John Samulak

John was born at home in St. Julien, SK (Rosthern) on July 26, 1938. He was raised on his parents’ farm by his father Alex and mother Anna. He began farming at a young age and his natural ability to work with horses brought him to Calgary in 1960. John and his wife Denice met on horseback at Woods Riding Academy in Bowness.

They moved from Bowness to Springbank in 1978, where he had lots of space to do the things he loved: driving draft horses, farming hay, giving wagon rides, collecting antiques. He drove horses and wagons in many parades, including the Calgary Stampede and Cochrane Days. He enjoyed a traditional cowboy lifestyle, was a well-read man, and liked country music. He traveled to many places in the world, including a special trip to Normandy, France to see his good friends and (at one time long-lost) cousins Gilles (Annick) Samulak. John had many friends he kept in touch with over the years. He had a big heart, strong hands and true charm.

John is survived by Denice, his loving wife of 52 years, their children: Darcy (June) Samulak, Cary (Shaunna) Samulak, Anita (Chris) Lindberg, and his dearest grandchildren: Tom, Claire, Olivia and Cooper, as well as his sister in Calgary: Molly Chowanec. He was predeceased by his half-brother, Bill Hryciuk, and his brother-in-law, Joe Chowanec.

A Funeral Service will be held at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Wednesday, February 8th at 1:00pm with Pastor Warren Wiebe officiating. A genuine thank-you to the staff at St. Marguerite’s Dulcina Hospice for their kind and needed support. As an expression of sympathy and condolence, donations in John’s name can be made to the Calgary Humane Society 4455 – 110 Avenue S.E. Calgary, Alberta T2C 2T7 or online at www.calgaryhumane.ca. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca