George Koczka passed away peacefully on Monday June 5, 2017 at 90 years of age. He will be loving remembered by his family: children, Dennis (Gail Upton), Karen (Teddy Kish deceased); his grandchildren Kody Koczka, Darlene Kiss, Amanda Booth (Shane) and great-grandchildren Kayleigh Kiss, Sierra Booth and Mickayla Booth; his brother Robert Koczka (Jean McLean) and his sister-in-law Mary (John Koczka deceased) the children of his later life partner Irene Cain (deceased), Jeff, Rob, Rodney (Laurie) Robert (Jacquie), Shannon (Cameron) and their children, and numerous nieces and nephews. George was predeceased by Marion (nee Mitchell), his wife of 52 years, in 2002; and his later life partner Irene Cain, in 2015. He was predeceased by his mother Matilda (Balogh); father Mike Senior; brothers John and Mike; and sisters Annie Zoney, Rose Robbestad, and Tillie Schaan; son-in-law Teddy Kiss, and a great-grandson Grayson Kiss.
On June 17, 1926 George Stephen Koczka was born to Matilda (nee Balogh) and Mike Koczka Senior in the Plunkett area. He grew up on the family farm and attended school at the Farina country school several miles from the Koczka farm. He helped on the farm while attending school. In his early 20’s he moved to Toronto to work for Massey Ferguson, where he worked until his retirement in 1979. In Toronto, George met his bride to be, Marion. They married in 1950. Together they built a life and had two children Dennis in 1951, and Karen in 1955. George and Marion enjoyed a wide range of activities including, music, dancing, playing cards, fishing, watching sports, garage sales, restoring and repurposing old items, and spending time with family and friends. They would work hard from September to June and would spend summers at the Koczka family farm. In 1979 after retiring, George and Marion and Karen moved to Watrous. They enjoyed retirement and being close to family. George was always helping others in the community; he would often drive elderly people to their medical appointments in Saskatoon and do errands for them. For many years George and Marion spent the winter in Mesa, Arizona. A few years after Marion’s passing, George found a companion in a long time friend Irene Cain. They proved to be great partners and enjoyed each other’s company and dancing, music, card playing, watching sports and participating in family events. Irene passed in 2015. George continued to live on his own until his passing. He will be sadly missed by all those who knew him.
The Funeral Service will be held in the Watrous United Church, Watrous, SK on Friday, June 9, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Karl Shin officiating. A Visitation for Family and Friends will be held in Fotheringham’s Funeral Chapel, Watrous, SK on Thursday, June 8th at 7:00 p.m. For online condolences, tributes or to make a donation “In Memory of George Koczka” to the Canadian Cancer Society or Watrous Hospital Palliative Care Unit please visit www.fotheringham-mcdougall.com