Obituary of James Kunkel

The family of Jim Kunkel announces his passing away on New Years Eve 2005 at the age of 76. Son of William and Grace Kunkel (deceased) and brother of Hugh Kunkel. Dad was born March 2, 1929 in Sudbury, ON and died December 31, 2005 in Calgary, AB. He grew up in Sudbury, ON moving to North Bay, ON when he was fifteen. In North Bay, Dad met his lifelong sweetheart Joan Kelly. Radio broadcasting called and at the age of twenty-one he proudly became the very first graduate of the inaugural broadcasting class at Ryerson University in Toronto. Dad was offered a job at CHAT radio in Medicine Hat, AB in February of 1950. A train carried him West to start his career and await his bride. To his true delight, Joan followed and they were married August 12, 1950. Dad was hired by CFAC radio in Calgary in 1953 and he and Mom packed up the kids and moved. In their life together, Joan and Jim raised twelve children. Dad’s radio career spanned almost four decades at CFAC becoming a household name, “Jim Kunkel – The Family Man”. Mom died in 1986 following a lengthy illness. Succinctly, those are Dads facts, but not his story. If you were a passenger on a train taking your journey through life, you would want Jim Kunkel as the conductor. “All aboard” would be the call as Jim and Joan Kunkel filled each car. Big, small, short and tall, everyone was welcome, along with all their cargo. Room was always at a premium, yet there was always space for one more. Sunshine filled every car each morning, wit, humour, charm and compassion were the meals, with warmth and love being the blankets each night. Once aboard, you were a passenger for life. Every twist, turn, valley and mountain was navigated with grace and good humour. From the original twelve passengers in the first car, thank-you Dad. Jim Kunkel will be daily remembered by his brother Hugh Kunkel (Anne), Jim’s twelve children; twenty-six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Children – Meg (Margaret) Malo and friend Mike Sorokowsky, Kath and Bruce Larsson, Colleen and Reece Kindt, Anne and Norm Johnson, Carmel and Brian Moir, Sharon and Don Hiebert, Bill Kunkel, Joe Kunkel, Tom Kunkel, Leah and Jay Donald, Jeanette Kunkel and Mary Rose Kunkel. Grandchildren, Steven Malo (Leah), Kelly Malo (Flavia), Colleen Malo (Maurice), Kathleen Boschman (Tim), Michael Malo, Elizabeth Larsson, Paula Larsson, Erin Kindt, Allison Kindt, J.D. Kindt, Kimberlie Johnson, Kirsten Johnson, Megan Johnson, Daniel Moir (Sarah), Andrew Moir, Ross Moir, Jennifer Fitger (Kent), Sarah Fitger (Daniel), Kenny Kunkel, Isabelle Kunkel, Hali Fehr, Kelly Fehr-Kunkel, Ken Donald, Mark Donald, Ellery Donald. Great grandchildren, Brittany Malo, Kelly Joan Malo, Tristan Malo, Hailey Malo, Matthew Boschman, Tearra Fitger, Kate Lynn Fitger, Isabell Fitger. The respect, compassion and kindness for our dad shown by the doctors and nurses on Unit 71 at Rockyview General Hospital gave our family the strength and comfort we needed to walk this road with him. You will remain in our hearts. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral (219 – 18th Avenue S.W.) on Thursday, January 5, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Max Oliva S.J., Presider. Following the Mass the family invites you to join them for a celebration of Jim’s life in St. Mary’s Parish Hall. Dad would prefer instead of flowers, that you donate to one of his favourite charities. Rev. J.M. Abraham, S.J., Canadian Jesuits International, Suite 100-1325 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2C4. or Operation Eyesight Universal, 4 Parkdale Crescent NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 3T8. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Jim Kunkel, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.