Obituary of Bernard KNAPIK

November 23, 1963 – Calgary, Alberta
March 20, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Bernard Knapik, a gentle man, passed away on March 20, 2021, completing his journey through life with a smiling acceptance of whatever was tossed his way.

Born November 23, 1963, he was welcomed to this world by loving parents, Pauline and Dennis, and their families and friends. As with many with Downs Syndrome, his openness to love and affection drew everyone he met to him. His early year’s established lifetime friendships at school, St. James Church, the Special Olympics, and other programs Pauline and Dennis found for him. As with any young man, deepening friendships and needs for growth and independence led him to move out with his friends Stephen Whiteside and David Priddy in 1993. He travelled with birthday trips to Hawaii, Phoenix, and Mexico, and other trips to Mexico, San Francisco, London, England, and many visits to Comox to see his good friends Jim and Trudy Beaton. He had various jobs in landscaping, Schooners Pub, and at the Alberta Energy Regulator where he shred mountains of paper. He loved his cheeseburgers, chocolate cake, spaghetti and meatballs, Johnny Cash, the Partridge family, the Calgary Stampede, and country drives with his good friend John Hemstock. He never met a woman he didn’t like, and had a knack for getting pictures of him with his arm around a pretty girl. He was one of the happiest guys around, and a fun man to be with.

He will be remembered with love by his sister Kathryn Raphael, the entire Ibeabuchi family who nurtured and cared for him since early 2018, Stephen Whiteside, Rob McKean, Donald Burns, his friends at the Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre, a long list of previous caregivers, his extended Knapik and McHugh families, and the Beaton and Hemstock families. He touched many lives, and will really be missed. Bernard was predeceased by his parents Dennis and Pauline; and by great friends, David Priddy, David Gascal, Beth Brown, and Karen Follett. 

Details on a Celebration of Bernard’s Life in August will be announced at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Bernard’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre, www.ddrc.ca. There is great appreciation for those at the Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre that promoted his growth and development over the decades, and for the medical staff at the Foothills Medical Centre that provided compassionate care prior to his death.

In living memory of Bernard Knapik, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.
 

View Dennis Knapik's Memorial Card Here