LENCUCHA, Wilfred

WILFRED LENCUCHA 1926 – 2023 Wilfred Stephen Lencucha passed peacefully at the age of 96, where he was greatly cared for by the paramedics, the doctors and staff at LRH and through his last years by Doctors Leam, Weaver and deWalle. Thank you so much. You are appreciated.
Dad was born and raised in Blairmore and was the youngest of six children. He loved the outdoors and, as his house was located at the foot of Turtle Mountain, climbed it on many occasions, breaking the record of his day, climbing it in 57 minutes. He excelled at every sport available to him in the Pass and his team won provincials in hockey. He worked many jobs in the Pass; helping build the coal tipple, digging graves at the cemetery in Blairmore, a projectionist at the movie theatre and hauling timbers to the mine – anything to earn money to further his education. Using these funds, he transferred his studies in engineering to complete a B.Ed. and M.Ed. in the Faculties of Education at U of A and UBC and later worked toward a Ph.D., demonstrating his lifelong passion to further the quality of children’s education.
Dad was a compassionate, intellectual man who had a long career in education. Through the years, dad first taught in Consort and then became the youngest principal in Alberta at the then new Stirling School. He took the superintendency of County of Warner and later Pincher Creek Separate, and Holy Spirit Separate School Divisions and acted as a Math Consultant for the province of Alberta. He deeply cared about the education of students and was highly regarded by them.
Dad was a kind and gentle father with a great sense of humour and will be greatly missed by his loving children: Mark (Diane), Deborah (Maurice), Craig (Lesley), Heather (Lane), his grandchildren and their spouses (Jenna and Dave, Cole and Sarah, Meghan, Morgan and Brett, Amanda and Jeff, James and Kimi, Chris and Kanu), great-grandchildren (Liam, Joel, Etta, Emiko, Reiko, Coen, Remington, Bowie, Sawyer, Maya, Lennon) as well as sister-in-laws (Rita, Simone, Betty Jane) and brother-in-law (Joe) and so many nieces and nephews. Dad was predeceased by his parents (Joseph and Cecilia), his wife (Terri), grandson (Cody), all his siblings (Henry, Aloyes, Joe, Helen, Freddie) and their spouses (Helen, Cecile, Ricca, Elmo, Lilian) as well as Terri’s siblings (Jean, Alice, Cecile, Delores, Babb, George, Charlie) and sisters and brother-in-laws (Harry, Gerry, Benton, Cecile, Amerigo).
We wish to acknowledge two special friends (Daisy Moshurchak and Wayne Bourne) who continued to visit and cheer dad up in the later, more difficult times. Our deep appreciation to the staff and residents, at Adaptacare (Sharon, Pinky, Loretta, Rachel, Allan, Akhil, Joee – you did so much for dad!) and Martha’s House, who brightened dad’s final years. We appreciate your hard work and cheerful caring! Thank you to Father Derek for your visits in the past few months. Dad was so excited to meet someone who was born in Blairmore!
Dad often spoke of the Crowsnest Pass with deep fondness and of his family in Slovakia whom he had always hoped to meet. We love you lots, dad! You ran the good race.
In keeping with his wishes, dad will be privately remembered by his family.
Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.