The world has lost a strong, passionate, wise and caring man. JOHN CHESTER BACZUK passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on the morning of Thursday, March 17th, 2011.

John was born on February 9th, 1926 in Coalhurst, Alberta. He received his education in Crystal Lake, Readymade, Wilson Siding and then completed his schooling in Coaldale. He worked very hard and continuously at an early age together with his parents and brothers in order to make their farm business a success.

John has left a beautiful legacy for the world to appreciate in his surviving family; his loving wife Margaret Ann Baczuk of Lethbridge, Dwayne (Coby) Baczuk of Lethbridge, Brenda Lee (Chuck) Workman of Calgary, Linda Margaret Ann (Leon) Gullickson of Grande Prairie, and Darryl John (Denise) Baczuk of Lethbridge. John's precious surviving grandchildren are; Chad and Destiny Workman of Calgary, Jordan and Dylan Baczuk of Lethbridge, Christopher (Michelle) Gullickson of Toronto, Ontario and Tiffany Gullickson of Grande Prairie. John is also survived by his siblings; Bill (Ruth) Baczuk of Lethbridge and Elmer Baczuk also of Lethbridge.

In the beginning of their lives together as husband and wife, John and Margaret settled on a farm east of Coaldale, then saved up and after a few years purchased and moved to the family farm north of Coaldale. As the family grew, Dad and Mom began also renting land in the Coaldale area and finally in 1974 purchased a section of land north of Lethbridge where they built up their retirement.

Dad was always seen out seeding, tending and harvesting the crop with his family forever and diligently by his side. Almost every morning a group of farmers would gather in the Quonset at John and Margaret's farm in Coaldale with Dad to discuss the current news, the latest and upcoming farming techniques and maybe just a few minutes about who won the hockey game the night before. John always loved a good hockey game and in his earlier years often went to Coaldale with good friends to enjoy watching the local sons fight it out on the ice. Later in life, John still enjoyed a good hockey game with his children and grandchildren in front of the big screen television cheering for the Vancouver Canucks while his family cheered for the Calgary Flames. Those were interesting times.

After Dad's eyesight began to fail, he voluntarily gave up the life of farming he loved so dearly. Taking Mom out for a cruise in their John Deere Gator aptly named ""Lil' Hummer"" became an every day event and one that was looked forward to by both. Dad remained the ""Cornerstone"" of the farm (more than he realized) even in spite of his inability to continue planting, tending and harvesting his crops.

John was predeceased by his mother Mary Baczuk, father John Baczuk, best friend and brother-in-law Johnny Hetesy, sister-in-law Vera Matolsci and brother in-law Garry Matolsci Sr.

We all know with birth, death is sure to come...but there will always be a part of us that belongs to our husband, father and grandfather John.
Thank you Dad for hanging on as long as you could to be with Mom and us kids...you fought the good fight and now you can rest knowing that your children and grandchildren (and generations to come) will survive on the good ideals both you and Mom instilled in us.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4th Street South, Lethbridge.