Obituary of George Edward Kubicek

February 15, 1936 - Drumheller, Alberta

June 19, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with the heaviest of hearts and much love, we announce the passing of our father and papa, George Edward Kubicek, on June 19, 2023. He was 87 years old.

George was born in Drumheller and grew up in Canmore. He was a proud Canmoreite and had a profound love for the mountains, which he shared with his family. His fondest memories were of his childhood and the special experiences that growing up in a small town offered: skating in the Canmore arena, dancing at the Cascade Dance Hall in Banff, hiking and skiing surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Rocky Mountains, and fishing on Spray Lakes.

George met his bride Ida in Calgary where they married on May 25, 1963. They enjoyed 51 wonderful years together raising their family, enjoying time spent with friends, camping, traveling and happily tending to their garden.

In 1958, George joined the Calgary Fire Department. Dad was a proud and dedicated firefighter. He was promoted to Fire Lieutenant in 1976 and then to Fire Captain in 1980. On January 4, 1994, he retired as District Chief following a 36-year career.

George was an avid athlete. He played hockey with his fire department “brotherhood” in the Calgary Big Six hockey league and then the Oldtimers league well into his seventies. His career, along with his love for hockey, provided George and Ida with many treasured memories and lifelong friendships.

George’s greatest legacy is his love for his family. Dad often commented on how fortunate he and Ida were to have “a teacher, a nurse, and a police officer.” He always said, “We’ve got the whole city covered.” He took great pleasure in sharing his immense pride for his three children and seven grandchildren. Each of them takes after their father/papa in some way. He has left brilliant, talented, empathetic, funny, hardworking, protective, and beautiful people to carry the best parts of him forward in the world.

George will be eternally loved and remembered by many but particularly by his children Lynette (Rob) Bueckert, Terry (Marcello) Vona, Ron (Spryng) Kubicek; his grandchildren Kyle, Mitchell, Holland, Jeffrey, Olivia, Nicole, and Alyssa; his sister Cecelia (Joe) Busetto; his sisters-in-law, Ines Fiorentini, Anna (Mirko) Pockar, and Silvana Monden, his cousin Bianca Cinel; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

George was predeceased by his beloved wife Ida, his parents George and Margaret Kubicek, his brothers-in-law Tony Monden and Angelo Fiorentini, and cousin Ivo Cinel.

The family, on Dad’s behalf, wishes to express our greatest appreciation for the caring and compassionate dedication of the staff at Bowcrest Care Centre. They did everything in their power to provide quality of life and respect in death. For that, we are eternally grateful.

George and Ida were a team, parted for too long, now reunited and forever in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in Dad’s memory to The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories, Administrative Office, 10531 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton AB T5H 4K1.  Tel: (1-866) 950-5465, www.alzheimer.ab.ca  or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Luke’s Catholic Church (Corner of Northmount Drive & Northland Drive N.W., Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Church Hall. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of George Kubicek, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.