GEORGE KASSA
June 1, 1926 - March 5, 2014
After a short battle with cancer, Dad passed away peacefully, at home, on March 05, with Patti (daughter-in-law) and Bryan (son) at his side.
Dad was born in Czechoslovakia and at the age of two, immigrated to Canada with his mother and father, Annie and John Kassa. John obtained a job with CP Railway and upon arriving in Canada, the family located in Juliet (in the Coquihalla valley). A few years later, the family moved to Princeton and Dad has lived in Princeton ever since.
In early 1945, while in high school, Dad joined the Canadian Army and was discharged in 1946. Upon his return to Princeton, he worked for Peas and Atkins and Model Transfer. In 1950, he joined the Department of Highways, working as an automotive mechanic and later as a heavy duty mechanic.
In 1985, he and Mom decided it was time to retire.
After his retirement, Dad and Mom enjoyed many years of RVing and fishing, travelling throughout BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan. They enjoyed the RV life for over 60 years. They took a couple of trips with Bryan and Patti to the Maritimes and to Maui and Oahu.
Dad loved building things— he built the house he resided in right up till his passing, constructed two recreational trailers, and helped Bryan with many building projects.
Dad had a deep sense of community responsibility and his two passions were the Fire Department and Credit Union. Dad spent 30 years with the Fire Department, of which almost 20 years was in the position of Secretary. In 1953, the community decided it would be beneficial to establish a credit union and Dad was one of the founding members, taking on the position of vice president. Two years later, he became the President, a position he held for 12 years.
After living in Princeton for almost 83 years, Dad was extremely proud to call Princeton his home and he knew a lot of its history which he was more than happy to share. For the past year, Dad found passion in looking through the boxes of old photos at the Princeton Museum and recording details of people, places, time and events. He was devoted to this task and it was made that much more enjoyable based on the close working relationship with his friend Robin Lowe, the Museum Manager.
Dad was predeceased by his parents, his siblings – Steve, Andy, John and Annie and Eva, his wife of almost 62 years, in 2012. He is survived by son Bryan and daughter in law Patti of Salmon Arm and many nieces and nephews.
He was a sweet and gentle man and will be missed by many.
We would like to thank many people - Bill and Carrie Kassa, Dad’s nephew and niece- in- law for their visits and assistance; his neighbours Janet and Rob Banks for their help, happy hours on Friday nights and being part of their kids’ lives as they grew up; Marlyn and Kyla of Community Care, all the Home Care Assistants, Dorothy and Carole at the Hospital, Dr Eva and all the helpful staff in the Pharmacy at Shoppers Drug Mart for their care and compassion for Dad which made a huge difference.
There will be a Celebration of George’s Life, at the Princeton Museum, on March 29 at 1:00 p.m. There will be an open microphone, so if you would like to share a story about Dad, we would love to hear it.
A private graveside service was held on March 11.
No flowers please. If you wish to make a donation in memory of George, please make it a charity of your choosing or to the Princeton Museum.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hansonsfuneral.ca