Jan Peter "Joe" Zukowski

Joe was born in a Work Camp in the midst of war torn Germany in 1944. After the liberation the family immigrated to Turin, Alberta in 1950. In 1953 they moved and he grew up in what is now Downtown Calgary. Joe attended school at St. Angela’s and St. Mary’s Boys School where he excelled in basketball despite his short stature.  After high school Joe coached a boy’s basketball team that won the city championships, which he was very proud of. This was the beginning of his life long love of all sports. 

Being the family oriented man that he was, Joe’s very first job was working for his older brother 
Tony in his plumbing business in Medicine 

Hat. He enjoyed the hands on experience and became the family “fixer upper” of everything. Shortly after Joe moved back to Calgary where he worked as a stock boy at the prestigious Renfrew Furs. From furs Joe went to the home improvement industry working for over 3 decades for the Revelstoke/Rona chain as manager of the distribution centre. Joe retired from Rona and then was able to perfect his golf game, joke and story telling abilities. We all looked forward to spending a day with Joe as it entailed endless corny jokes, tricks for the younger set and lighthearted stories.

Joe loved to travel to tropical locations. His favorite places were Phoenix, Scottsdale and most of all Maui where he traveled to many times. He enjoyed reminiscing about all of his travels and his adventures.

Joe’s greatest passion was to play his weekly golf game with his foursome consisting of Dave, Jim & Jimmy. During their games Joe was the regular supplier of pepperoni sticks and beer 

and white spherical objects (which were frequently lost) for the boys.

Aside from watching and playing sports, Joe’s other pastime was to combine his daily walking regimen with finding deals. He loved a good sale and often came home with bag fulls of golf balls and hats for all of our family members and sweet treats for the younger set. Joe never walked into your home empty handed, there were always good surprises.

Joe was predeceased by his parents Julian and Jadwiga, and his brothers Victor and Tony. He is survived by his two sisters Lola and Sophie, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. 

Well it’s all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it’s all right, if you live the life you please
Well it’s all right, doing the best you can
Well it’s all right, as long as you lend a hand
“End of the Line” by The Traveling Wilburys

Joe, we will miss you, but will see you at the end of the line!

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jan Peter "Joe" Zukowski, please visit our floral store.