May 16, 1929 - July 21, 2019
It is with profound sadness that the family of Jan (John) Kuzma announce his passing on July 21, 2019 at the Pines Special Care Home in Kimberley, BC. at the age of 90. He was predeceased by his son, Barton, in 1985 and his wife, Kathleen, in 2016. He is survived by his son, Perry (Shelley) from Calgary and grandchildren, (all of whom he loved dearly): Andrew (Alexandra), Ashley, Brent, and Chantal (Matt and great- granddaughter Whitney).
Many visits to Kimberley will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren as special Christmases and summers spent enjoying his cooking, humour, stories, walks, advice, and life lessons. Being well versed in history, politics, sports, mechanics, and world affairs meant he could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. His love of reading was a pastime that he enjoyed every day. We all feel so honoured to have had such meaningful relationships with a such great, humble man of such integrity, who never forgot a birthday or special occasion.
Born in Kolonica, Czechoslovakia on May 16, 1929, he was the second oldest of five children to Jan and Maria Kuzma. He left Kolonica for Canada at the age of 20 and eventually settled in Port Colborne, Ontario where he worked for the International Nickel Company. It was there that he married Kathleen and started a family. The family moved to St. Catharines, Ontario in 1962 where Jan worked for General Motors and retired after 25 years of service. His retirement years were spent in Kimberley, BC enjoying the peace and beauty of the mountains and surrounding area. Dad (Grandpa) was a generous, kind man, with a great sense of humour, who always had a story to tell about his days in Czechoslovakia and travel to Canada, where the only word of English he knew at the time was, "Okay." He was much loved by his family and will be greatly missed.
A celebration of life was held in August with immediate family and Dad's close neighbours.