Obituary of Stanley A Rokosh

STANLEY A ROKOSH April 20, 1919 Ituna, SK December 27, 2015 Invermere, BC It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Stanley Rokosh on Sunday, December 27, 2015 at the age of 96 years. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 58 years, Doris, two sisters and six brothers. Stan was born and raised on the family farm just outside of Ituna, Saskatchewan. After completing high school, he enlisted in the army on September 6, 1940. Advancing quickly through the ranks from Private to Captain, he remained in Canada as an arms instructor for the infantry. After the war, he attended the University of Saskatchewan, earning his degree in Civil Engineering. It was during this time that he met and married the love of his life, Doris Bush. He then established Rokosh Engineering and Construction, which he operated until 1983, and was active in the road building industry in and around southern Alberta. During this time he was also active in and the president of the Calgary branch of the Engineering Institute of Canada. He gave his time to many other clubs and organizations as well. As his retirement approached, he accepted a position teaching fourth year Engineering students at the University of Calgary. Stan had a deep and quiet faith in God, which led him to participate in many church activities from serving on building committees to singing in the choir. He was interested in current events, politics, science and sports, which made him a great conversationalist. He really enjoyed people, and could always be found talking to others on the street. In 1983, he and Doris retired to Invermere. They both enjoyed their new community immensely, appreciating the friendships they made there. Loving the outdoors and physical activity, he was an avid skier, and until the age of 95, he curled, golfed, skated on the lake, was an avid gardener, and maintained the family cottage which he had built in Windermere. He had a great sense of humour, and was well known for his jokes and story telling. Stan was often an emcee at large gatherings, and through his life, he had many close friends and a great many acquaintances. His family meant a great deal to him, and he was a great source of comfort and encouragement to them. Stan is survived by his children, Janet (Clarence Graff), Linda (Gordon McLeod), Bob (Rose), and William (Ronalda), sixteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, his brother Ted, sister Emily and his very dear friend Bernice Stone. The family wishes to extend their thanks to the doctors and nurses at the Invermere and District Hospital as well as the care givers and staff of Columbia Garden Village. A funeral mass for Stan will be on Saturday, January 9th, 2016 at 1:00 pm at Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church, (1210 - 9th Street, Invermere, BC). In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, a donation in Stan's memory can be made to the Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church Building Fund, PO Box 128, Invermere, British Columbia, V0A 1K0 or a charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service. Condolences for the family can be offered at: www.mcphersonfh.com