Joseph “Joe” Kulbaba

January 24, 1932 – January 2, 2024

At the age of 91, Joe peacefully joined his Chicken who he missed, dearly.

Joe was born in Landerville, Manitoba to Pete and Mary Kulbaba.  Being a blended family there were many siblings when Joe arrived in ‘32: Walter, Mike, Wanda, Pauline, Katie and Joyce.  Most of them were gone from the Farm by the time Joe arrived and after that, two more little ones joined him, Frank and Bernice.

Dad liked to reminisce and always had a sparkle in his eye when talking about his parents, especially his Mom.  Following a stint working away from home, Joe bought his Mom her first wringer-washer.

Sticking relatively close to the Lac du Bonnet area, he worked in logging camps, built homes and did carpentry work for Osis.  Joe’s predominant career was with Cold Spring Granite, where he completed 35 years of service finally retiring in his 70’s.

Still so much to do once retired Dad grew the biggest garden of vegetables.  Gardening started in the winter with planting seeds and babying seedlings until it was time to move them outside to the homemade greenhouse on wheels and eventually the garden.  At times you could catch Dad with his paint brush pollinating the squash, picking bugs off the plants and digging out cutworms.  Whatever it took to yield the quality he was looking for.  Garlic was a staple, there was always a fresh slice of bread with a “farm” garlic to go with it.  Yard maintenance was pretty serious business as well.  The Farm looked like a park – it was beautiful.  During the winter months Joe kept busy with numerous wood working projects such as games, shadow animals, benches, rockers and stools.

Also important to Dad was taking care of his body.  He was an avid reader on health and kept up with all the new supplements and vitamins.  Weekly, Dad and Chicken would head to Winnipeg or Selkirk for vitamins, groceries and lunch.  There was always something at Canadian Tire with Joe’s name on it.

Uncle Joe also had various nieces and nephews hanging around the Farm to help around the yard.  Most learned how to drive well before the legal driving age as there were always trucks and tractors that needed to be steered.  He had patience and truly loved having them by his side.

Having hearing issues didn’t stop Dad from playing a multitude of instruments; fiddle, guitar and accordion.  He played at various dances, weddings and house parties, and he played all by ear.  Surprisingly, he could not read a note.

Joe met and married Velma Cosens (Chicken) blending their family.  They designed and built their own house while farming the land and working fulltime jobs outside the home.  Dad took pride in all he had done and achieved with little schooling and being hard of hearing.

Joe is survived by his and Velma’s children:  Rick (Shirley), Deb (Joe), Alan, Louise (Tim), Dennis and Darlene (Shawn); grandchildren (great-grandchildren): Stephanie (Artemis), Wendy, James, Jessica (Isabella, Kingston) and Cole, and his brother Frank (Wolodymyra) and sister Bernice (Raymond), nieces and nephews.  Predeceased by grandchildren Jeremy and Amy.

Rick and I cherished Joey and Chicken’s trips to the West Coast.  They came by plane, train and bus.  Travelling was not one of their favourite things, leaving the garden was stressful so November became travel month.  So many fond memories, we enjoyed perogy making days, Chicken’s delicious roast dinners and Dad helping in the garden.  They taught us with love and humour.  One day I came home to Joey, Chicken and Mom giggling at the kitchen table.  A toast was made to George with his homemade wine, it was quite tasty…. RIP our dear parents your laughter will always ring in our hearts.

It is said it takes a village to raise a child, we have learnt it also takes a village to take care of that child when they age.

Over the last two months there were many people that were kind, compassionate and respectful.  Thank you to Clive and the Daley Pharmacy staff, Home Care teams in Lac du Bonnet and Beausejour, Ambulance Attendants, Beausejour Hospital, The Ironwood Gardens, Dr. Bruneau and the LdB Medical Group, Pinawa Hospital and Sobering Funeral Chapel.

As Dad would say “thank you very many”.

If family/friends so desire, memorial tributes can be made to a charity of your choice.

Cremation has taken place and no formal service will be held.

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com

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