years later, he became an Industrial Electrician with an Interprovincial ticket which allowed him to work in other provinces. During his career, he worked for several different companies; the Manfor Pulp Mill, at an Electrical Generating Plant and Louisiana Pacific where he remained until his retirement in 2001. Being raised in Flin Flon, which is surrounded by lakes, Joe developed a love for fishing. He liked nothing better than to take his two boys out for the day to try and bring home some fish for supper. Joe had always wanted to travel so he bought a 38 foot Elandon Motor Home. Bunny and Joe were able to travel to Carmel California for his nieces wedding and to various other cities in Canada and the US. Unfortunately, the year he retired was the year of 9/11. Because of the uncertainty at the border they decided not to enter the US for the winter and instead went to Nanaimo where their oldest son resided and stayed until May. Joe hated the rain so much he decided he'd had enough traveling and moved back to Dawson Creek. He found himself to be a person who needed something to occupy his time and in 2004 Joe and Bunny took over the management of Selwyn Place Apartments. About six years ago, Joe discovered floor curling at the Dawson Creek Seniors Centre. He curled three times a week and participated in many tournaments. Another favorite pastime he incurred was picking up and delivering cars to other city centers for Timberline Pontiac. This was one of his greatest regrets when he got sick and couldn't do it anymore. When he couldn't go out much anymore, he spent hours talking on the phone with his family usually arguing politics. Joe passed away on September 10, 2009 in Dawson Creek at the age of 71 years. A Funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 11:00 am at the Notre Dame Catholic Church. Fr. Michael Anyasoro officiated. Interment was held on Septmeber 17, 2009 at the Brookside Cemetery, Dawson Creek, B.C. Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium, Dawson Creek, B.C.