Mike Kuzek was born on March 24, 1921 in Canora, SK to Pete and Annie Kuzyk. He was the second of six children: Paul, Petress, Walter, Steve and Stella. At the age of 10, Mike and the family moved from Canora to the McElhanney District. Mike attended school at Blighty until he got his grade eight. When he completed school he stayed and helped his dad work on the farm, in the bush and also cleared land.
At the age of 22, Mike enlisted in the army at Little Mountain, BC from there he went to Courtney, BC for training. Later Mike went to Halifax, NS and Fort Lauderdale. During the war, Mike was in Jamaica as a Lieutenant/Corporal he was a Rifleman guarding prisoners of War. Mike returned home in 1946.
Mike and Anne (Burdeniuk) got married on April 28, 1946. They lived on the farm in the McElhanney District. There they had nine children. Mike and Anne worked hard while farming and raised cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys, sheep and horses. In the winter months Mike worked in the bush. Mike hunted and worked long days to provide for his large family. In 1965, they along with Anne’s father Harry Burdeniuk built their house in the Neely Lake Area. They moved into it a few days before Christmas. Two more children were born and their family was complete.
Mike and Anne were two of nine parents that formed the Porcupine Plain Chapter of Saskatchewan Association for mentally handicapped. In 1974, they formally established Porcupine Opportunities Program Inc - to which it was to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Their youngest son Dennis is one of those proud residents of this wonderful facility.
Mike loved to go dancing, fishing, curling, golfing, playing pool and card games. Crib was his favorite game, and he challenged many family and friends to play. Mike was a member of the Legion in Somme and the Elks Club of Weekes.
Retiring at the age of 70, Mike moved to Prince Albert, SK. He soon moved to Oliver, BC, where he enjoyed the warmer weather. As his health was changing he soon moved to Penticton, BC in an assistant living lodge. In 2016, family requested that he moved to Mayerthorpe, AB to the Pleasant View Lodge closer to his children. In November, 2018, Mike moved to the Extendicare Facility where he lived until his passing on March 18, 2019 with children by his side.
Mike was predeceased by his parents Pete and Annie Kuzyk; brothers Walter and Steve; sister Stella; son-in-law Tom Briggs; daughter-in-law Cynthia Kuzek; wife Anne Kuzek; brothers-in-law: Matt Burdeniuk, John Burdeniuk, Maurice Wawryk, Pete Foga; and sister-in-law Dorothy Kuzek. Mike is survived by his son Dwight (Virginia) and children: Deseree (Joel), Bryson (Jennifer), Dallas (Crystal), and Shayne; daughter Karen (Earle) Chase and children: Kimberly (John) and Gregory (Susan); son Gary (Charlene) and children: Trenton (Jessica), Taylor (Rachelle) and Aaron (Barrett); son Maurice (Robertine) and children: Darnell (Taya), Tyson and Renae (Andrew); daughter Fern (Michael) Saufert and children: Christine (Todd), Jeff (Lana) and Stacey (Alex); daughter Marie (George) Chalifaux and children: Jeff and Nick; son Russel and children: Courtney (Darcy) and Channing (Scott); son Wayne (Delores) and children: Trisha (Jason) and Cody (Randi); son Michael (Darlene) and children Amanda (Chris) and Graham; daughter Deloris (Wayne) Hunter and children: Chantelle (Jon), Travis (Chelsey) and Chad (Jessica); son Dennis; great-grandchildren: Eli, Tanner, Jenson, Josie, Dillon, Brooklyn, Liam, Orla, Nathan, Dustin, Rowan, Brooklyn, Tatum, Sawyer, Rylee, Kenley, Talen, Ethan, Jordyn, Kayla, Tyrell, Alexander, Karson, Cole, Layton, Ella, Abigail, Kolya, Nixen, Emersyn, Miles, Halle, Maddison, Parker, Braxton, Troy, Hudson, Jordan, Emrie, Tuff, Rhett, Tucker, Olivia and Chloe; brother Paul Kuzek; sister Petress Foga; sisters in law Helga Burdeniuk and Marie Wawryk; along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.