October 14, 1926 – May 4, 2024

Martin Bucek, age 97, passed away on May 4th, 2024.

He was born October 14th, 1926 in Liesek, Slovakia, the youngest of nine children. He miraculously escaped the ravages of World War II and the Russian occupation of his homeland.

In 1950, he emigrated to Canada. He worked in the coal mines of the Crowsnest Pass, then as a carpenter In Banff. He met his loving wife, Anna Polacik in Bellevue Alberta and married her in 1952. In 1955 they moved to Winnipeg, where Leslie Bohna invited Martin to work with him as a partner at Manitoba Clothing. As a salesman, he travelled throughout the country selling suits and fabrics.

In 1957 he saw the potential of tourism in Falcon Beach Manitoba, where together with a handful of partners he built the Falcon Motor Hotel. In Falcon Beach he became an involved community member and was a founding member of the Whiteshell Community Curling Club. In 1968, Martin, Anna and family moved to Osoyoos British Columbia, renovated a motel which they named The Falcon Motel.

Martin was a passionate fisher and outdoorsman, spending much of his life catching, and many times giving his catch to friends. He and Anna were fond of music, often singing and accompanying Anna with the accordion. He was faithful parishioner and member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Osoyoos.

Martin shall be very missed. He is survived by his sons Stephen and James, his daughter in-law Kim, and grandsons Marcus, Elliot and Andreas.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am, Friday May 10, 2024 at St. Anne Catholic Church followed by interment and committal in the Osoyoos Lakeview Cemetery.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com