Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 12:00 a.m.
Sikora, Joseph
Mr. JOSEPH SIKORA, beloved husband of Mrs. Margaret Sikora of Lethbridge, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at the age of 76 years.
Mr. JOSEPH SIKORA, beloved husband of Mrs. Margaret Sikora of Lethbridge, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at the age of 76 years.
Joseph was born on September 7, 1944 in Wayne, AB to Jan and Stanislawa and grew up in the coal mining town of Cambria, AB. In 1965, he began his teaching career in Oyen, first as a classroom educator and then as a teaching principal. In December 1972, Joseph married Margaret and in 1981 they moved with their two young sons to Lethbridge, AB. He taught countless young minds science, math and religious studies at St. Francis Junior High School until his retirement in 2000.
Joseph was a man of faith, a man of love for his family, friends, students and colleagues, and a man of hope for holiness wrapped in the ordinary and in suffering. He loved family and especially cherished his granddaughters Ella and Elizabeth. He was very patient, a good listener, approachable, kind and generous with time, and always grateful for kindness received. He was genuinely interested in his students and in their progress. He was the epitome of a fine teacher and a strong advocate for education with dedication to the teaching profession, leaving a lasting impact on many students.
Joseph was a member of the Knights of Columbus and enjoyed the comradery and friendships made, all the while volunteering his time for charitable purposes. His strong faith in the Catholic Church led to a spiritual life of compassion, selflessness of giving one's talents and time in the service of others.
Joseph loved to travel with Margaret and family with various trips by car in British Columbia, across Canada, overseas, or simply, to Saskatchewan and back. His retirement provided more opportunity to assist Margaret with gardening and keeping the flowers beautiful. He really enjoyed feeding the flocks of birds that appeared every winter in his backyard. He treasured visiting family and friends near and far on those special holiday times and events. He was always genuinely interested in receiving an update on each family member's pursuits, discussing activities and general goings-on whilst being generous of praise. When given the opportunity, he could be found playing bridge for hours, and never turning down a game of cribbage. He was an avid reader and a solver of puzzles. He was man of good humour and nature, and there would either be a wink or glint in his eye for even the youngest niece or nephew just to give reassurance that they were included in a joke.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Margaret, of over 47 years, sons Gregory and Christopher (Kristina) as well as two granddaughters, Ella and Elizabeth. He will also be dearly missed by his siblings: Jenny (Keith) Connell, Millie (Ron) Boruk, Carol Rippe, Helen (Henry) Shiloff, Stanley Sikora, and Lodja (Pat) Sloan; sisters in-law, Rosallie Woloschuk, Patricia Stein-Jones and Anne Novakovski; and numerous nieces and nephews, former colleagues, members of the Knights of Columbus, and friends he met and treasured along his life's journey.
A Prayer Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 - 32 St. S, Lethbridge, AB on Friday, October 9, 2020 at 7:00 PM with Deacon Cliff Bogdan officiating. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, kindly RSVP your attendance to Cornerstone at 403-381-7777 or care@cornerstonefh.ca. Seating will be limited to 90 guests. Facemasks are mandatory and will be available upon entry.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. BASIL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 604 - 13 St. N, Lethbridge, AB on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 11:00 AM with Father Derek Remus celebrating. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, kindly RSVP your attendance to Cornerstone. Seating will be limited to 90 guests. Facemasks are mandatory and will be available upon entry.
Both the Prayer Service and Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and can be accessed via Joseph's obituary on the Cornerstone website.
A special thank-you to Joseph's family physician, all his specialists, nurses, Home Care staff and all emergency personnel and caregivers of Chinook Regional Hospital for their support and compassion for Joseph's health and wellbeing.
Memorial tributes may be made to St. Vincent De Paul Society, the Kidney Foundation or the charitable foundation of one's choice.
Guestbook (26)
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Joe Sikora was a big part of my youth he taught me much and taught me well. He was both my teacher and principal for 5 years. I wish I had reached out to let him know my appreciation. I hope his life was filled with peace and joy. My best wishes to his family. Ron Zaine
Dear Margaret and family, we would like to send you our deepest sympathy for your loss. Our memories of him will always be of kindness and truly caring about our family. He always had a kind word and encouragement for our girls. You are like family and we have been blessed to know you both
I will always remember Uncle Joe. His kind heart, warm voice, and love of laughter.
