June 4, 1933 to July 2, 2021

 

To say we loved our father would be an understatement – and to say we are going to miss him would be an even greater understatement.

Dads are someone to look up to and admire, learn from, respect, brag about and someone, most of all, to share everything this life

has to offer. Our Father, Alex Rezka, was indeed that man.

 

Alex was a genuinely, kind and caring person, always there for everyone, relatives, neighbors, friends and most notably his loving

wife and us, his children. Alex was an uncomplicated man, private, proud and sometimes a

little stubborn, and we loved him for it.

 

Family was everything to our father. His wife and lifelong companion, Delores, having passed on ten years ago now, was indeed the true love of his life.

They met at a young age in Thunder Bay, Ontario where they grew up together and were married at a young age.

For 55 years they shared everything life can offer. Our mother, a feisty

Italian woman, made an interesting combination with our father, a passive man of Ukrainian descent.

We, Randy, Jackie and Rod, his surviving children, were also born in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Our family moved

to Osoyoos on August 1, 1971. Our parents bought the Lakeview General Store and Lumberyard, located across

from the still present, Safari Beach Motel.

 

After selling the business in 1977, Alex found employment with the local Osoyoos Liquor Store and retired after

13 years as a government employee. Still a young man of 57, Alex then assisted his son, Randy, with his business,

Border Plumbing and Heating. Alex worked as a warehouseman for Randy until fully retiring in 2006.

Alex was an avid outdoorsman throughout his entire life. He loved fishing and hunting when he wasn’t busy

involved with us in our sports and just everyday life activities. In 1975, when the Sun Bowl Arena first opened,

Dad started coaching the Osoyoos Midget Rep hockey team and helped them win their first championship,

winning both the North and South Division. He was proud to coach his son Randy and other local boys from

well-known families such as the Hoods, Mitchells, Williams and Eisenhuts. His players loved and respected

him. That was important to Dad.

 

“Big Al” they called him. He had a set of mitts on him like Andre the Giant the boys would joke. Anyone that

has shook his hand knows just what we’re talking about.

 

Alex was a man of many talents and experiences. He was also a good athlete and hockey player in his youth.

Dad would tell us he would work two jobs, then put his hockey gear on and ride the bus across the city so he

could practice with the junior hockey club until late at night. At age 19, Alex was scouted by the Detroit Red

Wings and invited to attend their pre-season camp. He told us many times he regretted not going to their camp

at the time. Back then having a job and getting married was seemingly all more important than chasing your

dream. He always told us, his three children, to never make the same mistake. He wanted us to always pursue

what was important to us in our lives growing up. We cherished him for his honesty and all the guidance both

he and mom provided us each and every day.

 

Our father was a very patient man and a good listener. No matter who you were, he was generally interested in

what you had to say. His little life lessons taught all of us how to connect and empathize with people in our own

lives. We are grateful to have our father live to the age of 88. He was not only our role model, he was our very

best friend. We will always remember him for his cheerful nature and kind way about him. To be sure, everyone

that knew our father felt the same way.

 

A celebration of life will be held on August 13, 2:00 pm at the Rezka family home, 11727 Olympic View Drive,

Osoyoos, BC , V0H 1V4. We welcome all that knew our father and take a minute to pay their respects to this

incredible man.

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