Juska – Vladas (Walter) Jaskevicius was born on June 3rd, 1920 in the Lithuanian Village of Kalesnykai. After schooling and compulsory military service he started working for the railroad. In 1944 the winds of war blew him to Germany where he was again employed on the railroad.
There he met and fell in love with Jadvyga (Judy) Janulevicius and they were married on October 6th, 1945. In the fall of 1949 they came to Brooks where he worked on John Lokis’ farm for six months.
In April, 1950 he started working as a section man for the CPR. He shortened their name to Juska and everyone knew him as Walter. He retired in 1978 because of health concerns. He was predeceased by his mother Marta, his father Antanas, a brother Juozas, a sister Birute, a granddaughter Deanna, a grandson Patrick and his beloved wife Judy on Nov. 15th, 1991. Surviving are three sons, John (with his wife Jane) residing in Grande Prairie, Raymond (with his wife Florence) living in Brooks and Don (and his wife Anita) also in Brooks.
He has eight grandchildren and in Lithuania has three sisters, two brothers and many nephews and nieces. Walter was an avid fisherman and enjoyed playing cards and visiting with other members of the Brooks Lithuanian Community.
He loved having life around him and fed birds, grew flowers, raspberries and strawberries and maintained a garden for himself and for his family. He never forgot his Lithuanian homeland and family but came to love Canada, Brooks and his many friends. His greatest loves were his wife Judy, his children and his grandchildren.
Walter passed away in Brooks on February 8, 2003.
He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.
Prayer services were held at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, February 11th from St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, February 12th from St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
The Very Reverend Bryan Frank Celebrant. Honorary Pallbearers are Jennifer Juska, Amber Juska, Holly Juska, Jael Juska and Cheryl Juska. Active Pallbearers are Don Juska, Ray Juska, John Juska, Travis Juska, Adam Juska and Jarrid Juska.
In Memory of Walter, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to Canadian Cancer Society, #102, 1865 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat T1A 1Z8. Arrangements in care of Smith Funeral Home. Telephone 362-4636 or 1-866-362-4652.