Mr Sikora as we called him, had a profound impact on me. He carried himself with humility, and optimism. He cared deeply about his students and spoke to them with respect while challenging each of them. He took pride is in his profession, he wore a suit and tie everyday, he was dedicated. His wise outlook and humor were magnetic and made the lives of middle schoolers better by letting us be who we were yet guiding us to do the right thing. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.
Sending my love and thoughts from Vancouver. I have the fondest memories of playing (and losing) at cribbage with Uncle Joe at family gatherings. The laughter, smiles and support that Uncle Joe showed all of our family will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace ?
Dear Auntie Marge, Gregory, Christopher and Family, Please accept our heartfelt condolences. We will always remember Uncle Joe as a kind, loving, cheerful, spiritual person. He was always happy to see us and never forgot to ask how our family was and what we were up to. We loved his sense of humour and his laugh! We loved how much he enjoyed being around all the children in the family! He was helpful to me when I began teaching and always had good advice for my math lessons. He was an excellent role model for my teaching profession, as well and for our spiritual life. Thank you Uncle Joe for being you. You will be dearly missed and will never forgotten. Love Debbie and Larry Frederick
The best teacher I ever had. My condolences to Mr. Sikora's family.
So sorry
Mr. Sikora was our Principal in Oyen Assumption Catholic School... I will always remember him as an energetic teacher. I always enjoyed his classes. One other thing I will always remember is getting the strap for not finishing my homework... AND getting the strap again once I got home... Values were taught and learned... What a wonderful soul... Rest in peace Mr. Sikora
Condolences to Mr. Sikora's Family. He taught me in Oyen and he was the best. I will never forget that he let us do word search puzzles at the back of the room if we got our work done. For me that was a great incentive as I loved those puzzles. Lots of good memories!
Mrs. Sikora, Chris, Greg, to you and the whole family, sending you all so much love and sympathy. Nothing but wonderful memories of Mr. Sikora, his smile, his laughter, all the jokes he and my Dad (Ron Wagner) shared. He left such a great impact on anyone who spent time with him. He will be missed. Hugs to you all ?
I will always remember uncle Joe's kindness and humour. Love to all his family.
I'm so sorry for your loss. May your husband now Rest In Peace . Just remember it's not good bye it is until we meet again.
Our sincere condolences for your loss. Peace and prayers as you navigate through this challenging time.
Sincerest condolences and love from both of us. I will always remember Uncle Joe's wittiness, kindness, and the genuine interest he always took in how things were going. I treasure the conversations we had about the teaching profession, and his encouragement in all things. Playing cribbage with him and my siblings was always a highlight of any family visit, and my heart goes out to all the family. El and I look forward to paying our respects when we are next able to travel to the prairies. In the meantime, know that we carry you in our hearts and are praying for the repose of his soul; may he rest in peace and know that he has been greatly loved.
My deepest condolences to you Margaret and the family. I feel blessed to have crossed Joe's path. He was a wonderful man and will be missed by all that knew him. Thoughts and prayers are with you all. RIP Joe.
On behalf of the fourth degree I wish to share our condolences at this time of loss. May the song of the angles leed him home and guide him along his way.
Margaret, I am shocked and saddened by the news of Joe's death. I knew he was not too well and had not seen him at St. Basil's lately as I have not been going there. My best wishes to you and your family. I know that all those worked with him at St. Francis will miss his jovial spirit. God Bless you and may Joe rest in peace. David Lynagh
My deepest condolences to the Sikora family. You are in my heart & prayers. I have so many happy memories of your family's kindness. May God bless you with his love in this difficult time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May your memories shared help you through these days. God Bless. Deepest sympathy.
I'm so sorry for your loss. You are in my heart I wish I could attend the funeral mass. God bless you Sikora family.
I'm so sorry for your families loss. I miss the days when we were neighbour's. Joe is in a better place now - Tim and Cody
Sending our thoughts and prayers onto Margaret and family. Known as Mr Sikora (Principle) who taught at the Assumption School in Oyen. We all fondly remember Joe, he was a great teacher.
Dear Mrs. Sikora, Gregory, Christopher and families. My most sincere and deepest sympathy to you and your family. I send you caring thoughts in this time of sorrow and may the happiness and wonderful memories that you all shared be warmly remembered. God Bless.
My condolences to Mrs Sikora and her family. Mr Sikora will be fondly remembered as he was my favorite teacher and I know he was for others also. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Condolences for your loss. Love and hugs Aunt Marge, Gregory, Christopher and family. Uncle Joe's love of you all was evident everyday. May God's love embrace you during this sad time. He was a phenomenal man.