We Remember

RECSKY, Alexander Albert

November 2, 1930 — May 8, 2025

With fond memories of a well lived life, we announce the passing of Alexander Albert Recsky on May 8, 2025 in Kelowna. Alex passed away peacefully after a year’s long diagnosis of dementia and a more recent battle with cancer, at the age of 94.

Alex will be greatly remembered by everyone that has had the pleasure of being in his company. His smile and his optimism were infectious. His willingness to help others was noticed and admired by all; as was his desire to volunteer for so many causes in his community.

He and Ruth lived in the Hall Road area of Kelowna for 40 years and enjoyed the friendship of many there. He was well known as “everyone’s Grampa” to friends and teammates of the family.

He will be greatly missed by his wife of 73 years, Ruth; son Keith (Deb); grandsons Kyle (Magda) and Bryce (Chantelle); and great-grandchildren Alexandra, Andrew, and Edwin; siblings Betty Dufour, Irene Recsky, and Bob (Rose) Recsky.

Predeceased by his parents Stefan and Rosalia Recsky and siblings Steven Recsky, Rose Turban, and Helen Hutton.

Prior to moving to Kelowna, Alex grew up in the eastside Calgary neighbourhood of Riverside, where he met and married Ruth, and where they lived for many years. In his younger years, he was an accomplished hockey player and gymnast.

Alex worked at the Downtown Calgary YMCA as Health Services Director, which led him to a long tenure with the Calgary Stampeder Football Club as Head Athletic Trainer. These positions provided a myriad of volunteer opportunities to be involved with local sports organizations and events.  A fond memory of his was the privilege of working with professional rodeo cowboys while they competed at the Calgary Stampede. One of his claims to fame was getting the storied, long-time friend, Bearcat Murray, his start as an athletic trainer for the Calgary Flames.

Alex and Ruth followed Keith and his family to Kelowna from Calgary in 1986. Calgary’s loss was Kelowna’s gain, as he was immediately welcomed and entrenched into the local sports and recreation scene.

Over the years, he volunteered his pleasing personality and his knowledge of the prevention and treatment of athletic injuries with the Okanagan Sun, Kelowna Spartans, Kelowna Packers, Kelowna Rockets, and many marathons, triathlons, tournaments, and other competitive events such as provincial and national championships that were hosted in Kelowna.  He very much enjoyed giving guest lectures to high school students, amateur team trainers, and medical personnel on the prevention and taping of athletic injuries.

Not long after arriving in Kelowna, a chance encounter led to Okanagan College hiring him to coordinate their recreation and intramural programs for their various campuses in the valley. He eventually evolved into similar roles with Okanagan University College and UBC-Okanagan (UBCO).  He hit the then-mandatory retirement age while at UBCO in 1996.

After retiring from his day job, Alex continued to be involved with the Rockets, Sun, and UBCO athletic programs for another twenty years.  He was proud to have not only a Grey Cup ring, but rings for national championships from all of these local teams.

Alex was a long-time member of Gallagher’s Canyon Golf Club, where he was President of their Member’s Association and was also a first tee starter there for many years. He was a President of the Kiwanis High Noon Club and the Kiwanis Housing Society.  Alex was very proud of getting his twenty-year pin as a volunteer at the Kelowna General Hospital. He served on several organizing committees, including the development of the Mission Recreation Complex and the hosting of the Memorial Cup, World Junior Hockey Championships, and the BC Senior Games.

While not looking for recognition for his volunteering activities, he was humbly honoured to receive the Queen’s Jubilee Gold Medal for volunteerism, the Bob Giordano Civic Award in the builder category for amateur sport, and was a two-time finalist for the Fred Macklin Civic Award for his community spirit.  Alex is an inductee of the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame. He was also the first-time recipient of the Okanagan University College (now UBCO) Distinguished Service Award.

Many thanks to GP’s Dr. Brian Warrender, Dr. Maria Verdurmen, and Dr. James Ketch as well as many other health professionals for helping Alex be such an active participant in so many endeavours for so many years.  And to the fantastic staff at Glenmore Lodge for the past 15 months.

While it is sad that we won’t be able to see that smile or positive encouragement in person any longer, he has surely infected many others for them to do the same, and to give them forward.

A gathering to share memories of Alex will be held on SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 2025, at the UBC-Okanagan gym, 3211 Athletics Ct, Kelowna, BC. The doors will open at 10:00 am to allow for mingling, with the formal memories starting at 10:30 am.

While those who wish to honour Alex are encouraged to donate to a charity that best celebrates their relationship with Alex, a memorial award has been created for UBCO students that exemplifies Alex’s outlook on life. Donations can be made to the Alex Recsky Award Endowment at the University of British Columbia online at give.ubc.ca/memorial/alex-recsky, by calling 604.827.4111 (toll-free 1.877.717.GIVE) or by mail at 500-5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3.

Memories (stories, photos, videos, etc.) are much appreciated by the family and can be sent to hallroadpond@hotmail.com

Service
Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM

Location
UBC-Okanagan Gym

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Alex Recsky Award Endowment at the University of British Columbia Link: www.give.ubc.ca/memorial/alex-recsky/

 


Service Information

Service Details


The service for RECSKY, Alexander Albert is scheduled for Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

UBC-Okanagan Gym

3211 Athletics Ct, Kelowna, BC

Phone:

Special Requests:

None.

Funeral Pointers:

 


Condolences

  • Stan Schwartz says:
    May 15, 2025 at 8:31 pm

    Keith, Ruth and the Recsky Family,

    Shirley and I are deeply saddened by the loss of Alex

    The Recsky family will be faced with enormous and profound adjustments. These adjustments will be such that they affect the whole being. The path of grief, hurt and finally acceptance will take time and is one that each member of the family must travel alone. You are fortunate that your family and friends are close and each in their own special way will help others.

    I, like so many, was fortunate to have known Alex as sport’s builder, and most importantly as a mentor and a friend. Alex is one of those special people who helped me see the value of sports and the importance of sports in society. He helped shape my life. Alex Recsky left his fingerprints all over the sport’s scene resulting in a lasting legacy.

    Alex touched my life and my future by helping me become who I am. I will always remember his ongoing support, wisdom and more importantly the friendship that he provided me from my time as a football player with the Mount Royal College Cougars, and through the coaching and executive ranks in the wild and wacky world of professional football. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my family and people like my friend, Alex Recsky. Alex Recsky is one of those special people who helped me see the value of sports and the importance of sports in society.

    However, a more important statement about Alex and the kind of person he was is what he left behind. Alex is such a lucky person to have a caring family and friends. What greater satisfaction is there in life? People are better off today for knowing Alex Recsky.

    Knowing all to well the tough times that lie ahead, empathy for the Rescky family is strong. Remember the good times that will always be there to remind you, for they will help you through the many hurtful moments. Hold these memories fast. Soon they will help you remember with a smile. Alex lives on in your life and the lives of others who knew him. Alex Rescky was and forever will be remembered for his support and friendship to Shirley and me during our teaching and sport’s journey.

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

    Your friends,
    Stan and Shirley Schwartz

    Reply
  • Milica Csoonka says:
    May 16, 2025 at 8:13 am

    “I am so sorry for your loss”
    “My thoughts are with you “
    Milica Csonka

    Reply

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