June 1, 1943 – November 27, 2021
at the age of 78 years
It is with saddened hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Tadeusz “Ted, Teddy” Puchelak at the Shuswap Lake General Hospital in Salmon Arm, BC on November 27, 2021 at the age of 78 years. For the immediate family, a private funeral and burial will be held on Dec. 11, 2021.
Born in Poland in 1943, he later immigrated to Canada at the age of 15 in 1958 to Rosefield, SK where he helped his aunt and uncle on their farm for the next several years. Through a friend in Poland, he was able to connect with a girl who collected stamps. They became pen pals and traded stamps with each other. After awhile Ted was intrigued to meet this lovely woman named Maria and thus he travelled to Poland in 1966. Ted and Maria were married in November 1966 and started their lives as a young couple in southern Saskatchewan. Their first daughter Pamela was born in Swift Current, SK in 1969. Ted was busy constructing houses in Saskatchewan and Alberta at that time. In 1970, the young family moved to Cedar Heights, BC where Ted got a job at the local lumber mill at Adam’s Lake now known as Interfor. The family expanded in BC with the addition of Tanya (born in 1971) and the twins Jennifer and Jeff in 1980. Ted worked for the mill for 36 years before retiring from it in 2006. He had numerous hobbies during his working years and in retirement including woodworking, being a very active member of the Vernon Pigeon and Poultry club, enjoying coffee times with friends at the local restaurants and at home as well as doing many gardening and wood working projects around the house. He especially enjoyed trips to Europe to visit family and friends on several occasions.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Maria, of Sorrento, BC, daughter Pamela (Mark) of Ottawa, ON, daughter Tanya of Sorrento, BC, daughter Jennifer of Vancouver, BC, son Jeff (Courtney) of Kamloops, BC and grandchildren Ben, Charlee and Josephine. Ted also leaves behind sister Helen of Poland and brother Jan (Maria) of Germany, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by parents Jozef and Maria Puchelak, as well as two sisters, Czesia and Wisia, in Poland.
He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. Ted has been described as an exceptional man, a good friend as well as being generous, humorous, very honest and full of energy with a twinkle in his eye. He was one of a kind and will always be remembered by anyone who had the privilege to know him. May God bless him eternally and provide Ted with an abundance of heavenly projects.
Celebration of Life to be held at a later date (summer 2022).
The family thanks everyone for sharing their thoughts, prayers, and wonderful memories through this difficult time.
My deepest sympathies to the Puchelak family. Teddy was one of a kind. I will always remember his kindness and humor. He used to pick peaches for me from his tree when I was on spark watch at the mill.
Teddy was a great person to work with. He sure knew how to dry the lumber in those old kilns. He even made all the moulding in our house in his “spare time” I remember him as a hard working honest man with a sly sense of humour. You will be missed Teddy.
My condolences go out to the family at this time. It is a loss for us all.
Sending my condolences to you all. I was saddened to hear of Teds passing. God bless .
Thinking of the great years I worked with Teddy at the mill. After he retired we would see him buzzing around on his cart in Sorrento and always a big smile on his face. Always had time for a chat..
Our sympathies go out to Teddys family..he was a great man!
I’m sending love and condolences from Orleans, Ontario to all of Pam’s family and friends. May this difficult time bring you together, and hold all the happy memories in your hearts.
Rest in peace my favorite ‘teddy bear’
Great working with you all those years at Interfor.
My deepest sympathies goes out to Teds family.
To my favorite cockarocha
Rest in peace