We Remember

DUSIK, Jerry William
January 1, 1970 — January 1, 1970
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Jerry William Dusik, loving husband, father and “Poppa” to his grandchildren. A gentle heart has stopped beating and a beautiful soul has gone to heaven. Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Jolana; daughters Laurie (Bert Mueller) and Terri (Martin Sask); sons Greg (Lori Hutchinson) and James (Kate); and grandchildren Branden, Hailee, Travis and James Jr. He was sadly predeceased by infant granddaughter Shannen Sask. Jerry is also survived by his 4 brothers, Rudy (Joyce), Erv (Marilyn), Joe (Doreen) and Vick (Jude); brother-in-law Joseph Krizak; sisters-in-law Anne Augustin, Mary Betker and Jenny Krizak; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Jerry was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on July 6, 1930 and grew up in Oak Bluff. He received his early education in his home town, attended business college in Winnipeg and then went on to the University of Manitoba where he received his Chartered Accountant designation. Jerry articled with James Smith and Company before starting his life-long career with Revenue Canada. He retired in 1992 and was very proud of the fact he was retired for 27 years. He met the love of his life, Jolana, at a wedding in Winnipeg in 1951 prior to her moving to Ontario where she started teaching. Two years later they started dating and were married in 1955. They spent the first 2 years of their marriage in a 2-room teacherage in Rosewood, Manitoba and then moved to Winnipeg. In 1959 Jerry and Jolana moved back to Oak Bluff where they built their first house and raised their four children until they moved to BC in 1979.
During his early years, Jerry enjoyed fishing, camping, playing cards and was the original “MacGyver” who could fix anything. As a father, he loved taking extended family vacations, starting with 6 people in a small tent, before upgrading to a travel trailer and driving 5,000 miles in one month for a summer vacation in 1977. Some of the family’s best memories are of weekends at Falcon Lake and Grand Beach. Jerry’s love of travelling continued into retirement with many trips to England, Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, the mainland USA and wintering in their RV in California and Arizona. During retirement, Jerry and Jolana also stayed active square dancing in Vancouver and Kelowna. Jerry loved cruising and took the entire family on an Alaskan cruise in 2016.
Jerry was a devout Catholic, member of the Knights of Columbus, parish council member and member of Mission of the Immaculata. He, along with his friend Brian Richards, brought the Alpha program to the former Holy Spirit Church in Kelowna. He spent his lifetime volunteering to better the communities in which he lived.
Jerry was predeceased by his parents James and Florence Dusik; in-laws Anthony and Josephine Krizak; brothers-in-law Al Watson, Louis Augustin, Arnie Betker, Robert Rasmussen and Wayne Cole; and sisters-in-law Lydia Watson, Josephine Cole and Audrey Krizak.
Prayers will be held at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 839 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, BC. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at the church at 10:30 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, with Celebrant Father Cerlouie Jimenez officiating. Reception to follow immediately after the service in the Church hall.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Prayer Service
Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 6:00 pm
Service
Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 10:30 am
Location
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
I am Judy’s sister. My husband and I were so happy to meet you at Chris and Sara’s wedding quite a few Years ago in Fernie. Even though the time that we were together was short, your husband , Jerry left a lasting impression on us. His strong faith was do evident and shared so genuinely – I will never forget him. Such a lovely soul with a light that shone so bright for all to see. May God comfort you at this time and give you the peace that passes understanding.
Sincerely
Sandra and Roydon Rodgers
Please accept our sincere Condolences.
Barb and Larry
I am sorry for your loss Jolana,Greg,Lori,James, Kate. And Family. Jerry was a true Gentleman and I know he will be sorely missed!
Hi James and Kathy,Happy New Year to you and your family.Sorry to hear of the loss of your dad.Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.Hope your day goes well today as you reminisce of the good times spent together. We love you guys and think/pray for you often. Your friends Reid and Deb.
Greg, Lori , Kate and James I just wanted you to know I’m thinking of you at this sad time. It’s hard to loose anyone we love but the patriarch of the family is especially difficult. The simple truth ….the exceptional people you all are- shows those of us who didn’t have the pleasure of knowing your Dad, what an extraordinary and special man he must have been. Blessings and prayers for you and your families. 🙏🏻❤️
My most sincere condolences to Jolana and her family. I share in your sadness as you grieve the loss of a husband, father, and grandfather. I have so many wonderful memories of the “Manitoba years.” .Particularly memorable are the memories of dinners at Oak Bluff, the “family caravan trip” to Disney Land, and the fun holiday camping trips to Blue Lakes, Rushing River, and Falcon Beach. Those were fun times. How excited the kids were when Jolana came to the bonfire with a huge cheesecake freshly baked from her oven in the trailer. Imagine that on a camping trip!! All these years later I still use that recipe! It was always a pleasure to meet again and catch up on news at Anne’s on the farm whenever the Dusiks came to visit. I know that the family will have many wonderful memories and stories to tell that will bring comfort in the weeks, and months, and years ahead. I am thinking of you at this sad time .
In sympathy, Shirley Augustine.
My sincere condolences Jolana to you and all your family on the loss of your loved one. May you cherish all the memories made to fill your hearts with joy as you go thru this difficult time.
Love Gail Augustine
What a beautiful life- full of adventure and family. We are so sorry for your loss,
-The Dos Santos Family
We are so sorry to hear your news. Lydia spoke often and fondly about Jerry. We remember that you always did her taxes, which meant so much to her. We remember Jerry as a gentle person
Dear Jolana and Family,
We were so saddened to hear of Jerry’s passing. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. With our deepest sympathy and condolences, Rolli and Mary
Very sorry for your loss James, Kathy and kids. Love Pam and Dan
Your dad, my Uncle Jerry, was such a great man. A gentleman, kind, caring, generous. He did so much for my family. For all of us. He helped out my Mom and Wayne when Wayne got sick and after he passed away. And when Mom moved from Transcona to St James 10 years ago Uncle Jerry and Auntie Jolana made several trips from Transcona to St. James, loading up their van with her stuff, driving it to her new place, unpacking and moving furniture into place. I witnessed your dad picking up furniture with one hand to move it and thinking, at the time, he shouldn’t be doing this by himself. It was incredible. Your parents are wonderful care givers. I know my mom loved when they came to stay with her at her apartment, the two sisters sharing the bed and Uncle Jerry taking the couch without complaint.
For many years when Auntie Jolana and Uncle Jerry came to Winnipeg they would end up extending their stay because someone needed them. And Uncle Jerry would be surrounded by all of those sisters when they had their reunions… quietly chauffeuring and chaperoning. He was one of the best!
Please know that we are with you in spirit as you celebrate his life. Tell stories, smile through your tears.
Love, Sherry, Ron, Michelle, Glenn, Kim
Our deepest sympathy for the loss of your loved one. Our hearts are with you. From all of us at the Westside Health Network.
My deepest sympathies go out to you James and your family. My heart and prayer are with you at this time..
Our condolences go out to the Dusik family
Jerry did so much for the community of Oak Bluff and will not be forgotten.
Jerry
Dear Jolana,
I am sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. He was such a kind and positive person and we talked a lot when I worked at the Wedgewood – I told him often he was one of nicest people there!
Bless you,
Diane