PASKUSKI, Albert

ALBERT PASKUSKI 1936 – 2025 It is with great sadness that the family of Albert (Ab) Paskuski announce his passing on February 1, 2025. His family is comforted by the fact that he was able to remain in his own home and passed peacefully in his sleep.
Ab was born at the Galt Hospital on July 28, 1936, to Nester and Gladys Paskuski. He was very proud to be a Galt Baby. He attended the old Westminster school, now the Tim Hortons on 5th Ave. North, Hamilton Junior High and LCI. At LCI he played hockey, volleyball and basketball. He said he also played football for one week under coach Jim Whitelaw who became a lifelong friend and colleague. Following a year working at Broders Canning Factory, he attended the University of Alberta in Calgary for two years, taught at Hamilton Junior High for a year and then returned to university to complete his BEd. He was proud of having a Bachelor’s degree, the first in his family, but often commented his life as a bachelor was short lived as he married Jeanne in November, 1960. He returned to teach at Hamilton Junior High and in 1962- 63 served as the assistant supervisor of Physical Education. He then joined the staff of LCI in 1963 teaching and coaching and was appointed as assistant principal in 1967. He remained there until 1984. He then decided to teach at the elementary level and was assistant principal at Fleetwood Bawden and Lakeview until his retirement in 1993. While teaching he also attended summer schools at the University of Calgary and earned a BA in History in 1967. In 1969 he attended the University of Oregon and earned an MEd in Administration in 1970.
Ab served on the local and provincial ATA as well as a number of community boards including the 1975 Winter Games. He was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame as a Builder. He curled in the teachers’ league and bowled for many years with the KKids – a team of teachers from LCI. He was named the 1959 Male Athlete of the Year at the University of Calgary, the first year the award was given. He played the mandolin and the saxophone and started piano lessons late in life but did not make the time to practice so was told to quit both by his teacher and his wife. Music was important to him and he was extremely proud of his three sons who play guitar, bass, saxophone and piano to this day.
Ab was extremely witty and funny. He could make anyone laugh at a moment’s notice. He emceed ATA events, often providing people with a Ukrainian proverb which always ended with a personal note. Wherever he went, even to the dentist, there would be laughter emanating from the room he was in. His humour was spontaneous and unique. Ab was loved and respected by his colleagues and his students. He could not go many places without meeting a former student who wanted to say hello. He remembered them all plus the nicknames he had given them as well as their families and what they did.
He adored his sons and grandchildren and would do anything for them, so they soon learned not to mention anything in passing that they liked as it would show up on the doorstep the next day. He loved watching his sons and grandsons play hockey and soccer and his granddaughter dancing. He attended every event he could. In the last 11 years even when he was becoming confused, he would frequently ask that we be sure to “get the kids some fries, chocolate bars etc.” Whenever the grandkids stayed over, he regaled them with made-up funny bedtime stories.
He endured a great deal following his brain surgeries in 2013 and the following years of his life. Despite his hardships, he always made everyone laugh with his mannerisms and his comments, bringing so much joy to us all.
Ab is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jeanne; his three sons, Randy (Michelle), Geoffrey (Anna) and Gregory; his grandchildren Sam (Teanna), Theo, Talia and Cole; sisters-in-law Judith Hutchison and Vera Paskuski; nieces Gail Gibb, (Larry) Karen Nyrose, (Blair) Debbie Lutz (Greg); and nephews Gary (Lori) Paskuski, Brian (Anabela) Paskuski, Rodney (Allison) Hackney, Claude (Ana) Hackney, Micheal (Theresa) Hackney, and Tim Hackney.
He was predeceased by his parents, Nester and Gladys Paskuski; brothers George and Roy; his mother and father-in-law, Audrey and Geoffrey Stevens; his sisters-in-law Donna Hackney and Wanda Paskuski; brothers-in-law Claude Hackney and Wray Hutchison and his nephew Daryl Paskuski.
The family would like to thank the health care aides who supported Ab and the family. There were many over the years but those who were here in the last years became part of the family- Paul Fijo, who helped with Ab from day one, Mackenzie Hickman, Tosisiye Jegede, Tamara Thornhill, Rami Ghoul, Abena Asiedu, Fuoma Ugbowanko, and Precious Nnabuife,
A private family ceremony will be held. A Celebration of Life is planned for a future date.
If people so choose donations in Ab’s name may be made to PARP at St. Michael’s Health Centre, or the Alzheimer’s Society.
Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.