Obituaries

It is with love and sadness we share the loss of David Joseph Duczek (Dave), who went to be with the Lord on November 5, 2023.

Dave is survived by his wife of 65 years, Susie Duczek (nee Kotylak), daughter JoAnne (Gerard), sons Derrick (Cathy) and Ken (Wendy), along with 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Dave was born on the family farm near Grayson, Saskatchewan on March 7, 1937, to Joe and Eva Duczek (both predeceased) and was the eldest of 3 children, survived by sister Terry (Ray) and brother Robert (Connie predeceased).

Dave’s early years centered around life on the farm, playing ball and duck hunting. He spent many hours riding his bike, training his dog to retrieve and wearing a hole through the barn wall from throwing hundreds of pitches. Whatever he did, he dialed into its craft and found a way to excel.

As a teenager he lived in Regina, Saskatchewan and attended Campion Collegiate. He would return to the farm on the weekends. To pay his way he worked at the Army and Navy Department Store and routinely found himself serving as a translator for customers who recently arrived from Germany.

After high school he moved to Regina permanently and met the love of his life. David and Susie were married on October 13, 1958. He also began his career with the Department of Highways. He literally began by digging ditches and eventually worked his way into the lab. He was asked to train the young engineering students who came for work experience and spoke on behalf of the Department of Highways at conferences.

Dave enjoyed playing golf and was a very good golfer with nearly a scratch handicap. His endless tinkering with golf clubs led to a repair and custom club building business which he continued well into retirement. Yet he always made time to drive his kids to sporting activities, band practise or whatever else they were doing. As an adult he enjoyed many family trips, often returning to the farm with Susie and their children.

When his grandkids came along, he was constantly searching for toys. He loved the eccentric toys like 3 ft. high by 10 ft. long nylon tube or a mini trampoline. The best finds were always at garage sales. His goal was to keep the baseball team of nine grandkids active and occupied.

When they retired Dave and Susie spent many winters in Mesa, Arizona. Their time in Mesa was spent with their retired friends and siblings all staying in the same area. By going south every winter Dave and Susie could enjoy their favourite pastime, golfing, all year long.

Then there was music. Throughout his life he had his repertoire of songs he tinkered with, but at the age of 65, Dave began playing a variety of stringed instruments – violin, guitar, mandolin, banjo, and ukulele. His favourite was the violin. Regardless of how much his fingers hurt he kept practising and his passion for music grew stronger every day. He was mainly self-taught and had the ability to play by ear. It didn’t matter if he was playing with the Heritage Fiddlers, the Serenaders, the Regina Mandolin Orchestra or as he liked to say, “just jamming with my friends” he was happiest sharing music. Even up to his final days he played music for those who he was living with and he loved that Susie would join him in a song. If there’s a band playing for the choir in heaven, you’re sure to find Dave in the mix.

Thank you to all the doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers who have cared for Dave over the past few years. A special thank you to those at Trinity Manor, Cupar and District Nursing Home (Shalom) and the Lumsden and District Heritage Home. Dave was blessed to have so many qualified and caring people supporting him during these past few years. We are very grateful to everyone for their kindness and expertise.

Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 310 Lake Street, Lumsden, Saskatchewan with Father Christian Lindenbach and Deacon Harper Boucher presiding. Interment in Riverside Memorial Park, Regina, Saskatchewan. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dave’s memory may be made to Diabetes Canada or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

With much love we say goodbye for now Dad, Papa and Great-Grandpa.