John Alfred Gruszecki

JOHN ALFRED GRUSZECKI aged 83, passed away suddenly on January 31, 2026, at home in Calgary, AB, with two of his loving boys with him. He lived in Calgary with his loving and supportive wife, Bridgette, with whom he was married for almost 46 years. Together they raised three boys, John Darin, Oden David and Troy Donald. John was a family man, loving husband and proud and loving grandpa and uncle which were titles he wore well. 

He is survived by sons John Darin, Oden David (wife Michelle), Troy Donald (wife Paula) and grandchildren Justin, Megan, Evan, Kaitlyn, Jackson and Isabella as well as an anticipated great-granddaughter (May 2026) and sisters Helen Bourgonje and Judy Friesen as well as numerous other relatives who will all miss his jokes, witty and commentary. 

John was born in Vita, Manitoba on April 23, 1942, and grew up on a family farm near Tolstoi, Manitoba. John later moved to Winnipeg where he met the love of his life Bridgette at a housewarming party for Bridgette’s cousin Doraine (1977). Three years later they were married on April 19, 1980. Shortly after they moved to Calgary, which is where they raised the three boys. After moving they still took regular trips back to Winnipeg in the summer where many precious  memories were made with extended family. One favorite was a trip to Expo 86’.

Upon moving to Calgary, John and Bridgette and the boys joined St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church and it is within this church family that John supported his wife and children, encouraging them to follow the faith in which they were raised. Dinners in the family home always always started with praying before meals, thanking the Lord for these thy gifts we are about to receive, a traditional Catholic prayer of grace and thanksgiving. John was also a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. John was a man who lived out his faith by regularly attending church, loving his wife, his children and helping anyone who needed help especially with their cars. He also embraced many extended family members into his home with his wife where everyone felt welcome and loved and food was always available. Whether for a short stay (days or weeks) or longer stays (months and years), the numbers are high for those who called the Gruszecki home their home, if only for that time. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9).

Anyone who knew John knows of his great love of  tinkering with cars in his spare time and then later building model cars and trucks with his grandchildren. 

John spent his professional years until he retired at Canada Post and then for a time in his shop, Sunset Auto Repairs. John also loved a good simple coffee. No need for fancy foam, just a warm cup of coffee and an old show on TCC (the classics Chanel) and he was a happy man. Take him for a car ride and he was in his glory! 

John and his wife, through their faith and marriage have been an example to many family members of faithfully serving each other and loving through all the twists and turns in life, with faith, strength and love. John accepted the difficulties in his later years so well, partly because of the continued love and support of his wife, whose faith continues to show us all how to live and love right.

While John may have understood that his time on earth would not last forever, he wanted to share his tools with a few grandchildren which he did just days before he passed. While John could not be with his wife (she was recovering from surgery) when he passed on in the early morning of January 31st, he had two of his boys by his side, which brings us all comfort as we grieve a man we all love so much. And we grieve with hope that we will see John again (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Lung Association. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 7th at 1 pm. at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, 541 Silvergrove Drive. Burial will follow at Queens Park Cemetery 3219 4 St NW at 2:00 pm. Light lunch immediately after the burial at Oden and Michelle Gruszecki’s house at 188 Riverwood Close SE. at 3:00 pm.

Our Heavenly Father we thank you for accompanying us every moment of our life,  and as we Trust in You, we thank you for embracing us especially at the hour of death. We trust in You Lord.

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